Skip to main content

Help Hampi


Hampi is the site of many Hindu temples and is a beautiful spot set amongst hot rocks in a valley that makes you sigh with perspiration. It is here and now that the government has issued a 7 day notice to the residents of Hampi Bizaar closest to the famed Virupaksha Temple to vacate their premises. They have offered land some 6km from the township to the villagers on a rock with no running water or fertile land, away from the river that runs alongside Hampi and its famed temples.

Its biblical to build on a rock but the proposal to relocate these folks away from the river they currently frolic in doing their daily chores and enjoy relaxing beside seems baffling. If you are going to displace people (rehousing is not an option they are literally told they can move to the rock or make their own arrangements), shouldn’t you offer an equal alternative. Somewhere sewage systems can be made, electricity implemented to all homes, oh and how about some of that precious resource WATER. (I have downed 4litres a day since being here in the stifling heat so this is no truck in option!). Why make it more difficult for the everyday people who live in relative poverty already who now have to start again because of some decision from a group of folk in the capital. They have broad smiles and strong wills which would make you think otherwise but life is simple here and that is the charm of this community.

It seems against everything UNESCO should be working towards. I thought they were about the preservation of united nations environments not the complete disregard for human rights. I appreciate the need to preserve the temples, the relocation, all accept to be inevitable but if it is to be done, do it once and do it with respect and compassion for those who have to start again.

The people of Hampi have found an alternative piece of land to construct their village and with the support of the international community and pressure on the UNESCO committee this could become the more collectively acceptable answer to the relocation of the ‘New Hampi’. Please take the time to sign and share the petition to fight for the community’s relocation to fertile land and their future.

http://www.change.org/petitions/help-hampi-2

As the great Mahatma Gandhi said “Be the change in the world you want to see”

For all those planning a trip to India in the coming year/s keep abreast of the news of Hampi (LP will be very outdated in a year!) and where you can stay as all the lodgings will be relocated along with the locals. The new town will be where the heart and soul of the temples will be, not in their towering conical stone works of carefully carved gods and amongst the greedy monkeys. Make sure you support the people and visit the new town. 
Labels:
Location: Hampi, Karnataka, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My My Myanmar

I have been touched, pinched, squeezed and had my back rubbed as I was sick. Myanmar is one phenomenal place which I have so much hope for. Hope for democracy, hope for development and hope for conservation, all in a gradual process without losing its authenticity. I have felt safe, with my large amounts of cash (remember no ATM’s so budgeting became a real past time of all travellers not just the “budget” ones) and in pilgrimaging crowds, in villages and on rickety hill top roads, travelling solo or in a crowd. Not once did I fear for my personal safety or that of my belongings. I had to stop myself on the first day from being so travel weary and closed. I had to trust. I had to open up and Myanmar may well have taught me one of my greatest lessons on my Big Adventure. captive in Myanmar There were moments of democratic desire, like an aged village monk carrying a bamboo log who stopped me to ask “Do you know Aung San?” to which I replied quietly knowing it was a very c...
6 comments
Read more

Day 9 -12 Waitangi Forest to Helena Bay

I farewelled Original Sue who had joined me for the last night in Kerikeri and my host Victoria from the backpackers dropped me at the start of the Waitangi Forest to avoid a dangerous road walk.  The forest road was a hive of activity with trucks passing regularly in the first 4km.  Finally dipping off the active logging route to Te Puke Road the evidence of ancient Bush amongst falled pine felt like a very visual symbolism of Aotearoas botanical history. Right on the backblocks of New Zealands Treaty Grounds seemed all the more poignant. I reached Mt Bledisloe for lunch and the sweeping views across the Bay of Island. I also got to catch Original Jen who had gone off trail to deal with blisters and had a support crew ferrying her as needed.  The forestry road swept through Mountain Bike tracks passed the Waitangi Golf Course and finally the Treaty Grounds. Sadly they are all fenced off so my visions of a welcoming home to Waitangi were squashed. I took a brief rest is t...
4 comments
Read more

Day 16 - 23 Everyone needs good friends

The great Ocean Beach escape allowed me a day to rest while Teena worked, her daughter studied for exams and husband went on a free-dive course. I also had the pleasure of watching my trail friends come off the gnarly hike I had ahead of me. Feet up on the deck I waved them through. The Bach hospitality was wonderful. Relaxed and restorative.  The following morning Teena dropped me back to Oceans Beach with a day bag (hooray) to conquer the Bream Head Track. A beast I had been eyeing every step of Oceans beach two days prior. It was a slow exposed grassy ascent followed by a full on climb with ropes and frantic footing. So grateful not to have more weight on my back, to make these climbs simplified and sticks to steady the climb. I slipped on a tree root on a narrow section reminding me to concentrate. The views from the glimpses between the forest canopy stretched north to my yesterdays and south to my tomorrows long hike and Marsden Pt and Bream Bay. I was on the hunt for the los...
2 comments
Read more