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Time Travel to 16th Century Bharat

Hampi - a 600 year old ancient city in northern Karnataka means many things to different people.

  • Religious Significance - Hanuman was born and brought up in nearby Kishkindha, the kingdom of Vali and Sughrev. Lord Ram stayed here for 4 months. Lord Vishnu got his Sudarshan Chakra at the Tungabhadra river. Temples around Hampi have scenes from Ramayana sculpted on their walls. There is no better place to live and re-live Ramayana than Hampi.  There were many tourists who come to Hampi to re-trace the steps of Lord Ram. 
  • Historical Significance - Hampi was build and developed by indigenous Indians. Accounts from foreigners such as Fernao Nuniz and Domingo Paes who lived in Hampi at its peak testify to this grandeur and beauty. Hampi was a city like none on the world. Its was centre of global trade and had an abundance of wealth. The people of Hampi were also brave, they successfully fought and held back the Moguls for 350 years. 
  • Art & Architecture - Hampi is poetry on stones. From town planning to architecture; art on the walls and the stones of Hampi will leave you spell bound. 

Hampi is like Disneyland for history buffs or photographers. But as I finished my week long holiday of Hampi,  3 questions troubled me 

1) Reason for Ruin - How could a place with abundance of wealth and weapons face ruins at the hands of few fanatics ? 
2) More foreign visitors than Indians -  How is it that we find more foreigners than Indians at Hampi despite its religious and cultural significance ?
3) What lessons can we learn from the ruins of Hampi ?

As my train made way to the Bangalore Central station, I had a few answers 

1) Reason for Ruin - Wealth or weapons do not make an empire. The strength of India lies in our culture. The political decline of Hampi was preceded by its cultural decline. The best way to destroy a country is to contaminate its culture. 
2) More foreigners than Indians - We are a spiritual country. Hampi has many beautiful temple structures but most of these temples have no idols. Its a like beautiful body without a soul. Foreigners appreciate external appearances, Indians need more. 
3) Lesson from the ruins - We Indians are a bunch of fighters. We have fought for 1000 years ... but we fight for only one cause - to protect Dharma. Our mythology is full of wars but with one theme - you have to fight for protecting Dharma. Prahlad killed his father, Arjuna his bothers for only cause - protect Dharma. Sadasiva - the king of Hampi who lost to Adil Shah did not even goto battle. He was so pre-occupied with Artha and Kama , he forgot Dharma. 

In Sanskrit we have a saying - 


धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

Dharma protects those who protect dharma.  

Six months ago , I visited the final resting place of Rana Pratap. At the entrance, I saw 




"Jo dridh rakhe darm ko, tahi rakhe kartar" - God protects those who protect their dharma.

Lessons from Hampi can be found at any and every place of India. The soul of our nation lies in our dharma and culture. Without it , we too like Hampi are a beautiful ruin.








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