Monkey Feeding

Hanuman Temple, Hampi, India

Photo © Maciej Klimowicz - All Rights Reserved (Click to Enlarge)

It takes some effort to reach Hanuman temple in Hampi. First you need tocrossthe river – with a cheap motorboat or more expensive but also more romantic basket boat. Than after a long walk you reach the bottom of a hill with the temple on the top. All it takes to get there is to climb a few hounded steps inthe burning sun.

The temple itself is disappointing – rather small, unimpressive. But it’s notabout the architecture, it’s about the divine. Hanuman is the monkey God andhis temple proves it – monkeys own the place, play out in the sun or seek cover in the shade inside, get fed by the worshipers and steal whatever comes in their sight form the tourists. If you want your flip flops safe, give them to a man sitting next to the temple wall. He’ll guard them for you – for a couple o rupees of course.