Hampi Tourism : A Complete Travel Guide

Tourism in Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagara, and it is declared a World Heritage site. The temples, monolithic sculptures, and monuments are a major part of Hampi tourism and attract travelers because of their excellent workmanship. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of the Vijayanagara Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambiance of this site. Go through the Hampi Karnataka tourism guide to plan your tour efficiently.

Location

Hampi is located in the central part of Karnataka in the southern part of India. It is 353 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet. It is located on top of the rugged terrain and is 467 m above sea level. The Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi.

History of Hampi

The first settlement in Hampi dates back to the 1st century AD, and several Buddhist sites belonging to that time have been found nearby. Hampi was the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire.

Vijayanagara was one of the largest Hindu empires in India. Two brothers, Harihar and Bukka, founded it in 1336. Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) was the greatest ruler and controlled almost all peninsular India south of the Tungabhadra River. The town of Hampi in the 14th century had a population of half a million people. Seven concentric lines of fortifications protected the city. It maintained a massive army to defend it from other kingdoms.

Vijayanagara Empire flourished as it controlled both cotton and spice trade routes of southern India. Medieval historians refer to Hampi as an important center of trade. However, the glory of Vijayanagara was short-lived. 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 of Hampi

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

Best Time to Visit Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. The city has a tropical climate with hot summers (April-June) and cool winters (October-February). It experiences the southwestern monsoon rains from June to August.

Book customizable Hampi tour packages with TOI during the winter months for a pleasant sightseeing tour.

How to Reach Hampi

By Train

BY RAIL -

Hampi does not have a Railway station. The nearest railhead is at Hospet, which is 13 km from the ruins of Hampi. Therefore, travelers use Hospet as a base to commence their journey to Hampi.

By Road

BY ROAD -

The prime bus station in Hampi is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. We would provide you with all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and the intercity drives.

Tourist Attractions in Hampi

Hampi's main tourist spots can be divided into two broad areas: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram. Book private guided tours with TOI for a comfortable and memorable sightseeing tour in Hampi.

Hampi Bazaar area

Virupaksha Temple - The 15th-century Virupaksha Temple is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. It is one of the oldest monuments in 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 - It is located south of the Virupaksha temple and contains ancient ruins, Jain temples, and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, a look of Lord Vishnu. Hemakuta Hill offers an excellent view of Hampi Bazaar.

Vittal Temple - Two kilometers east of Hampi Bazaar, you will find the World Heritage Vittal temple, built in the 16th century. The carvings on this temple give an insight into the architectural splendor of the Vijayanagara Empire's artisans. The outer pillars of this temple are said to produce music when tapped. Hence, they are also known as musical pillars.

Achyutaraya Temple - Between Hampi Bazaar and Vittal temple, the deserted Sule Bazaar and the Achyutaraya temple can be seen.

The Monolithic statue of Lord Ganesh, Nandi, the Kodandarama temple, and the Krishna temple are other places to visit in the Hampi Bazaar area.

The Royal Center

The royal center is located between the Hampi Bazaar area and Kamalapuram. One can take a 2-km walk down to this area from the Hampi Bazaar. There are several tourist attractions within the walled area of the royal center.

Lotus Mahal - This palace is an intricately designed pavilion within a walled compound, known as the Zenana Enclosure. It displays a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its domed and vaulted ceiling.

The Elephant Quarter - It is adjacent to the Zenana Enclosure. It is a domed building that housed the royal elephants.

Archeological Museum - This museum at Kamalapuram has a good collection of sculptures belonging to the Vijayanagara Empire.

With its unique Islamic architecture, the Queen's Bath and the Underground Virupaksha temple are other important places to visit within the royal center with its unique Islamic architecture.

Apart from the Hampi Bazaar and the Royal center, Anegundi is another tourist area to be visited. It is a fortified area north of Hampi Bazaar across the Tungabhadra River. It has many temples in and around it.