A boulder strewn land where surreal sunsets swash the landscape in a palette of red, where gigantic ruins depict the saga of a lost empire, and where each rock is part of glorious history & marvelous architecture- Welcome to Hampi, the lost Kingdom of Vijayanagar! Its colossal rocks & ghostly ruins, surrounded by lush paddy fields & palm groves, cast a spell on the many travelers visiting this mystical land.
Preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monuments of Hampi narrate the tales of splendor of the Vijayanagar Empire.
One of the oldest functioning temples in the country, Virupaksha temple predates the Vijayanagar Empire and has been standing here since 7th century AD. It is also known as Pampapati temple; where Lord Shiva is prayed to as consort of the local goddess Pampa, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Carved in stone, its walls, pillars and panels are embellished with carvings from Mahabharata & Ramayana.
Located right before the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar was once the flourishing trade center of the Vijayanagar Empire. Its many pavilions, where people sell various object like traditional jewelry, miniature figurines, silk fabric, carved artifacts, clay dolls, and colorful bags & antique coins; offer you a local shopping experience.
An exquisite piece of art, this 16th century temple is one of the finest attractions of Hampi. This seven pillared hall, where each pillar represents a musical instrument and when struck, makes the sound of the same, is quite enamoring. However, the source of the sound is still a baffling mystery.
The gentle slopes of the Hemkuta Hill are dotted with sprawling ruins of Hampi. Abandoned temples, carved boulders and two open-air Ganesha monoliths are its major attractions. Hemkuta Hill is also a perfect place to witness a spectacular sunset.
Sasivekalu, meaning mustard seed in Kannada, refers to the round tummy of Ganesha in this 8ft high awesome sculpture. Set in an open pavilion, this Ganesha statue is simply breathtaking.
Located on the slopes of Hemkuta Hill, this 15ft Ganesha monolith is the largest sculpture in Hampi. Its name is attributed to its big belly that resembles a Bengal gram seed, called Kadalekalu in the local dialect.
Located between Gandhamadana & Matanga Hills, this huge temple complex is a stunning combination of huge courtyards, exquisitely carved pillars, magnificent sculptures, and beautiful shrines.
Situated in a charming valley and covered with blooming water lilies, Pampa Sarovar is believed to be one of the five sacred lakes in Hindu mythology.
Hampi Bazaar, reminiscent of the flourishing markets of the Vijayanagar Empire, is a perfect place to shop and take a piece of history with you. The market is loaded with textiles, bags, handcrafted items, traditional jewelry and trinkets but miniature replicas of the ruins of Hampi are its most fascinating offering. Haggle hard to get a good bargain.
Since Hampi is all about walking amidst the gorgeous ruins, it is best to do so in winters from October to March when the weather is pleasant enough for you to walk in the open.
By Air- Jindal Vijanagar Airport, around 38kms from Hampi, is the closest airport connecting Hampi to nearby cities.
By Rail - Kariganuru Railway Station and Hospet Junction, at a distance of 15kms and 13kms respectively are the two railheads connecting Hampi to the other cities in India.
By Road- Hampi is connected with the major cities in the region by a good network of roads and highways.
Book your Karnataka Tour and walk with us amidst the glorious heritage of India. Do reach us for customized tour packages to help us create a memorable experience for you.
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Just came back from an amazing 2 week trip to India. First we done the golden triangle which we chose to do the train trip from Delhi to Agra a must you have to do if not just for the experience.
