Stunning, magnificent, and majestic! Words cannot describe the beauty and grandeur of Hampi.
Hampi or Hampe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. It is spread over an area of more than 25 square km, and is packed with temples, palaces, market streets, fortifications, aquatic structures, and an abundance of ancient monuments. The World Heritage Site contains roughly 56 protected monuments spread in 29 villages in Hospet and Gangavathi.
Hampi is a vast open museum of history, architecture, and religion. It is packed with temples, palaces, market streets, fortifications, aquatic structures, and an abundance of ancient monuments. The giant boulder strewn hills and the river that bisects it, make the landscape beautiful.
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire where music, art, and sculpture flourished. Chronicles by Persian and European travelers, particularly the Portuguese, say that Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets.
By the year 1500, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India’s richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal. The Vijayanagara empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates in 1565; Hampi was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned, after which the city remained in ruins.
Located on the banks of the mighty Tungabhadra river, Hampi’s ruins have been described by UNESCO as an “austere, grandiose site” of more than 1600 surviving remains of the greatest Hindu kingdom in India that includes “forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mantapas, memorial structures, water structures and others”.
The intricate work on each pillar, roof, and every part of each monument showcases the imagination and dedication of the people of Vijayanagara. A visit to Hampi will take you on a time travel as you try to picture how this city would have been centuries ago.
Hampi finds mention in the Hindu epic Ramayana as well. It is said to be the location of Kishkinda, the monkey kingdom.
Explore Hampi
As an open museum, Hampi has numerous locations you can visit. Explore it in a discovery style itinerary. There are 56 protected monuments spread across 29 villages in Hampi and Gangavathi. Though you can visit major attractions of Hampi in a day, it is recommended to plan for at least a 3 days visit to Hampi.
Click through to read about the monuments of Hampi.
Quick tips
- Visit the Vijaya Vittala temple and its star attraction Stone Chariot at sunrise if you want to avoid crowd.
- All monuments are open sunrise to sunset (6:00 am to 6:00 pm).
- Vijaya Vittala temple and Zenana complex (Lotus Mahal, Elephant stable) requires entry ticket. All other monuments are free to visit. The tickets are valid for one day and you can use the same ticket for entry to Vijaya Vittala temple and Zenana complex if you visit both on the same day.
- Book tickets online for Vijaya Vittala temple/Zenana complex at the ASI-PayU website. Mobile signals are weak around these places, hence book tickets before leaving your hotel. No need for printed copy as soft copy (on mobile) is accepted.
- Visit Matanga hill for a spectacular sunrise and sunset (easy and short 30-40 minutes trek to the view point).
- Visit Hemakuta hill for sunset (easy 5-10 mins walk up to the top of the hill).
- As the monuments are spread across villages, there are only small stalls with snacks and food items. Best is to carry your own food or eat at the restaurants around Virupaksha temple or at Hospet.
How to reach
- By car: Traveling by car is more convenient as you can cover other places of interest nearby/on the way. If traveling from Bangalore, take the NH 48 and turn right at Chitradurga to join NH 50 to reach Hospet, and then head to Hampi.
- By bus: There are frequent bus services to Hospet from Bangalore and regular services from other parts of Karnataka. From Hospet, Hampi is 13 kms. Take a cab, auto rikshaw, or local bus service to reach Hampi.
- By train: There are regular train services to Hospet from Bangalore and major services connecting North and West India to South India pass through Hospet/Bellary. From here, take a cab, auto rikshaw, or local bus service to reach Hampi.
- By flight: Nearest domestic airport: Jindal Vijaynagar Airport, at Bellary (60 kms) or Hubli (150 kms), both connected by flights from Bangalore. Take a cab or local bus service to reach Hampi. Nearest international airport: Bangalore (350 kms).
Where to stay
There are lot of options for staying in Hampi: from budget homestays to 5-start hotels! Most convenient option is to stay in Hospet and drive to Hampi monuments (most in the 12-15 kms distance). If you are traveling on a weekend, long weekend, or holiday season, book your stay in advance.
When to visit
The best time to visit Hampi is from September to February.
Lovely pictures and Excellent review
Thank you, Kuldeep!