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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For all those planning a trip to India in the coming year/s keep abreast of the news of Hampi (LP will be very outdated in a year!)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. 

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Location: Hampi, Karnataka, India

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