The Temple City - Hampi

Hampi, the last Capital of Indian Hindu Empire, Vijayanagara is a World Heritage Site in India.It is very near to Andhra-Karnataka border and "Hospet" is the nearest rail head.

Significance:
Hampi has nothing but the monumental vestiges spread over nearly 20 Kms. One can wonder why these ruins have such significance? These vestiges remind us about the glorious civilization of Vijayanagara empire.Its a heart touching feel that if the ruins itself are this spectacular, what should be the beauty of the monuments, before they got ruined? the Dravidian princesses, particularly "Andhra Bhoja Sri Krishna Devarayulu" has built marvelous monuments in Hampi.

Places of Interest:

• Hampi Virupaksha Temple
• Hazararama Temple
• Kadalekula Ganesha
• Vijaya Vittala Temple
• Underground Shiva Temple
• Hampi Sunrise and Sunset
• Elephant Stubs and Lotus Mahal
• Anegundi
• Queen's Bath Place
• Tungabhadra River and Ferry
• Hampi Bazar

The Journey:
My hubby has lot of interest in sculpture and art. As there was a long weekend coming up, we planned a trip to the Temple City Hampi.We have booked the tickets till Hospet for Kolhapur express which starts from Nampalli, Hyderabad. The train was decently clean and was not over crowded.The journey was good after Guntakal junction.It was one night journey. After reaching Hosptet, the nearest Rail Head to Hampi, we have taken public transport to Hampi, which was hardly 45 mins.


Accomodation:
One can have comfortable accommodation near Hampi Virupaksha Temple in Hampi. Karnataka State Tourism Guest house Mayura Bhuvaneswari is available in Kamapura near Hampi. We can book accommodation over online.

An abode to Mother Godess : Lova

 Amidst rich natural greenery and thick paddy fields, Sri Talupulamma Ammavari Devasthamam is located 70 Km from Kakinada and 8 km from Tuni, on a Hillock between DARAKONDA and TEEGAKONDA at Lova village This is a famous village based pilgrim centre in coastal Andhra.

About the Diety :

 The inception of Thalapulamma Godess over here is "SWAYAMBHU" according to the recitals, the great Agasthyamuni performed meditation at these hills, had the fruits and drinking water and titled to hills as DARAKONDA and TEEGAKONDA respectively. There is un-interrupted flow of water through DARAKONDA ever since, its inception. The rituals in this Devasthanam are being preformed as per GRAMA DEVATHA AGAMA.

The Temple Timings are from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Sri Thalapulamma Thalli is renowned as a Goddess who blesses her devotees with the wish of their choice. People usually come here for children, wealth, prosperity and health. The usual custom is devotees come here on morning, cook the prasadam and leave the premises in the evening.The priests over the temple are non-brahmins.It is a legend that a native forest villager has found a spark in the air during his travel and went in search of that light, finally he arrived at the current idols of the Goddess at the hillock. Since the villager has discovered the Goddess, he and his descendants are serving the Goddess with great devotion. The priests don’t accept any money from the devotees who visit the temple.

Festivals

• The main festival of this Devasthanam will be celebrated in CHAITRA MASAM every year commencing from BAHULA VIDHIYA, TADHIYA (March/April) for a period of 15 days.
• During AASHADA MASAM (June-July) large number of pilgrims will visit the temple and worship the presiding Ammavaru.

Accommodation

·         The temple owns Cottages totally consists of 28 Rooms being let out by the Devasthanam to the pilgrims/Devotees visiting Ammavari Temple. There are no Guest Houses to accommodate pilgrims. It is something like a tradition that devotees will arrive at the morning and disburse by evening. Contact:08854-251133

Temple Authorities

Assitant Commissioner & Executive Officer,

Sri Talupulamma Ammavari Devasthanam, Lova,

Tuni(m),

East Godavari District

Frequent busses are available to Lova from nearest pilgrim centre Annavaram, it is just one hour journey from Annavaram.  Lova is well connected by busses from Tuni, Vizag, Samalkot, Kakinada and Rajahmundry. The nearest Railway head is Tuni Road.