Hampi, a city of monuments and Unesco World Heritage site as well. What makes it so special? The naturally created boulders all around the town? Monuments which were developed in 15th 16th centuries? Tungabhadra river? Paddy Fields and cafes in Hippie island? eye pleasing sunsets? Local food? Or energy of backpackers from all around the world?
Actually its special because of the combination of all of them and many more.
The nature has given a gift to Hampi and that is the boulders. Tungbhadra River, lake with calm and seren view and a Hippie island multiplies the beauty of city.
Additionally, In 15th and 16th centuries the monuments, extraordinarily brilliant temples and mahals were constructed by Vijayanagara empire in Hampi and that is why Hapmi is a must visit place.
What to do in Hampi
1. Visit monuments: there are around 1600 huge monuments and temples which are eye catching than religious.
Virupaksha temple is an attractive architecture and is a oldest shrine. You can meet an elephant, Lakshmi at this temple. The temple is situated near the bank of river Tungbhadra.
Other must visit places are Vitthala temple, Hazara rama temple, krishna temple, shiva lunga, Ganesha idols, Garuda Shrine in the form of stone chriot, lotus mahal, Queens bath, elephant stables, Hemkuta hill monuments and many more.
Water tanks in Hampi, they call them as Pushkarni, are beautiful as well. One of the Pushkarni, a stepped tank will also catch your eyes for its attractive structure.
All these sites are perfect for photography but what you can feel and see without camera is beyond comparison.
2. Visit Sanapur Lake: view at the lake is very calm and beautiful. This is the place where one can sit for hours. Sounds of lake water, wind and laughs of happy people around these are the only sounds hit your ears. Start your day with sunrise at Sanapur lake.
It is not commercialized and no one comes there to disturb you to sell anything.
3. Coracle boat ride: It is an experience one should get. Generally people use it to cross Tungabhdra river to go to Hippie island. It will cost you around 150 rs for half an hour.
Ride is full of fun and different experience all together.
Though people take jetty to cross river as well.
4. Hippie island: It is the other part of the city and is divided by Tungbhadra river.
Best way to roam around the hippie island is hire a bike or an auto.While exploring the hippie island you can see the paddy rice fields, small village houses and multiple small temples.
Hippie island is also known for the cafes and restaurants. Many cafes serve international cuisines as well. Food served here is affordable as well as super tasty.
You can visit Hanuman temple which is a very small temple and to reach there you have to climb a hill with 600 steps.
5. Mesmerizing beauty of the city with boulders:
Hampi has a geographic condition because of which this boulders are created naturally in hampi. You will be amazed to see few boulders and their arrangement on one other. You will keep thinking how this is possible naturally. The entire city is scenic and photogenic due to these bright colored stones and boulders.
How to reach:
From Mumbai one can take bus, directly to Hospet. We spent 2000 rs for a person from Mumbai to Hospet.
For a return journey, we spent 1000 rs from Hospet to Mumbai.
Where to Stay:
One can stay at Hospet or Hippie island.
if you preffer a proper hotel or resort, then go for Hospet. There are few options available. Most of the hotels and resorts are expensive.
I chose Hampi International, it was quiet affordable as well as a good hotel.
On Hippie island, one can go for homestays. Homestays in Hippe are affordable as well as is a good experience.
Generally backpackers in Hampi prefer to stay on Hippie island.
Where to eat:
Overall food in Hampi is affordable and tasty too.
On Hippie island, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants and they provide mouth watering food.
Mango tree cafe, Laughing Buddha cafe, Tamrind tree cafe are well known for good food.
