Fast Facts
Location : 32 kms from Hospet, Karnataka
Attractions : Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex,
Malyavanta Raghunathswamy Temple, House of Victory, Hazara Ramaswami Temple,
Daroji Bear Sanctuary etc.
Best Time To Visit : October to March
Introducing Hampi
Hampi
is a village located in northern Karnataka, on the banks of the river
Tungabhadra. Also called as "the City of Ruins", Hampi was once
the capital of Vijayanagar empire, the largest Hindu empire in the history.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi lies within the ruins of mighty
Vijayanagar Empire. Of course, Hampi is mostly in ruined state today, but
due to its rustic charm it attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims every
year. Hampi is situated in a strange and picturesque hilly landscape strewn
with numerous rounded boulders, with the Tungabhadra river flowing through
the centre of it. Among the hills and valleys of Hampi there are over 500
monuments. Hampi is home to beautiful temples, basement of palaces, royal
pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, remains of aquatic structures, old
market streets, treasury buildings and several other interesting structures.
Most of the ruins at Hampi are located along the road leading from
Kamalapura to Hampi. Moreover, whether you are a common traveller or a
pilgrim, it doesn't matter, Hampi is a perfect destination for all and
deserves a visit as well. So, visit this ruined city on your next vacation
and get a glimpse of the largest Hindu empire.
How to Reach Hampi
By Air : Nearest airstrip lies at Tornagallu in Sandur
Taluk which is 32 kms away from Hospet. Bellary (74 kms) is the second
nearest airport from Hampi, other convenient airport are situated at Belgaum
(190 kms) and Bangalore (353 kms). From all these airports buses are
available for nearby town of Hospet.
By Train : Hospet is the nearest
railhead from Hampi (13 kms). The railway station is served by several
trains from Bangalore, Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal and other important
places of the region. From Hospet buses are available for Hampi.
By Bus : Good roads connect Hampi with Hospet, Belgaum,
Bangalore and other important cities of Karnataka. KSRTC buses run at a
regular interval from Hospet to Bangalore, Bijapur and Hubli.
Places Where You Can Stay
Hospet is the ideal base to visit the ruins of Hampi. The town has a number
of economic hotels which provide good accommodation facilities at reasonable
rate. Some famous hotels of Hospet include Hotel Mayura Vijayanagar, Hotel
Priyadarshini and Hotel Mallingi. Hotel Mayura Bhuvansewri and KSTDC
cottages are good place to stay at Hampi.
Tourist Attractions in and around Hampi
Virupaksha Temple : The magnificent Virupaksha Temple lies
at the western end of the famous Hampi Bazaar. On its eastern entrance the
temple has a 120 feet high towers. Virupaksha temple houses the shrines of
Shiva, Pampa and Bhuvaneswari. Some portions of this temple are older than
the Vijayanagar Kingdom, dates back to the 11th or 12th centuries. Close to
this temple is the 6.7 m tall monolith statue of Ugra Narasimha. According
to a nearby inscription it was hewn from a single boulder in 1528 during the
reign of Krishnadeva Raya.
Vithala Temple Complex : Vithala Temple Complex is
undoubtedly the most splendid monument of Hampi having 56 musical pillars.
On the eastern side of the hall is the popular Stone Chariot with stone
wheels that revolve as well. Just in front of the shrine lies the majestic
mantapa, set on a richly sculpted basement. The roof of mantapa is supported
by 15 feet high granite pillars, each consisting of a central pillar
surrounded by detached shafts. Most of the carved pillars of the mantapa are
ruined due to attacks in past, while a large portion of the central part has
been destroyed utterly. Another mantapa close to it is 'Purandra Dasara
Mantapa' which has been also declared a protected monument.
Malyavanta Raghunathswamy Temple : Just 3 kms down the
road, on an imposite site, stands the Malyavanta Raghunathswamy temple.
Built in the Dravidian style the temple has strange-looking fishes and
carved marine monsters along its outer walls.
House of Victory : House of Victory was
constructed by Krishnadeva Raya when he returned after his victorious
expedition against the king of Orissa. The Vijayanagar kings used to sit on
a huge throne in the House of Victory to see the nine-day Dussehra festival.
Hazara Ramaswami Temple : Hazara Ramaswami Temple is
located on the western side of House of Victory. It is believed that the
temple was the private place of worship of the royal family. Main attraction
of this temple is the series of scene from the epic Ramayana carved on
inside walls of the mantapa.
King's
Balance : King's Balance is an interesting place, where the kings were
weighed against gold, grain or money which was later distributed among the
poor.
Queen's Bath : Queen's Bath was the swimming pool of the
royal family. It is 50ft long and 6ft deep and two-storeyed. With its arched
corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains, the Queen's bath
once sprouted perfumed water.
Lotus Mahal : Looking like a lotus flower, the two-story
structure has magnificent arc ways set in geometric regularity. Lotus Mahal
was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.
Elephant Stable : Elephant Stable presents an excellent
example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture. Once the huge stable housed
11 elephant in separate compartments.
Mahanavami Dibba : Mahanavami Dibba is a big platform
having beautiful carvings. Actually the Mahanavami Dibba is the foundation
of a lion story wooden structure from which the royal family of Hampi used
to see pomp, colour and revelry during the Mahanadu festival.
Mustard Ganesh : Mustard Ganesh or Sasivikalu Ganesha is a
9 feet tall single stone statue.
Noblemen's Palace : Noblemen's Palace was discovered few
years back. It is believed that this palace was for aristocrats and
high-ranking officials.
Daroji Bear Sanctuary : Daroji Bear Sanctuary is located
very close to Hampi. Although the bear sanctuary is relatively new and began
in 1994, but it has proved to be an ideal habitat for the Indian Sloth Bears
in a small span of 13 years.
Other Attractions
Vijayanagar Festival : An annual festival, the Vijayanagar
festival is organised by the Karnataka Government in December every year.
The colourful festival recreates the grandeur of the bygone era. People of
Hampi and nearby areas participate in this festival with great pomp and
enthusiasm.
