Hampi: Cheap, Peace, Temples, Have It All

Famous for its ruins which belong to the medieval Hindu kingdom ofVijayanagar, the city of Hampi has been declared a World Heritage site. The temples here which consist of monolithic sculptures and monuments, attract travellers because of their excellent workmanship. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site. Another reason why you should visit Hampi is that the peace that you get here takes you to another level. It calms you down and relaxes you, giving a break from the everyday busy life. It is a cheap and amazing tourist destination in India.

Location

Hampi is located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in southern India. It is 353 km from Bengaluru and located on top of a rugged terrain. Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi. It has a tropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. It experiences the southwestern monsoon rains from June to August. The best time to visit this place is from October to March.

History

The first settlement this city saw was that of 1st century A.D. and a number of Buddhist sites also have been found which belong to the same period. Hampi was the capital of Vijaynagar Empire. Vijaynagar was one of the largest Hindu empires in India. It was founded by two brothers, Harihar and Bukka. Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from 1509-1529, was the greatest ruler and controlled almost all of peninsular India south of Tungabhadra River.

The town in the 14th century had a population of half a million people. Seven concentric lines of fortifications protected the city. The place was protected by a huge army. The empire flourished, as it had control over both cotton and spice trade routes of southern India. However, with the death of Krishnadevaraya, the combined armies of the five Muslim kingdoms-Bidar, Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar and Berar-destroyed this mighty empire in 1565.

Fairs & Festivals

Hampi is famous for Purandara Festival, which is held in January-February in the Vittal temple to celebrate the birth anniversary of the medieval poet-composer, Purandar.

How to Reach

By Rail: Hampi does not have a Railway station. The nearest railhead is at Hospet, which is 13 km from the ruins of Hampi. Travellers use Hospet as a base to start their journey.

By Road: The main bus station in Hampi is in the Hampi Bazaar area.

Tourist Attractions

The main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two areas: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal centre near Kamalapuram.

Hampi Bazaar

The 15th-century Virupaksha Temple is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. This is one of the oldest monuments of the town. The top of the temple rises about 50 m from the ground and the main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva. Hemakuta Hill, which is the south of the Virupaksha temple, contains early ruins, Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu. Hemakuta Hill is the place from where you will get an excellent view of Hampi Bazaar.

Two kilometres east of Hampi Bazaar, you can see the World Heritage Vittal temple, built in the 16th century. The carvings on this temple prove that the artists of Vijayanagar Empire were excellent! The outer pillars of this temple are said to produce music when tapped. They are also known as the musical pillars. Between Hampi Bazaar and Vittal temple, is the deserted Sule Bazaar and the Achutraya temple. The monolithic statue of Lord Ganesh, Nandi, the Kodandarama temple and the Krishna temple are other places to visit in the Hampi Bazaar area.

Read More:Exploring The Beauty of Magnificent Maharashtra

Royal Centre

This place is located between Kamalapuram and the Hampi Bazaar area. The Lotus Mahal or palace situated here is an intricately designed pavilion within a walled compound, known as the Zenana Enclosure. A blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, this place gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its ceiling. The Elephant quarter is adjacent to the Zenana Enclosure. The Queen's Bath, which has a unique Islamic architecture, is a must-see. Another sight we recommend is the underground Virupaksha temple. The Archeological Museum at Kamalapuram has a good collection of sculptures as well.

Wish you a safe travel and immense peace from HerZindagi.

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