In Frames | Ruining the majestic ruins

Environmentalists and tourists express concern over quarrying activities around the World Heritage Site of Hampi in Vijayanagara district of Karnataka

Hampi, located in the hilly region of Vijayanagara district in Karnataka, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dotted with monuments built during the Vijayanagara empire that ruled between AD 1336 and 1570, its landscape is made even more fascinating by the massive boulders that encompass the terrain.

It served as the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara empire. This historic site has multiple places of importance including the Virupaksha temple, Lotus Mahal, the queens’ bathing area, musical pillars, a stone chariot, and an elephant stable, all of which tell stories of the bygone era.

The Virupaksha temple is regarded as the most sacred temple at Hampi. The Tungabhadra river courses around the rocky terrain.

Tourists, history enthusiasts and archaeologists from all over the world come here, especially in the monsoon, as clouds enhance the beauty of the place and the weather makes the long treks less exhausting.

However, a matter of concern is regarding stone quarrying activity that one witnesses around the place. One can see men chipping away at the rocks near Bukkasagara between Hampi and Anegundi. Anegundi, also called as Kishkinda, has many historical monuments as well. Tourists hear explosives being used to blast the rocks, leaving them worried about the safety of the heritage site. Environmentalists express concern that even after the signboard put up by the Forest Department which says ‘Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve’, quarrying is happening in surrounding areas.