Hampi,
the outstanding land of breathtaking surprises was founded in the middle of
14th Century by two local princes, Hakka & Bukka. The city was sacked
pillaged and burnt in 1565 AD, after the combined attack of armies of Muslim
Sultanates of the Deccan defeated the Vijayanagar Military Commander and the
King fled the Capital. Today, the terrain is dominated by rocky hills and
the mighty Tungabhadra River, which flows through this rugged landscape.
One can still take glimpse of the mind-blowing 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.
Sightseeing at Hampi :
Virupaksha Temple : The Virupaksha Temple at the western end is one
of the earliest structures in the city. The main shrine is dedicated to
Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu. Overlooking Virupaksha temple to the
South, Hemakuta hill has several scattered ruins, which includes Jain
temples and a monolithic structure of Narasimha.
Ugra Narasimha : Nearby is the 6.7 m tall monolith of Ugra
Narasimha. The massive image is situated in the south of the Hemkuta group
of temples that includes the Virupaksha Temple. The Narasimha is a seated
four-armed figure under a canopy of a seven-hooded snake.
Vithala Temple : To the east of
Hampi Bazaar is the Vittala temple, about 2 kms away. The ruins of the
temple is a World Heritage monument. The temple is relatively well
preserved. The temples beautiful sculptures shows the pinnacle of
Vijayanagar Art. The outer pillars are known as the 'Musical Pillars' as
they reveberate when tapped, although this practice is now discouraged to
avoid further damage. The temple also displays an beautifully carved stone
chariot in the temple courtyard containing an image of Garuda.
Lotus Mahal : This graceful two-storeyed pavilion is located in the
'zenana' enclosure. The palace is tasteful amalgam of the Hindu and Islamic
styles of architecture.
Hazara Rama Temple : The temple built within rectangular complex
lies at the heart of the royal centre. The temple dates back to early 15th
century. The hall of the Hazara Rama Temple has intricately carved basalt
pillars showcasing the incarnations of Shri Vishnu. Around the exterior
walls of the hall are three rows of sculptures imaging the main events from
the Ramayana.
Queen's bath : The most elaborate of the bathhouses is the 'Queen's
bath' situated in the citadel area, south of the Hazara Rama temple. The
building is a large square structure, remarkable for the contrast between
its plain exterior and the very ornate interior.
Best Season to Visit : September to February.
Reaching Hampi
Air : The nearest Airport is Bellary (974 km); other convenient
airports are Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km).
Rail : The nearest rail point is Hospet from where one travels
another 12 kilometers by road to reach Hampi.
Road : Regular bus services from Bangalore to Hospet.
Shopping in Hampi :
There are a few small shops in the Hampi Bazaar. For Handicrafts, visit
Hospet or Tungabhadra dam. In Hospet Handlooms - Andhra Handloom House, near
Gandhi Chowk, Karnataka Handlooms, Station Road, Tamil Nadu Cooptex, near
Gandhi Chowk are some of the best areas to buy quality items.
Hampi Attractions
