Sadguru Sri Swamiji inaugurated the 3rd annual Bhagavad Gita conference in Hospet town on 24th December 2005 at 10 AM. Several saints, intellectuals and scholars spoke on various topics of Bhagavad Gita.
On 25th December 2005 morning, Sri Swamiji visited Hampe, the capital of the erstwhile Vijaya Nagara empire, the greatest of the South Indian empires who ruled most parts of South India in 15th and 16th centuries.
The grand and spectacular stone monuments, leftover after a massive six month pillage by Moslem invaders, will melt even the most stone hearted person. Sri Swamiji said that it is the duty of every Indian to visit this UNESCO heritage site. Hampe is vast. It is spread over 35 square kilo meters.
Sri Swamiji attending the 3rd Global Gita Conference along with several other dignitaries on stage
The Hajara Rama Mandira from outside
Bhuvaneshvari Devi idol. The presiding deity of the Vijayanagara empire. This is the state symbol of Karnataka state
A spectacular stone chariot. The stone wheels turn
Kadale Ganapathy - a giant monolithic statue of Ganesh donated by a grain merchant in 15th century
Sri Ranga Devarayulu, the present day successor of Krishna Deva Rayulu explains the details of this giant Narasimha Swamy monolithic (single stone) statue
Hundreds of metres long stone pillars are all that are left of a massive market which once existed. The stony mountainous region provided abundant materials for the skilled sculptors to work.
Beautiful designed stone steps lead to this water pond
This is all what is left of the Royal palace which once existed here - the place where the greatest of Indian emperors, King Krishna Deva Raya walked
One of the most spectacular aspects of the Hampe ruins - This is a music hall where each pillar produce soothing and amazing musical notes
Sri Swamiji is all ears listening to the sounds emanating from this pillar while another pillar is being stroked
Sri Swamiji in front of the SASIVE GANAPATHY - named after a Sasive (mustard seed) merchant who installed it
One of the hundreds of stone temples, mandirs, offices, edifices etc that dot this rocky terrain
