Hampi travel information, Karnataka
The magnificent city of ruins, Hampi, is not far from Bangalore. A World Heritage Center, Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. This erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar Empire boasts of some exquisite examples of temple architecture of that period. One can still glimpse the splendor of Vijayanagara - one of the largest empires in the history of India - in its ruins. The Vijayanagar Kings were great patrons of Art & Architecture as evident by the vast ruins of Hampi.
Hampi, the land of surprises was founded in the middle of 14th Century by two local princes, Hakka & Bukka. The Vijayanagar Empire came to be celebrated for its might and wealth and as a show piece of imperial magnificence.
Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation. Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth. The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of men infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction. The Vijayanagar Festival organized by the Government of Karnataka in December recreates the grandeur of the bygone era.
Tourist Attractions Hampi is the former capital of the Vijayanagara empire in northern Karnataka. The site, located near Hospet, was originally a religious center that may have predated the establishment of the city. The village contains several of the monuments of the old city, and extends into one of the old ceremonial streets of the ruins.
The ruins at Hampi constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the ruins are along the road leading from Kamalapura to Hampi. Three kms down the road, on a commanding site, stands the temple of Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy. It is built in the Dravidian style. Strange-looking fishes and marine monsters carved along its outer walls are worth noticing.
The Hampi Bazaar is a broad, dusty boulevard lined with stalls and restaurants. It leads to the entrance of the Virupaksha Temple, which predates the Vijayanagara kingdom yet remains a center of living Hindu faith (even though Hindu idols have been removed from the surrounding temples). South of Virupaksha Temple is a temple housing a massive Shiva lingam (phallic symbol) standing in a pool of water. Carved from a single rock, the lingam is adjacent to a fantastic monolithic statue of Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu. Although partially damaged, the one-piece carving dating to the first half of the 16th century is one of the finest sculptures at Hampi.
Some distance from the bazaar, on a high elevation, is the spectacular Vitthala Temple, dedicated to an incarnation of Vishnu, and one of the most fabulous and famous of Hampi's monuments. One of Hinduism's most enduring images, an ornate stone chariot, is found here.
With solid stone wheels that can turn on their axles, the chariot faces a shaded dance hall where ancient musical dramas were once played out and from where you can now enjoy panoramic views of Vijayanagara. The pillars of the temple are commonly referred to as "musical pillars," each one producing a different note when tapped.
The royal enclosure incorporates the ruined palaces where the Vijayanagara kings lived and held court. There was Hazara Rama temple where the royals went to worship, a small stepped tank, and the Mahanavami Dibba, a platform where performances and entertainment's were held. On the outskirts of the royal complex, you need to buy a ticket to see the Zenana enclosure, where the two-story Indo-Saracenic pavilion known as the Kamala (Lotus) Mahal. The Lotus Mahal in Hampi is shaped like a lotus flower from top. This two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen having massive pillars, delicately punctuated arches and fine stucco ornamentation; its unusual design blends elements of Muslim and Hindu architecture. Just outside the enclosure are the superb elephant stables. The elephant stables in Hampi are beautiful examples of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments.
There is also the House of Victory, which was built by Krishnadeva Raya when he came back from his victorious expedition against the King of Orissa. The spaces between the rows of the plinth-mouldings here are most elaborately and elegantly carved. The kings of Vijayanagar used to sit on a grand throne in the House of Victory and witness the nine-day Dussera festival.
Westwards from the House of Victory, leading through two ruined gates, the path leads to the Hazara Ramaswami temple.
This temple is believed to have been the private place of worship of the royal family. The chief attraction of the temple is the series of scenes from the Ramayana carved on two of the inside walls of the mantapa. The genesis of the place known today as Hampi dates back to the age of the Hindu epic Ramayana when it was the site of Kishkinda, a monkey kingdom.
In Hampi there is a 9-feet tall single stone statue -- the Mustard Ganesh, which is also known as Sasivikalu Ganesha.
Noblemen's Palace: This place was recently discovered and they suspect this was for aristocrats and high-ranking officials.
Daroji Bear Sanctuary is very near to Hampi. Though the sanctuary is relatively new, which began in 1994 in the eastern plains of Karnataka, it has proved to be a suitable habitat for the Indian Sloth Bears in a span of few years.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Bellary (74 km). Other convenient airports are at Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (350 km).
By Rail: Hospet, the nearest railhead (13 km), is linked by rail to Bangalore, Bijapur, Hubli and Gunfakal. The overnight Hospet Express leaves Bangalore daily at 10pm, arriving in unremarkable Hospet, the nearest town, at 7:50 am. From Hyderabad, the Rayalseema Express departs at 5:30 pm and arrive early the following morning, at 5:15 am.
By Road: 350 kms from Bangalore by road. Hampi is also connected by road to Hubli (150 km) and Hospet (122 km).
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