Happy in HAMPI!

We all know Hampi as a site of historical beauty. The author takes us to glimpse a completely different side of this fascinating region.

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Standing atop the Matunga hill of Hampi, one is awestruck by the sheer splendour of the landscape. Along the vast basin of the river Tungabhadra, which meanders through the northern part of this fifteenth-century capital of the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagara, are rocky outcrops, craggy hillocks and congregations of granite boulders having grey, pink or ochre tones. On the other hand, the enthralling presence of the ruins of ancient temples and numerous monuments scattered all over the 41 sq. km, gives testimony to its glorious past.

Geographically, Hampi is located in the east-central part of Karnataka, in the district of Bellary. The rugged rockstrewn landscape encompasses several wetlands, lakes and dry deciduous scrub and thorn forests of the southern variety. This typicality of landscape, coupled with its geographic situation and conducive climatic condition, have contributed in making it a safe haven for various kinds of birds for nesting, breeding, and rearing of chicks. As many as 200 species of birds are found in Hampi and its neighbouring plains. Among the inhabitant species of its rocky outcrops and scrub jungles, the globally threatened Yellow-throated bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus) is endemic to Hampi and its neighbourhood, and especially prized for the community of birders and wildlife photographers. The other precious denizens include Grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), Painted spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata), Red spurfowl (Galloperdix spadicea), Jungle bush-quail (Perdicula asiatica), Rock bush-quail (Perdicula argoondah), Barred button-quail (Turnix suscitator), Painted sandgrouse (Pterocles indicus), Brown fish-owl (Ketupe zeylonensis), Indian eagle-owl (Bubo bengalensis), and many more.