So it was a delayed start from Badami after getting our car washed. Enquired at the hotel lobby about the route to hospet, and they confirmed the route suggested by TheMAG and Smsrini, Belur and left turn to Gajendragarh and then continue straight to Kushtagi to meet NH 13 and turn right towards Hospet.
The day before I was scared to drive through a fair going on around the Banashankari temple, and got it clarified I can take a bypass which goes around Banashankari and I don't have to drive through that mad rush.
I was also apprehensive about the road condition from the reports between Belur and Gajendragarh, but he was little surprised and assured me that nothing wrong with the road.
So we followed the route, the first right turn is for Banashankari bypass, clearly marked. The left turn towards Gajendragar is almost at the end of Belur, so asked couple of times for the direction, but don't worry, it is again clearly marked.
The road condition was pretty ok, with some portion getting fresh coat of tar, and getting widened as well, so any body travelling after a month's time should have a smooth tarmac. Alternate route isto travel straigt till Ron, and then take a left towards Gajendragarh, this way all the roads are proper two laned road.
After reaching Rushtagi, came to a T-junction showing Bijapur to left, so I quickly took a right only to realize, I have to follow the Bijapur direction for a while and after reaching NH 13, take the right turn
We were pretty apprehensive whether we will hit the similar traffic jam, but today luck was in our favour and there was none, so we took the left turn opposite to the TB Dam and proceeded towards Hampi. Reached Kamalapura Mayura hotel at around 3:00 just before they were closing their lunch. So had a hearty meal, and then completed the check-in formalities over there, and hopped on the car again for the next round.
There is a road almost opposite to Mayura (a left and immediate right, to be precise) which leads to Hampi. First place which came on the way is Saraswati temple.
Note that this templa has two Garbhagriha (Sanctum's) seen from two Stupa's (the other one at the distance is the Gopuram)
A little ahead is the Queen's bath, a very plain structure from outside, however nice from inside. On the roof there was some work earlier (seen from early photograph) but none is in existence now.
Further ahead on the same road is Octagonal bath.
And then comes the Prasanna Virupaksha or Underground Shiva temple. This temple could not be ventured into, as lot of water was stagnating there. The authorities should act immediately before it does irreparable damage to the temple.
Note the roof of the temple (beyond the first structure which is a gate) is at the ground level.
We took a diversion in front of this temple, which leads to after a T- junction, Zenana enclosure in the left fork and Hazara Rama Temple and Mahanavami Dibba on the right.
Temple view from the front.
The cournece, not easily visible, is still ornamental.
There are few granite pillars within the temple mainly made out of sandstone. This is the only place where use of Granite was observed.
Hazara Rama Temple from back side
The sculptures on the wall
Mahanavami Dibba
Next to Mahanavami dibba there is a spectacular stepped tank, the geomatrical symmetry just take your breath away. This tank was filled by the aquaduct, which also can be seen there.
We thought it will be a good idea to pick up a guide book on Hampi, and it was almost the closing time of shops we rushed towards Hampi bazar. At the entrance we were charged Rs 40 (Rs 20 for entry and Rs 20 for parking) for the car. It could be a good idea to park it before this point, as cars are only allowed another 500 m or so, beyond this point.
So we parked the car in the bus stand, and rushed towards the bookshop (located near Birupaksha temple) and picked up Hampi Ruins by A.H. Longhurst. The other two which I liked (but didn't pick
) were Hampi travel guide puablished by Eicher and Hampi by Fritz and Michell, this one is highly recommended (I might buy this one, if I find one in here).
Entered the Virupaksha temple gopuram, but decided to come back early morning next day. Lights were slowly fading away, so we came back quickly and saw the Kadlekalu Ganesha.
The temple that houses Ganesha.
By the time we reached the other Ganesha, it was already six and promptly closed by the security there. So came back to the hotel, read part of the book just bought, negotiated for some guides but finally decided against, had dinner and called it a day.
End of day 3, however Hampi continues...