What Should You Know About Hampi Temples in Karnataka Before Visiting

Hampi, a small village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to some of India's most beautiful and ancient temples. When planning a trip to Hampi Temples in Karnataka, its temples are among the best places to visit in Hampi, as these hold a lot of spiritual significance and outstanding workmanship that attract many travellers.

Virupaksha Temple:

This is one of the oldest temples in Hampi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Shree Vijaya Vithala Temple:

Famed for its architecture and historical significance, this 15th-century temple reflects the peak of the Vijayanagara Dynasty.

What to wear:

Many temples in Hampi have a strict dress code, Vastra Sanhita, requiring visitors to dress modestly before entering the temple. The temple authorities advise tourists to visit wearing suitable ethnic attires like Shirts, Pants, Dhoti shirts, Suits and Sarees. Some temples also provide panche for free, ensuring the visitors maintain the sanctity of the temple space.

Where once stood great warriors and masterminds like Harihara, Krishnadeva Raya and Tenali Rama, now stand bare ruins, countless monuments, monasteries and ancient temples. Hampi, the capital of a once-magnificent dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire from the 1330s to 1560s holds an important key to the history of India.

The city has much to offer to tourists. The diverse landscape, surrounded by granite hills and divided by the Tungabhadra River, with ancient ruins on one side and shacks and cafes on the other portrays a contrasting harmony. Hampi tour packages combine the historical wonders of Hampi with the ancient sites, especially its temples.

Adorned with ancient architecture from Kadamba style Nagara Shikhar to Western Chalukya and Dravidian style, verandas and mandapas with intricate carvings, cloistered courtyards and pillars with inscriptions and figurines of gods and mythical heroes, temples in Hampi exemplify the grandeur of the dynasty that ruled in the past.

Each Hampi temple speaks of a history. One that is waiting to be unravelled.

Which Temples to Visit in Hampi?

Hampi Temples in Karnataka opens doors to a profound journey into India's architectural and spiritual heritage. These temples are not only a place of worship but also a repository of art, culture, and history, reflecting the zenith of Dravidian architectural style and the prosperity of the Vijayanagara Empire. Embarking on a temple tour in Hampi is an extravagant experience.

Among the temples to visit in Hampi, we will take you on a tour of a few of the most popular ones.

• Virupaksha Temple
• Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
• Shri Achyutaraaya Swamy Temple
• Badavilinga Temple
• Shree Vijaya Vithala Temple
• Kadalekalu Ganesh Temple
• Laxmi Narasimha Temple
• Ganagitti Temple

Virupaksha Temple

The Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva has its origins tracing back to the 7th century. Built on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Virupaksha Temple is Hampi’s main temple and one of the oldest temples that still remains as a worshipping ground. A certain part of the temple is believed to have stood even before the Vijayanagara Empire. It stands out with its tall towers, nine storied gopurams that rise above other structures and extensive craftsmanship that is proof of the rich lineage and culture. The intricate sculptured details capture the image of mythical Yalis, lion-like creatures mounted atop aquatic beings and Hindu deities in captivating details. The main tower’s inverted silhouette and the triangular shape of the temple is a unique concept brought to life by Krishnadeva Raya. This Hampi Temple, Karnataka celebrates one of the most artistic marvels of the past.

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Situated atop Anjaneya Hill, Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple speaks of the undying tale of friendship and devotion. This Hampi temple has a unique history behind every stone and figure carved inside the sanctum. Believed to be the legendary place where Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman first crossed paths, Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is where even time seems to pause and draws the travellers into the lap of spirituality. Built inside a cave, the temple contains a hexagonal amulet installed by Sri Vyasaraja, one of the Dwaita philosophers depicting Lord Hanuman sitting in a lotus pose. Surrounding the amulet are 12 monkey idols representing the days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Lord Hanuman. Our group tour managers are knowledgeable and know to offer a detailed insight into the history about Hampi Temples and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple holds numerous stories in every stone placed inside and out.

Shri Achyutaraaya Swamy Temple

Built near Matanga hill, Achyutaraaya Temple is one of the oldest temples in Hampi dating back to the 1530s. It depicts the famous Vijayanagara architectural form which now stands in perpetual ruin in the hands of time after several attacks by the monarchs of the Bahamani kingdom. Despite its remote and secluded location, this Hampi Temple in Karnataka has become a popular tourist attraction because of its historical significance, architecture, small shrines, rock shelters and carvings on pillars and on the ground.

Badavilinga Temple

This temple located in Hampi, Karnataka is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to have been commissioned by a peasant woman who lived near Virupaksha Temple. The holy site is located near Laxmi Narasimha Temple and has a large Shiv Lingam that stands submerged in water inside the chamber. While the temple remains destitute, the Lingam stands tall unaffected by the ancient wars in Hampi.

Shree Vijaya Vithala Temple

Celebrated for its architecture, impressive stone-pillared halls and a lone chariot made of granite blocks standing at the entrance, Shree Vijaya Vithala Temple is the most famous temple in Hampi, Karnataka. Located near the Tungabhadra River, the temple dates back to the 15th century and was built by Devaraya II. Shree Vijaya Vithala Temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is presumed to have been the grandest temple during the Vijayanagara dynasty. The South Indian architecture style with its elaborate and artistic carvings remains unmatched throughout history. Attracting a lot of tourists to the temple is the iconic stone chariot standing inside the temple complex, which showcases the skill and craftsmanship of our ancestors.

Kadalekalu Ganesh Temple

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is situated atop Hemakuta Hill in Hampi and houses a huge monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha. The idol carved out of a single boulder is one of the largest statues existing in Hampi. This temple in Hampi, Karnataka is decorated with tall cubical pillars carved out of granite stone that open into a small inner sanctum. The temple has the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture that most temples in Hampi boast. The pillars are carved with mythological characters and Hindu Gods. Carved behind the giant statues is what seems to be the hand of Goddess Parvathi supporting her son from behind. The calm ambience and quaint location of the temple play a big role in its popularity among devotees and travellers.

Laxmi Narasimha Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narasimha in the form of Ugra Narasimha, Laxmi Narasimha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka stands on the southern side of the Hemakuta Hill. Sitting in a cross-legged position inside the temple ruins is a monolith status of Lord Narasimha. The original structure was built in 1528 by Krishnadeva Raya and had a small figure of Goddess Laxmi sitting on the lap of Lord Narasimha. The structure was later vandalised and destroyed by the Mughals after the fated fall of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Ganagitti Temple

Ganagitti Temple is one of the oldest Jain temples in Hampi. Built in the 14th century, this sacred site has its roots tied to the Vijayanagara Dynasty. The temple was built by Iruguppa Daṇḍanāyaka, the commander in chief of Harihara II in 1384. The temple has some significant architectural factors, however, remains devoid of any deity. The complex has a pillared mandapa and a square sanctum that seems to have escaped the post-war destruction. This popular Jain temple in Hampi is often frequented by devotees of the Jain dharma and the seventeenth Tirthankara, Kunthunath.

Embarking on a temple tour in Hampi is a unique experience in itself. Among the grandest and oldest places to visit in Hampi its temples stand at the cusp of myths, worship and wonder. Besides these iconic temples, most Hampi tour packages also cover Hazara Rama Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, Kodanda Rama Temple, Prasanna Virupaksha, Saraswati Temple, Lotus Palace, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Pampa Sarovar, Tungahadra Dam and so much more.

How to experience Hampi?

The best way to experience Hampi is by booking a well-priced group tour package from Veena World.

Thoughtfully curated for those who deserve the best travel experience, Veena World tour packages are a blend of cultural exploration and historical insight. Our all-inclusive packages promise a safe and enjoyable experience and ensure our guests remain stress-free throughout the tour. We also provide customized tour packages that offer a comprehensive experience of Hampi temples in Karnataka and nearby regions.

Embark on a Hampi tour with us and immerse yourself in the history of ancient India and the ruins that remain.