Hampi is a small and ancient village in South India, known for its treasure trove of art work and its stunning stone temples dating back to ancient times. Hampi is located in the Bellary district of Karnataka and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The seemingly small town today was once the capital of the mighty Vijaynagar Empire and the empire had flourished under the rule of King Krishnadevaraya. It was once the wealthiest cities in the country and traders from far and wide came here to conduct business. The city fell to invaders later but the mighty ruins live on and there are a number of places within this ancient city which are worth paying a visit.
Before we actually start with the places, let us have a look at some other minute details:
How to Reach: If you are taking a flight, then Hubli Airport is about 145 km away from Hampi. Buses are also available from cities like Bangalore, Hubli and Belgaum. Hospect Junction is only about 13 km from the city.
Best Time to Go: The best time to visit is between October to February as it is relatively cooler and you will not be scorched by the sun. The Hampi Utsav takes place during January or February and you must try to visit this festival.
Here are some of the most notable places to see in Hampi:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest Shiva temples in the country and is still operational, with pilgrims paying regular visits. The temple was built in the 7th century and has a huge courtyard and gateway towers. The intricate carvings on the temple will leave you speechless as will the fact that you are praying at a temple which is about a thousand years old. Try to take a guided tour to know more about its history and form of architecture and visit the underwater Shiva Temple inside the complex, which is now said to be submerged after all these years. It will take about two hours to have a complete tour of the temple.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
Entry: INR 5 for Indians, INR 500 for foreign nationals and INR 50 for camera.
This temple is truly an architectural marvel. Built in the 15th century in Dravidian style, the temple happens to be the largest of the historical structures in this city. Lord Vittala is said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishu and the temple has sky high pillars and intricately carved stone sculptures. The musical pillars inside the hall will leave you awestruck and the stone chariot is the most notable structure inside the temple. This also happens to be one of the most visited sites inside the temple so beware of crowds. It will take about 2 hours to tour the temple.
Hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Entry: INR 10 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals
Your Hampi sightseeing would not be complete without a visit here. It is a hill top which has many large and small temples strewn around and is in the southern side of the Hampi village. You have to climb a little to access the complex but once there you will see the gorgeous ruins of the temples as well as catch a glimpse of the amazing mountain side view. The sunrise and sunset seen from here is especially breathtaking.
Hours: From sunrise to sunset.
The Hanuman Temple in Hampi is situated atop the Anjaneya Hill, named after Lord Hanuman’s mother. It is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman and is much revered by pilgrims here. It is about 4 km away from the Hampi village and the pilgrims first have to take a boat ride and then climb stairs to reach the main temple. Once up there, you will realize how peaceful and calm the place is. The sunrise and sunset views from here are stunning. For obvious reasons, there are huge numbers of monkeys to be found here so it is advisable to take care of your belongings.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh and is located on the southern side of Hemakuta Hills and it is said that the temple resembles a mustard seed, or the belly of Lord Ganesh. The temple has a 2.4 meter tall figure of Lord Ganesh and carved out of a single boulder. Everyone visiting Hampi makes it a point to come here.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm everyday
This temple is also known as Ugra Narsimha temple and it is the largest monolith statue in entire Hampi. It was built around 1528 AD but the figure within was vandalized by invaders in 1565. The statue is that of Lord Narsimha, who is seen seated here. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the body of half lion and half man. This temple is stunning and the statue itself, though ferocious, will leave you awestruck. It is also one of the most photographed places in Hampi.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
This was probably the royal bathing chamber for the kings and his wives and the place is stunningly engraved. The royal pool is sure to evoke envy in you as it offers a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle the kings and their queens must have had. The design is so intricate and the huge dome shaped roof is perfectly carved. There are balconies and small windows and the pool itself is under the open blue sky. There are also local handicrafts and sculptures sold in the complex so you might want to keep some money in hand.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
The ruins by the river here have 108 Shiva lingas carved out a flat rock surfaces along with a statue of a reclining Lord Vishnu. It happens to be a very popular site among photographers, tourists and historians alike. You will love the stories the local guides tell you and the form of architecture the place has. You will need about an hour to explore the entire ruins.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
Entry: INR 30
The Archeological Museum in Hampi is a must- visit because it is here that you will get a detailed overview of Hampi and its art and history. The museum is actually located in Kamlapur which is a few kilometers away from the main ruins of Hampi. There are lots of interesting artifacts here, most of them excavated from the surrounding regions. You will find charts and family trees of the kings and rulers who ruled here. There are paintings, coins and also books you may buy on the art here.
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm every day except Friday
Entry: INR 5 for adults and free for children below 15 years.
Matanga Hills will simply take your breath away with the red rocks strewn around the mountain side. From here, you will get a magical view of Hampi ruins and its surroundings. You need to reach the Veerbhadra temple at the top through a trek of sorts which takes about 30 minutes. Once up there, you will be mesmerized by the sunrise and the sunsets which casts a dreamy glow over Hampi town. Try to carry flashlights or small torch with you as the path up the hills often have shadows which makes vision tricky.
Hours: Dawn till Dusk
The hills around Hampi are home to a number of wildlife and hence a sanctuary was established for their preservation in 1994. If you want to combine history, art and culture with a bit of adventure and wildlife as well, then this is the place for you. You will find deer, jackals and hyenas here, along with some leopards but the most importantly, you will find sloth bears which are endemic to India. You will love seeing them in their natural habitat, looking for honey and they will surely remind you of Winnie the Pooh! Wildlife enthusiasts must visit this place but make sure you carry enough water and wear comfortable shoes.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
Entry: INR 50 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals. Parking is INR 500.
The Tungabhadra Dam is about 5 km from Hospet and you must make this stop while traveling to Hampi as it will offer you an amazing glimpse of the city and the river. The dam is used for irrigation, electricity production and for flood control and is practically the lifeline of the region. This dam is the main source of water to the field here. There are beautiful gardens around which brilliantly landscaped and photographers love to capture the beauty of this place.
Hours: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Hampi will surely transport you back in time and will leave you in awe with its grandeur. You will surely get an idea of how prosperous the Vijaynagar Empire must have been and there are rock cut temple complexes here as well. There are bazaars and pavilions and local craftsmen sell handmade items resembling the rock cut architecture of Hampi. Try to visit during the Hampi Utsav which is a great festival comprising of dance dramas, classical concerts, skits and recitals.
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