When Kovind was bowled over by Hampi
DH News Service, Hosapete, Jul 21 2017, 2:24 IST
Ram Nath Kovind, President-elect, seen at the Vijaya Vittala temple complex during his visit to Hampi, Ballari district, in 2012.
Not many know that the President-elect Ram Nath Kovind has a special relationship with Unesco World Heritage site Hampi. Kovind’s maiden visit to the erstwhile capital city of Vijayanagar empire was in 2011, when he was busy with the organisational work of the BJP.
It was a brief and surprise visit though but he was impressed with the rich architecture and promised to visit again soon, said, Chandrakanth Kamath, member, Hosapete CMC.
A year later, Kovind visited Hampi and spent three days in the city of ruins. He performed special puja at Virupaksha Temple, the presiding deity of Hampi, for world peace.
He visited Vijaya Vittala Temple, Sapthaswara Mantap, stone chariot, Mahanavami Dibba, Krishna Temple, Anesaalu Mantap, Krishna Bazaar, Ugra Narasimha and Sasvekaalu Ganapathi. At every monument, he spent at least half-an-hour, collecting information from the guide, Kamath said.
Kamath recalled Kovind telling him, “I have travelled the length and breadth of the country but I have not seen a place like Hampi, an architectural wonder. We must preserve the monuments for posterity.”
CM congratulates Kovind
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has congratulated Ram Nath Kovind on being elected the 14th President of India. Siddaramaiah has wished Kovind to contribute towards building a great nation and ushering in social equality, according to an official press release, issued in Bengaluru.