Hampi – The Other Side of the Coin
Published on: 02/11/2021
Sloth Bear – Photograph: Bhargava Srivari
Since childhood, I knew of Hampi as a significant site for its rich history. We have all studied about Hampi as the capital of the famous Vijayanagar kingdom, where jewels were sold in stacks on the roadside. Such was the wealth in the city of Hampi. I even visited Hampi as a kid, touring its many well-known temples and heritage sites. However, it was only many years later after I took interest in wildlife and nature that I learned of the rich biodiversity in the Hampi region – in terms of its diverse habitat along with its mammal and avian life.
In 2012, I had made another trip to the region, this time with the objective of exploring the flora and fauna that have made Hampi their home. Topping the list of animals, I wanted to see there in the wild was the enigmatic Sloth Bear, found in healthy numbers in the nearby Daroji bear sanctuary. I chose a hot summer afternoon to venture into the sanctuary in search of these surprisingly agile creatures, which are often mistakenly regarded as lazy, and was lucky to spend time in close quarters observing seven (7) bears feeding on honey on the same hill. This remains one of my most treasured moments in the wild and got me hooked to bears for life. What more, if luck smiles upon you, you could also stumble upon a wild Leopard basking in the Sun on one of the many rocks in the reserve! Since then, I have planned several trips tracking bears in the wild, and just cannot get enough of them.
The next morning, I decided to skip bear tracking and instead explore the region’s birdlife. Along the many canals in the area, I was able to photograph a wide variety of avian wonders including the Indian Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Spotted Owlet, Painted Sandgrouse, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Jungle Bush Quail, Grey Francolin, Painted Spurfowl, Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark, and several water birds in the nearby lakes. It is also possible to find the endemic and threatened Yellow-throated Bulbul.
Indian Eagle Owl – Photograph: Bhargava Srivari
The famous Elephant Stables of Hampi stand testament to the importance the Vijayanagara Rayas placed on them. Built to house the Royal elephants, it is an elaborate rectangular structure with a row of eleven doomed chambers each built to house two elephants. It is one of the finest examples of Indo –sultanate architecture still standing in Hampi.Given my experience, I strongly recommend everyone visiting Hampi to set aside at least a day of your trip understanding and exploring the wildlife in the area in addition to visiting sites of historical importance, and I assure you that you will come back cherishing every moment spent doing so!
Bhargava Srivari
Bhargava Srivari is a management consultant by profession and a wildlife photographer by passion. His work has been published in national and international magazines and newspapers, and he was recently awarded the distinction of Associate of the Royal Photographic Society Great Britain which is the oldest photography society in the world. he can be contacted at srivarib@gmail.com
The Tiger of the Skies: An encounter with the Peregrine Falcon
Butterfly Safari in the Western Ghats: a possibility? - Part 2
A Photographer’s Guide to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Light, dust, dramatic skies and the art of capturing desert wildlife
Butterfly Safari in the Western Ghats: a possibility?
Desert Bones and Dust Trails: Reading the Kalahari’s Ancient Ground
Life in the Sands: The Surprising Riches of the Kalahari
Peek into Coorg’s Culture at Madikeri’s Government Museum
The Kalahari in Miniature: What You Miss When You Only Look for Big Game
Anegundi’s quiet empire of women: the banana-fibre story
Little Feet, Ancient Rhythms: Young Keepers of the Kodava Culture
Water, Wildlife, and the Art of Waiting in the Kalahari
Tracking Wildlife: What the Sand Tells You in the Kalahari
Singing of confluences, tangible and intangible
Strange Encounters: What We See and What We Miss
Water, Stone, and Empire: Reading Vijayanagara in the Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace
The Unusual Suspects: Creatures You Didn’t Expect in the Kalahari
The Ultimate Family Safari: Multigenerational Travel in Africa Creates Unforgettable Bonds
Locking Horns: An Afternoon with the Other King
The Arboreal By-lanes of Coorg: A Street Photographer's Foray into Bird Photography
Lone Warrior: An Encounter with the Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Under the Kalahari Sky: A Journey Through Africa’s Night Sky
Reptilian Sibilances, Mollusc Stillnesses, Fern Rustlings
Sri Purandara Mantapa: A hall that echoes the raagas of devotion
Cultural Extravaganza: Kodava Music & Dance Forms
The Kalahari Skies: An Everchanging Canvas of Colour
The San People of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Guardians of an Ancient Culture
Anegundi: ‘Monkey Business’ in the ‘Elephant Pit’
African Wild Dogs - one of Africa's most captivating carnivores and most endangered species
Discovering the Brown Hyenas of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Sound of Life
Five Wildlife Sightings You Can Expect Without Going on Safari
Into the Valley of Deception: The Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Cup That Cheers: The Changing Taste of Coffee
Craft Calling: Traditional Lambani Arts and Crafts and the Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra
An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Language of Deception
An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Sound of Tardiness
Taking Terrific Photos on Safari: Getting the Trophy Shot
Adapt and Survive: Reaching the Pinnacle of Specialisation
Into the night – nocturnal life in the Kalahari
An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: The Seen and the Sawing
Hampi Ruins in the 1900s: Stellar Photographs From A Forgotten Historical Text
Touring Kabini with Your Eyes Closed: An Aural Journey through Nagarahole: Alarms True and False
North Karnataka’s Threesome — Badami, Aihole, & Pattadakallu
Hampi Ruins in the 1900s — The Gateways into the City
A Lone Porcupine fights off an entire pride of Lions!
The cute little denizens of the Kamalapura Palace, Hampi
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Jallad Roti | Akki Roti
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Qubani ka Meetha and Shahjahani ka Meetha
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Murgh-e-Lazeez
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Nizami Machali ka Salan
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Dum ki Nalli
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Anapa Ginjala Pulusu
An Aural Journey through Kabini: Pre-Dawn Critters and Jitters
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Raan-e-Kamalapura
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Baghara Baingan
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Natukodi Pulusu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tondekai Palya
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Royala Igaru
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Koli Chuttada
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Karibelle Cutlet
The Battle of Talikota and the Sacking of Hampi
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kori Ghee Roast
Ten Interesting Facts About the Kalahari Desert
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vazhachundum Thoran
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Mezze Platter
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Grilled Pork Ribs
An Aural Journey through Kabini: The Beginnings
Harihara & Bukka: founders of the Vijayanagara Empire
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pazham Puzhungiyathu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Peppercorn chocolate mousse
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kabsah Laham Bis
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vazhakanda Thoran
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Banana Bajji
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pazham pori
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Joojeh – e – Koobideh
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Vegetable Kurma
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Pandi Curry
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kerala Fish Curry
Nalknad Palace – off the beaten track in Coorg
Designing the Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum
Why you should put a backwater boat safari at the forefront of your Kabini visit – 2
Why you should put a backwater boat safari at the forefront of your Kabini visit – 1
Chikka Veerarajendra of Coorg and his Thirteen Wives
The Architecture of Ainmanes: Form follows Function
Kodava Ainmanes – the heart of the Kodava Clan
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Sutta Sigadi Mathu Hannugalu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Masala Raagi Cheela
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tandoori Zaffrani Paneer & Tandoori Phool
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Tumbida Ginnu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Raagi Mudde Bassaru
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Hurida Meke Mamsa
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Masala Hoo Kosu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kuruba Adina Saru
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Sutta Naati Koli
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Savatekayi Suttadu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Kendadali urida sigadi mathu meenu
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Bidirinalli Beyisida Koli
From the Kitchens of Evolve Back – Hurida Koli
First glimpse of god – the Black Panther of Kabini
The Battle of Raichur: The Beginning of the End