Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi is a historical and mythological city in the Bellary district of Karnataka. A dynamic and dramatic place, Hampi is dotted by several temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, and treasury buildings that randomly pop up.
The rich cultural heritage of the place and its stories of prosperity armed with its spectacular landscape make Hampi a truly deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History of Hampi:
Hampi is full of stories both from the historical past as well as from the mythological anecdotes. The history of the place gradually mingles with the folklore and then subtly blends with mythology. As per the historical evidence, Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire that was established by Saint Vidyaranya in 1336 AD with the help of two of his disciples, Hakka Raya and Bukka Raya. From 1323 to 1565 for almost 200 years, four dynasties ruled over the place and made the Vijaynagar empire one of the richest and famous empires. However, the empire was brutally attacked by the Deccan Sultans during 1565. They looted and ransacked the city for almost six months leaving only mass destruction everywhere. The glorious city gradually lost its strategic importance and became a ghost city.
Best time to visit:
Hampi can be visited all-round the year. However, October to February is considered to be the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and great for roaming around the city. You also can visit the place during monsoon, but you have to be careful walking on the boulders as they become quite slippery. If you want to know more about the rich culture of Kannadigas, you must visit Hampi during Vijaya Utsav which is held during the first week of November, for 3 days.
This festival is also known as Hampi utsav and is the grandest of all the festivals celebrated in this region.
In this article, Priyanka has talked about her beautiful vacation to Hampi. You'll enjoy it.
How to reach:
Hampi is well-connected to different places of the country via road, rail, and air.
By Air:
Hubli Airport is the closest domestic aerodrome to Hampi. It is approximately 166 km away from the main city. Bangalore Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 350 km from Hampi.
By Rail:
The nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet which is about 13 km away. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi.
By Road:
Hampi is well connected with major cities and towns of Karnataka by bus services. Several Govt., private, and tourist buses ply regularly from neighboring cities and towns.
If you are a backpacker, this travel guide about Hampi is just for you.
Getting Around Hampi:
The real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. You will get bicycles for rent at a very cheap rate, around Rs. 100 per day without gear and Rs. 150 per day with gear. You can also get moped for rent at Rs. 200 per day. However, you will not get scooty and bikes for rent at the temple side of Hampi. At the opposite side of the river, you may get scooty and bikes for rent at Rs.250-400/- per day depending upon your vehicle.
Also, you can take auto rickshaws to see the various places in Hampi. It may cost you around Rs. 1200 per day.
If you're short on time, this two-day itinerary can help you make the most of your time.
Do you want to learn more about the places to visit in Hampi? Here is a list of top 26 places to visit in Hampi to make your holidays remarkable.
1. Virupaksha Temple
Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is thought to be India's oldest functioning temple. The temple is built in such a way that the main entrance faces east and there are two courtyards within it. A statue of Nandi with three heads greets you as soon as you enter the temple. In the centre, there is a pillared hall known as the Ranga Mandapa.
Timing: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm.
2. Monolithic Bull
The Monolith Bull, or Nandi, is a great piece of ancient architecture situated in a two-story pavilion near the east end of the Hampi Bazaar. This huge structure, which mythologically is the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is placed just opposite to the famous Virupaksha Temple. This Monolithic Bull, although partially mutilated, exhibits a coarse style of carving. The statue is so beautiful that it attracts a large number of visitors every day.
Timings: One can visit the Monolithic Bull at any given time of the day.
3. Vijaya Vitthala Temple
The Vijaya Vittala Temple, built in the 15th century, is the largest of all historical sites in Hampi. This humungous temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is the best places to visit in Hampi. There are fantastic stone structures all around, and the pillars here appear as if they are playing music. The magnificent stone chariot demonstrates remarkable ingenuity and the elegance of architecture's imagination, and it is true architectural greatness of Hampi. The architecture of this temple dates back to the Dravidian era and reflects South Indian traits.
Timings: The doors of Vijaya Vittala Temple are open from morning 08:30 am to evening 18:00 pm.
4. Matanga Hill
Out of all the places to visit in Hampi, Matanga Hill is the one which is most talked about. It is Hampi's highest peak and a magnificent location for travel photographers to get aerial views of Hampi. North portion of this hill terminates into Tungabhadra River, where you can visit the Kodanda Rama temple, another sacred site. A twisting valley with a zigzag Turthu canal may be found to the south of this peak. A hiking trail passes through the low-lying northern part and leads directly to Hampi market.
Timings: There are no specific timings to climb on the Matanga Hills. Tourists, on the other hand, make it a point to climb this hill early in the morning to see the sunrise and then return later in the evening after sunset.
5. Zenana Enclosure
Zenana Enclosure is a vast property with thick walls that was once thought to be a private retreat for the Vijayanagara Kingdom's royal ladies. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction of this place. You can enter by either the northern or north-eastern entrances. The Zenana Enclosure has three watchtowers, one each on the eastern, south-eastern, and northern sides of this remarkable building. The entire building is built in an Indo-Islamic style.
Timings: This place is open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.
6. Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal
Lotus Mahal, considered as one of the most attractive places to visit in Hampi, manifests a stunning architectural design. The central dome is designed like the bud of lotus, and the balcony and passages look like its petal. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting and Indo architectural style. The palace is surrounded by 24 pillars that provide support to this magnificent structure.
Timing: The Lotus Mahal Hampi is open for visitors from morning 08:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.
7. Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is present at a distance of around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman and is part of a cave on the top of a hill. The Tungabhadra River also runs through the hill's steps. Lord Hanuman can be seen here in a deep state of devotion. The serene and picturesque ambience of this temple offers mesmerising views of sunrise and sunset, making it one of the perfect places to visit in Hampi and around.
Timing: You can visit this temple at any point during the daytime. It takes around one hour to cover your entire visit here.
8. Hippie Island
Hippie Island, named by its colourful lifestyle, is among popular places to visit In Hampi. The little island of Virapapur Gadde is located across the Tungabhadra River. This island, known as a backpacker's paradise, is picturesque and popular with both residents and tourists for its laid-back atmosphere and cosy accommodations. This site is also known for hosting sunset jam sessions with musical instruments in order to create a lively party-like ambiance.
Timing: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
9. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple or Ugra Narsimha temple
This temple is amongst the most significant and religious places to visit in Hampi, also known as the Ugra Narsimha temple. Lord Narasimha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is half-man and half-lion. The figure of Lord Narasimha is seated in a Yoga pose atop a serpent coil with seven heads. This statue has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap. It will take you around an hour to an hour and a half to complete your visit here.
Timings: You can easily make your way inside Lakshmi Narasimha Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.
10. Badavilinga Temple
Badavilinga Temple is a magnificent Shiva temple and one of Hampi's most popular tourist attractions. It is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and is home to a stunning black stone Linga. The linga is approximately 3 metres tall and dates from the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga is housed in a small stone chamber within this temple that has only one narrow opening and no ceiling.
Timings: Badavilinga Temple doors are open for the devotees from morning 05:00 am to night 09:00 pm.
11. Queen’s Bath
This spectacular and massive old building, which was most likely a royal bathing facility for the erstwhile king and his wife, puts the clock back and is one of the major places to visit in Hampi. The beauty of the ruins of Queen’s Bath gets to you the moment you lay your eyes on the amazing architectural style of this ancient royal pool. The Queen's Bath in Hampi welcomes you with a large courtyard at the front with a dome-shaped roof, balconies with small windows, and a rectangular pool constructed of bricks in the centre with open blue sky.
12. Achyutaraya Temple
Achyutaraya Temple lies amidst the Matanga Hills and Gandhamadana. This temple was built in 1534 AD and was named after the main deity who is a form of Lord Shiva. The temple displays the architectural magnificence of Vijayanagar and houses a lovely idol of Lord Tiruvengalanatha. All towers, pillars, and walls of this beautiful temple are exquisitely carved and ornamented. The main shrine of this temple is situated amidst a rectangular concentric structure.
Timings: The doors are opened for a visit from 05:30 am to 01:00 pm. Again, in the evening, the doors are opened from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm.
13. Elephant Stables
Elephant Stables is amongst the significant tourist places to visit in Hampi for seeing little to no destruction. It's a long structure with a number of dome-shaped chambers that were formerly used to store royal elephants. The elephant stables are made up of 11 chambers, and the size of the structure astounds visitors. The entire structure is symmetrical, and the central hall tower is shaped like most of the temples in the area. This central hall has five domes on either side, reflecting an Islamic architectural style.
Timing: The doors of this Elephant Stables are open from early morning 08:30 am to evening 05:30 pm. It takes around an hour to complete your visit here.
14. Hazara Rama Temple
This gorgeous temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is located in the heart of a royal area. The temple's walls are eager to display the complete Ramayana story to its visitors. You can find bas relics of both Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna once you arrive. Also, don't miss out on the fragments depicting a Dasara celebration. A huge lawn, widely spread out, may be found on its northern side. The temple has two huge getaways and the interior homes to sculpted columns.
Timings: Getting to this temple is no longer a problem because the doors are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will take you less than two hours to finish your visit here.
15. Hema Kuta Hill Temple Complex
Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering an astounding view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways. Because tourists find it easier to reach the summit, this is the next best place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Mula Virupaksha Temple, part of the Hemakuta Hill Temple complex, is one of Hampi's most well-known attractions.
Timings: You can climb the Hemakuta Hill temple at any time from dawn to dusk.
16. Kadalekalu Ganesha
Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is a well-known South Indian holy site that houses one of the largest statues of Hindu deity Ganesha. It is located on the slopes of the well-known Hemakuta Hills, with its 4.6-meter-high monument. Lord Ganesha's tummy is shaped like a Bengal gramme, and the statue was cut out of a single enormous stone. The entire hall of the temple is home to thin granite pillars and displays fictitious characters. The Vijayanagara architectural style of art is reflected in the sculptures on these pillars.
Timings: You can visit this shrine of Lord Ganesha from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.
17. Sasivekalu Ganesha
The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple, which is located on the south side of Hemakuta Hill, gets its name from the resemblance between Ganesha's belly and the mustard seed known locally as Sasivekalu. This statue was inspired by a Hindu mythological tale in which Lord Ganesha ate so much food that his tummy nearly burst. As a result, the Lord tied a snake around his stomach to safeguard it. The figure of the snake is sculpted in front of his stomach on this statue. This monolithic figure stands 2.4 metres tall and was carved from a massive boulder. The monument is surrounded by an open pavillion, which is thought to have been created in remembrance of Narsimha II, the mighty Vijaynagara ruler, by a trader from Chandragiri (modern-day Andhra Pradesh).
Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)
18. Stepped Tank
Stepped tanks are regarded as sacred tanks in this area, and are used for a holy bath before visiting any religious place of importance. They were once the focal points of festival events. Steps are provided on all four interior sides of the tanks, allowing you to enter and exit the water. The Royal Center's stepped tank is geometrically greater in size and is made out of green diorite with no drainage system. Black schist stones were used to build the stepped tank.
Timings: You can take a dive in the water of these stepped tanks at any time before the sun sets.
19. Hampi Bazar
Located in the foothill of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular places to visit in Hampi. Virupaksha Bazaar is another name for this shopping destination. When you have a free day, visit the Hampi Bazaar and try your hand at some shopping. It stretches for more than a kilometre, with pavilions on both sides of the road that runs through it. A street occupied by the local peasants can be found on the eastern side. At the east end of this Hampi Bazaar Street stands a big Nandi bull statue.
Timings: You can stop and shop at any time from morning 06:00 am to night 11:00 pm.
20. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a protected forest area where you may see beautiful Indian Sloth bears wandering around, climbing trees, and interacting with one another. The hillocks here are tough enough, with a lot of rocks strewn about. The number of Sloth bears in this area is estimated to be approximately 120. Other animal species found here include the tiger, leopard, mongoose, pangolins, star tortoise, and spotted deer.
Timings: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm on all days.
21. Sanapur Lake
Sanapur lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Hampi. This lake, about 5 kilometres from Hippie Island, is encircled by massive rocks and stones. Tourists come here to relax and enjoy the cold wind, making it one of the loveliest sites in the region. Cliff jumping or a coracle ride are two of the most popular activities available here. Tourists also often come here for picnics. The water here is very clean, so even a swimming session here can make you feel rejuvenated.
Timing: Open throughout the day
22. Gagan Mahal
The Gagan Mahal was built in the 16th century. Despite the fact that large elements of this palace are lying in ruins, it is still one of the most worthwhile places to visit in Hampi. The palace is tiny and golden in colour, with adorned windows and four lovely towers encircling it. You can march to Sarovara Laxmi Temple, Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Durga Temple, and other important religious sites nearby once you arrive.
Timings: This Gagan Mahal is open for all 24 hours. It takes approximately one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here.
23. Krishna Temple
The triumph of Orissa's battle is symbolised by the Krishan temple of Hampi, which was built by Krishnadevaraya. This temple is one of the hand-picked places to visit in Hampi that are known for their superb sculptures all over the world. The splendour of this site demonstrates Krishnadevraya's enthusiasm for art and architecture. The original idol of this location may be found at Chennai's State Museum. Massive pillars and modest shrines surround the temple campus on all sides. A large hall can be found on the eastern side of the building. You can get a fresh banana from the banana fields that line the temple's southern perimeter.
Timings: You can seek blessings here at Krishna Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.
24. Palace of Vira Harihara
Another one of the historical Places to Visit in Hampi is the Palace of Vira Harihara. This palace was once a massive edifice, with only the foundation base plans remaining within the Royal Enclosure's guarded region. The base of the former palatial structure evokes admiration and imagination of the Vijayanagar rulers' grandeur and royal lifestyle. The remaining ornate base with elaborate carvings once supported the massive superstructure of the palace, and now is lost to the ravages of time and history.
Timings: Daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
25. Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Hampi is one of the top Places to Visit In Hampi to spend some time with, despite its small size. This museum is divided into four sections, each of which houses a distinct exhibit. The first section features a model of Hampi, while the second section features sculptures and idols dedicated to the ruins of Hampi. Tools, weapons, and ammo are on display in the third area. The fourth section features items from the prehistoric and post-historic periods.
Timings: You are free to take a dig at the beauty of this Archaeological Museum from morning 10:00 am to evening 05:00 pm.
26. Prasanna Virupaksha Temple
This is a huge temple that is built below the ground level. The temple is very cool due to the closeness to the ground water and is very well maintained. Inside, there's a huge shiva linga to offer your prayers to. Also, one can find huge amount of bats hanging on the ceiling. Do make effort to light your phone torches and have a look at the bats-filled-ceilings. The temple is so quiet and peaceful, you might want to end up sitting there for an entire day!
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week
You can plan an unforgettable vacation now that you know the best places to visit in Hampi. Hampi is intriguing, lovely, charming, and, of course, captivating in every way. So, what do you have to lose? Plan a trip to Hampi with your family, friends, or solo, and have a fantastic vacation.
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