India, Feb. 15 -- As you veer off the highway and into the heart of Hampi, the modern world falls away, replaced by a landscape where nature and history are intricately intertwined. The rugged Deccan Plateau stretches out, with its hills and massive boulders rising sharply against the sky. The Tungabhadra River winds through the terrain, its still waters reflecting the vastness of the land, while the breeze carries the scent of earth and stone. The weight of centuries lingers in the air, and the ground beneath your feet feels steeped in the stories of an empire that once flourished here. Weathered temples and crumbling palaces stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time, their intricate carvings softened by years of rain and wind. Yo...