27/08/2019
Hampi – An Ancient glory of South India
A fabled lost city with a stark, yet intriguing landscape is swathed in color by the markets burgeoning with silk, precious stones, and extravagant festivals. This southern gem is set upon an unearthly landscape with giant boulders perching precariously over miles of undulating terrain. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury buildings. However, within this arid landscape lies a little oasis with lush palm, banana, and mango trees nestled near the river.
Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second-largest city in the world at that time. Before the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, diamonds were sold on the streets. The main street selling diamonds and other precious stones was surprisingly called Pan Supaari Street. A visitor can still see the exact location of Pan Supari Street in Hampi, which has been marked with a board by Archaeological Survey of India.
Set against the azure sky, this World Heritage Site invites you to lose yourself amongst its wistful ruins. Some of the attractions:
- Virupaksha Temple
One of the city’s oldest structures, built-in 1442, Virupaksha Temple is still in use today. This architectural wonder is dedicated to Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, and found within the Hampi Bazaar. As you enter through the giant entrance towers and wander through its pillared halls, look out for Lakshmi, the temple elephant, who will bless you in exchange for a coin. If you are an early riser, visit the ghats at 830 to watch Lakshmi get her morning bath.
- Vittala Temple
Approaching this most extravagant architectural showpiece, found amid a boulder-strewn landscape, no words quite capture the magnificence of the spectacle before you. Vittala Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was commissioned during the reign of Krishnadevaraya in the 16th Century but was never finished or consecrated; yet the temple’s sculptural work remains the pinnacle of Vijayanagar art. Surrounded by walls, within the complex you will find an array of halls, pavilions and temples set out before you. In pride of place is the ornate Stone Chariot, which stands imposingly tall upon wheels that, in times gone by, were capable of turning. The halls within the site are carved with an overwhelming array of sculptures on the giant granite pillars and the outer ‘musical’ pillars are famed for the music they make when tapped, although now they are protected beyond the reach of tourists.
- Hampi Bazaar
Once a thriving market filled the buzz of daily life, Hampi Bazaar now stands as a testament to times gone by. With an impressive street structure lined with a series of old pavilions, the road is located in front of the Virupaksha temple and stretches around a kilometer from the east end of the temple to the foothill of the Matanga hills.
- Royal Centre
Accessed by foot over a 2km trail from Achyutaraya Temple or by road, the Royal Centre is a flatter area where the boulders have been crafted into walls. At this site, you will find the walled ladies quarters called the Zenana Enclosure and the Lotus Mahal, which is a delicately designed pavilion where the Queen used to go for recreation. This recreation castle overlooks the elephant stables, which is a grand building with domed chambers.
Food options in and around Hampi:
- Mango Tree
This laid back restaurant, surrounded by a banana plantation is renowned with locals and travelers for its eclectic menu and comfortable setting. The open-air restaurant offers to seat on straw mats from the kitchen down to the river. A large mango tree towers above the restaurant offering shade while still providing splendid views to the river.
- Geeta River View Restaurant
This riverside restaurant is found east of the bazaar on the small road heading to the Vitthala temple and serves delicious, creative Indian cuisine. Eating al fresco with a view down to the river takes some beating, especially when accompanied by their most innovative cashew-nut curry.
- New Shanthi
This relaxed restaurant has a hippie vibe with trance music and acid blue lighting serving a delicious range of food from Mexican to Italian. The teas are delicious and the atmosphere light and breezy.
Connectivity to Hampi
By Flight
Hampi does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Hubli Airport. 144 km away
By Train
Instead of Hampi, you can a get a train to Kariganuru on a regular basis. 10 km away
By Bus
There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Hampi.
Hampi is worth a side visit!
