Whispers of the past

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India. The group of monuments - ancient temples, majestic palaces and intricate ruins - are left from the once-capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled this area from the 14th to the 16th centuries CE. During the reign of King Krishnadevaraya, from 1509 to 1529, the city underwent significant expansion and was filled with art and architecture, attracting visitors and traders from all over the world. However, Hampi lost its Midas touch in 1565 when it faced defeat in the Battle of Talikota.
© Images of india/Alamy