BhāratShakti, Sri Aurobindo Society was one of the collaborators for the Pondicherry Invention Festival (July 18-20, 2025) organised by Aurodhan, Pondicherry under the theme “Invent in India”. On July 18, 2025, Dr. Beloo Mehra, Director, BhāratShakti, participated as a panelist at a session titled ‘Exploring Hampi as a Template for Understanding Inner Architecture”. This was organised at Aurodhan Gallery.
While summarising the work she had recently done on Hampi, namely, curating a photography exhibition at Sri Aurobindo Ashram Exhibition House and preparing an exhibition as part of an interdisciplinary learning project for school students, Dr. Mehra highlighted that her focus throughout was to situate the historical and cultural legacy of Vijayanagara or Hampi within Sri Aurobindo’s insightful description and commentary on various aspects of Indian Civilisation and Culture, including History, Art and Architecture.
She said that Sri Aurobindo gives us an entirely new way, a new drishti, to see and experience India. This is what shaped her experience during her visit to Hampi, Dr. Mehra said. And that is what she kept in consideration during the works she did on Hampi. She explained this through a few examples while also focusing on the point that commonly used phrases such as ‘Hampi ruins’ etc. do a grave injustice to the living spirit of the place which one can connect with if one is open and sensitive to the living force that is present all around as one walks through the heritage town.
Dr. Mehra gave the example of Virupaksha temple, one of the oldest living temples in India and also the spiritual energy which fills every inch of the Kodanda Rama Temple. She mentioned that the outer walls of Hazara Rama temple with its portrayals of Ramayana in stone is a living testimony to the deep cultural impact Ramayana has had on Indian collective psyche. She also spoke about the legends of the founding of Vijayanagara Empire and the force of such legends one can still feel standing near the Tungabhadra river.
Dr. Mehra said that since the focus of the festival is about Invent in India, it is important to highlight that the story of Hampi is a story of courage, heroism and tapasyā. Walking through the monuments area one is constantly reminded of resilience, perseverance and courage – all essential qualities to cultivate if we wish to encourage the spirit of original thinking, invention and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Mehra reminded that the story of Hampi or Vijayanagara continues to hold a prominent place in the Indian collective memory since ancient times. It is about a place associated with Shiva and Parvati, Rama and Hanuman, Hanuman and Sugriva, Sri Vidyaranya and brothers Hukka-Bukka, and many many more. She briefly narrated the story of Parvati’s intense tapasyā and what is symbolised by Parvati’s marriage to Shiva. She also spoke briefly of the Kishkindha connection of the place to highlight the theme of courage and resilience.
Dr. Mehra highlighted that if we can internalise Sri Aurobindo’s deep exposition of the inner, spiritual dimensions of all that we see and experience as the outer aspects of Indian culture, walking through Hampi can bring so many moments of awe, wonder, reflection, and silence. As one walks through the Vijayanagara of history, the Kishkindha of Itihasa, one experiences the grandeur of the Indian architecture, the richness of the sculpture details, the vibrant energy of the temple premises, and the silence as one keeps going inside.
