HAMPI
Camp Code: FSL–WHV–205
(Heritage / Awareness / Culture / Education)
Once upon a time, Hampi-Vijayanagara, located in central Karnataka, was the medieval world’s second-largest city after Beijing, and India’s richest, attracting traders from as far as Persia and Portugal. Hampi fell into ruins when the Vijayanagara Empire was defeated and pillaged by a coalition of Deccan Muslim sultanates in 1565. It is now a UNESCO world heritage site, visited by thousands of travellers due to its breathtaking temples, intricate sculptures and monuments, which give an insight into the splendour and architectural skills of the ancient Hindu kingdom.
The Camp: The work camp at Hampi will concentrate on the protection of its cultural heritage, sites of historical importance and on creating awareness among the locals, school children, tour-guides and tourists, to infuse a sense of responsibility towards the protection of these priceless monuments. For the last 10 years, FSL India has been working in tandem with UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the management of local schools, local NGOs, INTACH and the local tour guide association. Here, you will help to convert dry areas into beautiful, restful spots by planting trees and flowering plants. Street plays to create awareness, creativity, physical work and archaelogical delights are all hallmarks of this unique work camp.
Activities:
- Clean up the scrub around monuments dating back to 1 CE, to preserve and maintain their beauty and cultural heritage
- Help to combat global warming and also create pleasant, green spots by planting trees and flowering shrubs
- Awaken your thespian skills with a Street Play, to create awareness of heritage conservation to the locals
- Conduct a drawing competition for schoolchildren, help showcase their talent by setting up an open gallery
- Instil national pride in schoolchildren , make them aware of their rich cultural and historical heritage
- Install garbage bins in the community, help manage waste
- Use your creativity to educate the public on heritage conservation , paint murals in public areas
Leisure Activities: Some of the fun things to do at Hampi are taking a coracle ride in the nearby Tungabhadra river. These round cane boats have been a mode of transport here from the 15th century. You can also hire a bicycle and take the trail down to any of the interesting ruins, go bouldering or trekking.
Some must-visits are Vijaya Vittala, the extraordinary architectural marvel with 56 musical pillars, which create melodic sounds when tapped delicately, the stunning Virupaksha and Krishna temples, the Royal Enclosure with the Queen’s bath and Lotus Mahal (palace).
Anegundi, or Kishkindha, the capital of the Vijayanagar empire is a fine repository of neolithic history and prehistoric rock art, represented by Mourya Mane, a several-thousand-year-old Stone Age colony. You can visit the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god, or peek at the ancient elephant stable, where the city’s elephants were fed, bathed and trained for battle and other activities.
Location: Hampi is located in the state of Karnataka, 350 kilometres north of Bangalore, and 13 kilometres from Hospet
Transport:
Nearest international Airports – Bangalore, Mumbai, Panjim
Nearest railway station – Hospet (13 kms) Bus services available from – Bangalore, Goa
The exact meeting point will be mentioned in the info sheet
Accommodation:: You will stay at a rented guest house or hostel, with shared rooms
NINARWA 