Krishnadevaraya, one of the prominent kings of the Vijayanagara dynasty that made Hampi its capitol, built this Balakrishna temple in 1513 AD to celebrate his conquest of the Gajapati (rulers of Odisha) king Prataparudra at the siege of Udayagiri (present day Andhra Pradesh). The entire story behind this construction and its purpose (in fairly vivid detail) is inscribed in old Kannada script inside the temple. A gopura is an ornate, vividly intricate towered structure that is characteristic of South Indian temple architecture.

Uniquely Indo-islamic in its architecture, yet built by the predominantly Vaishnava (Hindu) Vijayanagara Empire, the 'Lotus Mahal' is a prime example of the confluence of religion, culture, and art in medieval south India. 

The famed granite-made chariot at the Vittala Temple in Hampi, Karnataka dates to the 15th century.

Originally commenced in 1248, the Cologne Cathedral was finally completed in the 19th century.

A crocodile hunter from Ringi, Kolombangara.

A Solomon Islander from Vonavona Island shows off his pet Cardinal Lory (Chalcopsitta cardinalis). Many Solomon Islanders from the Western Province keep birds as pets: from parrots to cockatoos to starlings.