Hampi - Karnataka
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Hampi is an major popular village, in the Bellary district of Karnataka. The village 343 Kms away from Bangalore is located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Hampi located 74 Kms away from district headquarter Bellary and 13 Kms from Hospet, the taluka headquarters. The village is situated with in the ruins of Vijayanagara, the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara empire. Hampi was the one of the famous centre of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. The ruins of the 14th century covered total area of 26 sq. km amidst giant boulders and vegetation. The village is also known as 'The City of Ruins' and has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi is an important religious centre and has many temples and several monuments of the old city. The Vijaynagara kings were patrons of excellent art and architecture. One can see the glimpse of grandeur of Vijayanagara Empire here. The main languages are Kannada, Telugu and English. The Government of Karnataka organizes the Vijayanagar Festival, every year in December, which recreates the grandeur of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Tourism
Virupaksha temple
Also called as the Pampapathi temple, it is located to the western end of Hampi Bazaar. It is a Shiva temple established during by Vijayanagara Empire. The temple has a 120 feet high tower on its eastern entrance. The Virupaksha temple complex has the shrines of Hindu goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa.
Ugra Narashima.
Near the Virupaksha temple is the 6.7 metre high monolith statue of Ugra Narashima. The idol depicts Narshima as a seated four-armed figure under a canopy of a seven-hooded snake. During the rule of Krishnadeva Raya ,an inscription nearby depicts, that it was made of a single stone.
Vithala Temple Complex
The temple is situated about 2 Kms east of Hampi Bazaar. The ruins of the temple have been listed as a World Heritage monument. The temple having complex and better condition of preservation and depicts the sculpture work of Vijaynagar art. The temple has 56 musical pillars that reverberate when tapped.
Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple
The Malyavanta Raghunatha swamy temple stands on the Kamalapura- Hampi road. Established in Dravidian style the outer walls of temple have been carved with strange looking fishes and marine monsters.
The massive Shivlinga having 3 m height with old channel ,is placed next to Narasimha statue.
Virupaksha Bazaar
The 32 metre wide and 728 metre Long Street, is the longest street established by the Vijaynagara kings. It is placed between the Virupaksha Temple and the foot of the Matanga Hill.
King's Balance.
The King's Balance was the place where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money that was then distributed to the poor.
Lotus Mahal
This two-storeyed pavilion is situated in the 'Zenana' enclosure. This palace offers a beautiful example of the Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. The palace shaped like a lotus flower from top, has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.
Queen's Bath
It is situated in the fortress area, south of the Hazaara Rama Temple. The Queen's Bath is a massive square shape structure known for the perfect contrast between its plain exterior and the nicely ornate interior. This bath has 15 meter width and 1.8 meter depth is surrounded by finely decorated arched corridors and projecting balconies.
Hazara Rama Temple.
The temple situated at the middle of royal capital, lies with in a rectangular complex. The temple shows the history of early 15th century. The delicately carved basalt inside the hall depicts the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The exterior walls of the hall have three rows of statues illustrating stories from the Ramayana.
How to reach Hampi
By Air - The nearest airport from Hampi are Tornagallu, Bellary, Belagum and Bangalore.
By Rail - Hospet is located 13 km from Hampi, is the nearest railway station. Hospet is connected to Bangalore, Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal.
By Road - bus services are available ragularly from nearby places to Hospet and other places.
