Hampi is believed to be the ancient site of Kishkinda, the fabled kingdom of the Vanaras [van-nara, forest-humans] mentioned in the Ramayana. If your children are into mythology, you can design an entire Ramayana tour for them here, starting with the Anjanadri Hill mentioned earlier.
Here it was...
by the Pampa Sarovara, that Rama found Shabari waiting for him, with an offering of the most delicious fruits from the forest (she had tasted dozens to find the best ones!).
Here is Rishyamukha, where Rama and Lakshmana met Hanuman for the first time.
Here Matanga, the one place in Kishkinda where Sugriva was safe - a curse kept his impulsive, hot-headed brother Vali from ever setting foot there.
Here Malyavanta, where the princes of Ayodhya lived, while Hanuman went to look for Sita... But it isn’t just Rama-lore in Hampi. There is also the Hemakuta Hill, where Parvati is believed to have performed years of rigorous penance to attract Shiva’s attention - she finally succeeded, turning the hermit Shiva into the householder Shankara; the Virupaksha Temple at the base of the hill celebrates their marriage.
Then there are the other stories.
Like the one about the founding of the empire, the one in which the brothers Hakka and Bukka, haunted by the sight of a hare chasing their hounds on a hunting trip to these parts, begged their guru - the sage Vidyaranya - to guide them, and on his advice founded what would eventually become the Vijayanagara Empire.
Yup, there are many, many stories... waiting to be told in Hampi.
Make sure you engage a good guide!
~bron~
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