If stones could speak...



...of the glories of Hampi



Storied halls, Vittala Temple, Hampi



Twin elephants at the chariot's head
Stare at me, in unblinking gaze
Pillars that sang to fingers' tunes
Now stand guard, in silent strength

This winter morn, the placid sun
Shines upon my kin in stone-
Deities and heroes of folklore,
Gods, goddesses, avatars galore  
Mythical birds with mighty wings,
Monkey lords and majestic kings
Seers, ministers, battle scenes,
Vimanas, wheels, interlocking stone 

Languorous winds, nodding trees,
Scented earth, eucalyptus breeze.





Shadows and stone



Amidst us all, they ebb and flow,
Those that seek the long ago:

The echoes of emperors past

Shadows of the kingdom lost



Carving of a Yali



My elephant-tusks and lion-mane
Granite body and serpent's tail
Have seen all in their span of time-
Victory parades, untold wealth,
The empire rise, the empire fall,
Battles, treachery, forsaken cause
Temples plundered, silenced faith
Glorious city to hamlets shrunk


My proud town is in ruins, it is said
Laid to waste over sweeping spread. 
But the fire, the spirit, vital force
Endures, returns, living through Us all.


Us, the creatures in deathless granite
Us, the defiant slabs of stony might
Us, unspeaking warriors of our Truth
Not in ruins, never to be rued.

                                                            

        - Musings of a granite Yali, Hampi

Yali (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yali_%28Hindu_mythology%29)Yali ([jaːɭi]; also known as Vyala or Vidala in Sanskrit) is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. In its iconography and image the yali has a catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant (gaja) and tail of a serpent.



The sentinels of Hampi