Is this a ritual or custom of a bygone era? Were people so hospitable that they used to serve their guests free meals on stone plates carved in a row and connected to a main water channel? Or maybe, these were used by people for public festivals or picnics?
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Well, believe it or not, during the glorious Vijaynagar period, it seems nobody went hungry especially travellers, guests and visitors to the kingdom. They were served food maybe every day or during celebrations or festive occasions.
The relics of the BHOJANA SHALA at Hampi that are displayed inside a verdant garden but hardly see any footfall.
Not many people can be seen in this coconut garden as most visitors are busy viewing either the Virupaksha or the Vijay Vittala Temple complex in the World Heritage Site of Hampi in Ballari District of Karnataka, India. On the eastern side of the famous Octagonal Water Pavilion is the Bhojana Shala on the road from Kamalapur to Hampi.
The old stone meals plates that are laid down on either sides of a water channel like structure is unique and clearly depicts the customs followed 500 years ago. This water channel runs for 23 meters between two rows of rock slabs that have small and big depressions for keeping either the Sambar or curd or curries.
The big circular depressions are shaped like plates. Some cavities shaped as a banana leaves are carved in the stones as well. This was maybe for placing rice or rotis while the smaller depressions were meant for side dishes. However, surprisingly, some plates have two, some have four depressions and the plate size also varies from one end of the row to another. People were so ingenious that these depressions have small inlets for draining out water for easy cleaning.
It is a well-known fact that the Vijaynagar rulers had an elaborate and incomparable system of channels laid down for distribution of water for their needs. Further, the recent discovery of ancient water pipelines near the Octagonal Water Pavilion clearly shows how modern were Vijaynagar rulers in developing their hydraulic engineering techniques.
Excavations are still continuing around the site and here is hoping for more such incredible discoveries.
Location map:
Music: https://www.bensound.com
Well, believe it or not, during the glorious Vijaynagar period, it seems nobody went hungry especially travellers, guests and visitors to the kingdom. They were served food maybe every day or during celebrations or festive occasions.
The relics of the BHOJANA SHALA at Hampi that are displayed inside a verdant garden but hardly see any footfall.
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| Expertly and intricately carved out plates and side dish holders |
Not many people can be seen in this coconut garden as most visitors are busy viewing either the Virupaksha or the Vijay Vittala Temple complex in the World Heritage Site of Hampi in Ballari District of Karnataka, India. On the eastern side of the famous Octagonal Water Pavilion is the Bhojana Shala on the road from Kamalapur to Hampi.
The old stone meals plates that are laid down on either sides of a water channel like structure is unique and clearly depicts the customs followed 500 years ago. This water channel runs for 23 meters between two rows of rock slabs that have small and big depressions for keeping either the Sambar or curd or curries.
 |
| The number of side dish holders varies from plate to plate. |
The big circular depressions are shaped like plates. Some cavities shaped as a banana leaves are carved in the stones as well. This was maybe for placing rice or rotis while the smaller depressions were meant for side dishes. However, surprisingly, some plates have two, some have four depressions and the plate size also varies from one end of the row to another. People were so ingenious that these depressions have small inlets for draining out water for easy cleaning.
 |
| The rims designed to avoid spillage yet does not hinder effective cleaning |
It is a well-known fact that the Vijaynagar rulers had an elaborate and incomparable system of channels laid down for distribution of water for their needs. Further, the recent discovery of ancient water pipelines near the Octagonal Water Pavilion clearly shows how modern were Vijaynagar rulers in developing their hydraulic engineering techniques.
Excavations are still continuing around the site and here is hoping for more such incredible discoveries.
Nicely written blog. This is one area that is least visited by tourists. We had a wonderful water connecting system that was also seen in the water bodies of Bengaluru ifthe 16 th century. We have forgotten this wisdom esp after the mughals ruled.
ReplyDeleteYes, at the same time it a healthier way of eating as these were carved on the granite stones.
ReplyDelete