Welcome to hampi
Welcome to Hampi, a place where the past merges seamlessly with the present, and every stone has a story to tell. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the heart of Karnataka, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and architectural marvels. As you step into this captivating town, you’re not just visiting a destination; you’re embarking on a journey through time.
Why should you visit Hampi?
Hampi is not your typical tourist spot; it’s a living history book. From the ancient boulders that have witnessed centuries to the ruins that echo with tales of empires and dynasties, you’re about to walk in the footsteps of those who came before.
Prepare to be mesmerized by the architectural marvels that define Hampi. The towering gopurams (entrance towers), the intricate carvings on temple walls, and the awe-inspiring stone chariot will leave you in awe. These are not just structures; they’re portals to another era.
Hampi is a spiritual haven where ancient temples like Virupaksha Temple invite you to connect with the divine. Participate in the rituals, seek blessings, and experience the deep sense of spirituality that fills the air.
As the sun sets over the Tungabhadra River, Hampi comes alive with its cultural celebrations. The annual Hampi Utsav, a grand festival of music, dance, processions, and art, offers an unforgettable experience of local traditions and festivities.
The natural beauty of Hampi is equally enthralling. From lush banana plantations to unique rock formations, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure amidst its stunning landscapes.
As you wander through the ancient bazaars, climb the historic hills, and explore the tranquil riversides, you’ll feel like a time traveler. Hampi has the unique ability to transport you to eras long gone by.
Places to visit in hampi
1. The Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha Temple is one of India’s oldest functioning temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and still operating. This prominent structure serves as the primary center of pilgrimage in Hampi, located on the southern banks of Tungabhadra River.
Due to its religious significance, the temple can get quite crowded during the day as thousands of pilgrims from across India visit. I recommend arriving at the temple around 7-8 AM in the morning to catch the morning aarti and witness Lakshmi, the temple’s resident elephant, heading for her daily bath in the river.
The temple also has an interesting Engineering architecture-working of one of the first pin-hole cameras can be seen here(Inverse visiblity of temple main gopuram on the wall inside the temple)
2. Kadalekalu Ganesha
This East-facing Ganesha is located o the North-Eastern slopes of Hemakuta hill and can be dated to 15th century. The seated Ganesha sculpture is four armed, and bears in each hand a tusk, goad, nose, and a bowl of sweets respectively.
The sculpture is carved out of a single boulder and stands ~4.5 mts high.
The monolithic Kadlekalu Ganesha so called for the closeness in appearance,of the shape of its belly to the unsplit Bengal gram.
3. Vijaya-Vittala Temple
Vitthala temple is the epicentre of the ruined town with a huge temple complex and it is the remains of the ancient town of Vittalapura. It is one of the best architectural wonders of Hampi and dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The noteworthy thing about this marvellous arctechture is its musical pillars inside the hall and exceptional stone chariot show its excellent architecture and out-of-the-box creativity.
The best way to reach Vitthala temple will be through Tungbhadra riverside trek Path. The path has many shrines, carved artefacts, boulders and ruins of ancient structures and goes along-side the river. It will be a serene walk of around 2 km.
4. Lakshmi Narasimha and Badavi Linga
Lakshmi Narshima is the largest sculpture in Hampi and is also known as Ugra (terrifying form) Narasimha. The original statue had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the lap of the God. But the statue was damaged heavily during the fall of the Vijaynagar empire.
Badavi Linga is the largest linga statue in Hampi and is always submerged in water as a water channel is made to flow through it.
Badavi Linga and Lakshmi Narasimha are situated in the same compound and are a walkable distance from Hemakuta Hill.
5. Krishna Temple
Krishna temple in Hampi is known for exquisite carvings (especially, mythical lions) and elegant architectural design. The grandeur of the temple reflects the prosperity of the Vijayanagara empire. The temple has no entry fees and is 200 meters from Lakshmi Narashimha statue
The Krishna Temple was built by the King Krishnadevaraya in 1513 AD to commemorate his victory over the kingdom of Udaygiri or Utkala (in the present day Odisha). The main idol inside the temple was the figure of Balakrishna (Lord Krishna as an infant). This idol is now displayed in the state museum at Chennai. There is a huge slab inside the temple that tells the story of the conquest of Utkala.
6. Hemakuta Hills
Hemkuta Hills is considered as one of the most beautiful sites in Hampi and it is situated near the Virupaksha Temple. The hill provides a gorgeous sight of the Virupaksha Temple and the other ruins of the Vijaynagar empire. There are many small temples scattered over the hill – Sasivekalu Ganesha, Kadalekalu Ganesha. It is a famous viewpoint for witnessing Hampi’s mesmerising sunsets.
7. Sasivekalu Ganesha
The temple is situated very near to the Hemakuta hills and a little south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. This is a giant statue of Lord Ganesha.
8. Achutarya
The temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu , was constructed by King Achyuta Raya’s (1534 AD) and hence the name. This temple was the last grand creations of the Vijayanagara dynasty prior to its fateful fall, is now a magnificent example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
9. Lotus Place
A Marvel in Stone: Visit the Lotus Palace, a delicately crafted structure within the Zenana Enclosure. Its lotus-shaped architecture is a sight to behold.
10. elephant stables
Elephant Stable is an impressive structure located outside the Zenana Enclosure in Hampi, that was used to provide shelter for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire.
11. hazara rama temple
HAZARA RAMASWAMY TEMPLE is located in the royal enclosure area of the historical Vijayanagar kingdom. Hazara ramasamy temple referred to as the Ramachandra temple and it is dedicated to Lord Rama, an avatar of lord Vishnu.
The temple got its name Hazara Rama (a thousand Rama) Temple owing to this multitude of Ramayana panels on its walls. The walls of the temple carry the whole story of Ramayana carved on stone. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with bas-relics of Rama and Krishna.
The relics also portray processions of horses, elephants, attendants, soldiers and dancing women taking part in the Dasara festival rally at that time.
12. underground shiva temple
As the name suggests, this temple is constructed below the ground level. Here Lord Shiva is called as Prasanna Virupaksha. Therefore, it is alternately known as Prasanna Virupaksha Temple in Hampi. It is not just an underground temple but also lies underwater! The inner portions of the shrine are always filled with water. According to history, it is the water of Tungabhadra River that flows inside through a canal.
Tips for exploring monuments
For exploring the heritage side of Hampi, you can hire a bicycle. Cycling uphill could be physically challenging, but the view and route between boulders are absolutely rewarding. It is an experience you will remember forever! The cycles cost around INR 100 to 200 per day.
Alternatively, you can hire a moped or go for one day tuktuk tour. Don’t miss to book moped one day in Advance. One day tuktuk tour will cost around INR 800.
How to reach Hampi
By Train – Hampi does not have a railway station. The nearest Railway station is Hospet, which is around 12 km from Hampi.
For Hospet to Hampi, you can take either a tuk-tuk (INR 250 Approx) or local bus (INR 20). The buses run from 6:00 AM till 10:30 in the night.
By Bus – There are direct buses for Hampi/ Hospet from Mysore, Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore
By flight – Hampi does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Hubli and Bangalore. You will need to hire a taxi from Hubli/Bangalore to reach Hampi.
where to stay
Hampi is heaven for backpackers. The rent for basic rooms can be as low as INR 500. You can also experience staying in a mud house or a cosy hut. Don’t expect luxury, most of the guesthouses are run by families who have only basic amenities to offer (bed and fan) but the people are extremely welcoming and helpful.
Recommended places – Gopi Guest house, Funky Monkey, Rocky guest house
If you want to stay in a resort, there are a few options like Part Hyatt, Clarks Inn, etc, though most of them are really far from the attractions in Hampi
Best Time to visit
Late October to Early February will be the ideal time to visit Hampi. During the rainy season (ie July to September), Hampi gets inconsistent rainfall and will be humid. In case you enjoy exploring around in rain and want to see ‘Greener Hampi’, July to September can also be a good idea.
During the rest of the year, the temperature in Hampi will be at its peak and it will be unbearably hot.