Historic Hampi runs in their veins

A Hampi-obsessed couple uses every aspect of their lives to spread awareness about the glorious Vijayanagar empire. Even their phone numbers are connected to historical dates

Historic Hampi runs in their veins

A Hampi-obsessed couple uses every aspect of their lives to spread awareness about the glorious Vijayanagar empire. Even their phone numbers are connected to historical dates

TRY calling Maheshwar Hampi and Prabhavathi Devi and you may just earn yourself a little history lesson on Hampi.

The couple, active Save-Hampi campaigners who named their children after the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire, has three mobile numbers in the family that end with historic dates related to the empire: 99XXXX1336, 99XXXX1510 and 99XXXX1356 are reminders of the birth of the Vijayanagar Empire and Krishnadevaraya and founder Bukkaraya assuming power respectively.

"Our intention is to ensure that historic numbers related to the Vijayanagar Empire remain forever. We also explain the importance of each number to friends who call. That's how we are creating awareness about Hampi."

Drive me crazy

Also, all drives on their personal computer have significant names. The C drive is named after Virupaksha, the divine lord of the empire.

The famed stone chariot.The Devi-Maheshwar couple (left) displaying the SIM packs that show the numbers ending with historic dates

D drive is named after Vidyaranya, the preacher who inspired the founders, and E drive is named after founders Hakka-Bukka.

Similarly, the G, H, K and L drives are named after important places like Hemakoota (one of the seven historical hills in Hampi), Anjanaadri (believed to be Lord Hanuman's birthplace), Vijaya Vittala (a temple) and Purandhara (a saint's abode) respectively.

"We want to cherish our past glory," said Prabhavathi, a housewife. "That's why most of our belongings are related to the Vijaynagar Empire in one or the other way."

Moving house

It doesn't stop there. Maheshwar and Prabhavathi have moved home from Chandra Layout to Vijayanagar since they consider it symbolic of the Empire.

Besides having temples of Virupaksha (divine lord of the empire) and Pampadevi (goddess of the empire), it also has roads named after the founders and rulers of the empire.

Also, Vijayanagar is adjacent to Hampinagar and has Vidyaranya Bhavana a computerised library.

Role models

Scholar Dr D V Paramashivamurthy, head of the department of epigraphy, Kannada University, Hampi, is impressed.

"People like them are very rare," he said.

"The couple is a role model especially now when saving Hampi has become a big concern."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels