Hampi City Guide
Travel Hampi, famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site. As a main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two broad areas: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram.. tour Hampi to discover this fascinating site of the state.
Hampi is located beside the Tungabhadra River at the heart of Karnataka and is about 50 kms from Bellary and 13 km from Hospet. The capital of famous Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar Empire during 14th century to middle of 16th century, Hampi is regarded as one of the important historical cities of India. Famous as the magnificent city of ruins, probably this is the only ruined city of any significance to be seen in India. Declared as a World Heritage Center, Hampi is the most beautiful and wonderful of all the ruins in India.
Hampi at a Glance
Encompassing some of the great temples and monuments, Karnataka promises a fulfilling experience. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments, attract the traveler because of their excellent workmanship. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site. As a kaleidoscope to various activities your Karnataka tour will definitely be a retreat for you all. With attractions like Badami Caves, Nagarhole national park, and Vidhan Soudha, Karnataka tour is definitely a delight for tourists.
Local Attractions of Hampi
Hampi treasures some exquisite examples of temple architecture of that period. The Virupaksha Temple, Achutaraya Temple, Hazara Rama Temple and the Vithala Temple are worth visiting here. Queen's bath, monolithic Ganesha, Ugra Narasimha, the watch towers are some of the other relics worth visiting in Hampi representing the history and culture of the Great Vijaynagar Empire.
Places to Visit Around Hampi
The Hampi excursions tour would be an exciting journey through enchanting locales. THere are few must visit places around Hampi such as:
Tungabhadra Dam : The Tungabhadra Dam harnesses the waters of the Tungabhadra River. At the base of the dam is a garden styled along Japanese lines.
Ramanadurga : It is a Hill-Station amidst a group of granite hills. There is a temple dedicated to Ramadeva.
Fairs and Festivals of Hampi
Hampi is famous for Purandara Festival. This annual festival is held in January-February in the Vittal temple to celebrate the birth anniversary of the medieval poet-composer, Purandar.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March.
Staying Options
Hampi does not have many hotels, but the tourist can find a number of lodges and guest houses. Most of these are concentrated in Hampi Bazaar area near the main bus station and the Tourist Office. Travelers can also find lodges and guest houses in the area north of the bazaar across the Tungabhadra River. Accommodation in Hampi is very cheap. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Council's hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari is located in Kamalapuram area to the southeast of Hampi Bazaar.
