"Vijayanagara" is such that the pupil of they eye has never seen a place like it.." so eulogized Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy who visited Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom, in 1443.

You can still glimpse the splendour of Vijayanagara in its ruins. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of a 700m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar. This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. Nearby is the 6.7 m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha, seated under a canopy of a seven hooded snake.

The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtly the Vithala Temple Complex. The 56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve! Hampi is full of such surprises. Like the King's Balance, where ruling kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor. Or the Queen's Bath, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus - shaped fountains. Or even the Lotus Mahal in the 'Zenana' enclosure.

A beautiful Two-Storied place with recessed archways set in geometric regularity and opening out to the sun and the wind like the petals of a flower. The imposing Elephant Stables have arched entrances and domes. And in the Royal Enclosure of the city is the Hazara Rama Temple.

Explore Hampi at your own pace. Its monuments - like its centuries old

 patience and wisdom must be savoured bit by bit.

 

 

ACCESS 

While the nearest airport is Bellasy (74 km), Hospet (11 km) is the nearest railhead. It is also connected by road to several important tourist centres like Aihole (146 km), Badami (150 km), Bangalore (353 km) and Bijapur (254 km).

 

PLACES OF INTEREST

Virupaksha Temple, Monolithic Ganesha, Krishna Temple, Elephant Stables, Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal, Vithala Temple.

EXCURSIONS

Tungabhadra Dam (17 km).

Local Festival

The Vijayanagar Festival
is organized by the Government of Karnataka in December. Dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet shows, spectacular processions, all combine to recreate the grandeur of the bygone era.

Languages Spoken:
Kannada, Hindi, English. When to go there. October to March.

 

 

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