The largest city of it's time Hampi was fortified with several entrances. In the present day the major gateways have survived however they are in ruins. There are at least six such gateways- 1. Sringarada Hebbagilu, 2. Bhimana Hebbagilu, 3. Huvina Bagilu, 4. Talarighatta Hebbagilu, 5. Penukonda Hebbagilu, and 6. the domed gateway. There could be many more gateways on the outer walls like the Kadae Bagilu which is close to Anegundi village. And there could be more to be discovered.
Huvina Bagilu is about 200 meters from Bhojana Shala, on the left hand side while going towards Virupaksha Devastana.
The gateway seems to be a work-in-progress project when Vijayanagara fell.
The vertical block on the right hand side has a series of pits along the edge. I think a few inches was to be trimmed off the side face but it never happened. If you see the similar block on the opposite side, it's face is even. The former also should've been finished like that.
Those are the inner side of the gateway, I think. Right under the arch of the gateway is a shrine dedicated to Hanuman. Besides it is a small doorway to a chamber. Probably that was the guard's chamber. A makeshift fence barricaded the way further which goes into a private farm land.
Like I mentioned earlier, the column was meant to be sculpted with decorative murals. The work had ceases abruptly.. probably when Hampi fell to the invading armies.
On the platforms flanking the passage, mantapa were supposed to be erected. Had this gateway been complete, it would've been a grand structure and called Hebbagilu instead of Bagilu.
Nothing more to see here, we move on towards the underground Shiva temple.
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