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Hampi Tourism

About Hampi Tourism

Lying on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was once the centre of the Vijayanagar Empire. Today it is renowned for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state of Karnataka. Hampi tourism in Karnataka is particularly popular for the ruins of temples, elephant stables and sculptures found in the region.

No matter whether you desire to visit pilgrimage sites or want to check out interesting ancient monuments, Hampi city tourism will allow you to enjoy all of it. The brilliant workmanship and architecture of the ancient temples in Hampi enchant people from near and far. Here, you can find ruins of ancient edifices intermingled with large boulders that dot the landscape. Getting the chance to check out the fascinating rock formations, along with ancient palace and temple ruins will surely make your Hampi trip memorable. It is an ideal destination for both a weekend getaway and as part of a longer travel itinerary.

Prior to the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, diamonds were sold on the “Pan Supaari Street” of Hampi. You can see the exact location of the street even today, as it has been marked with a board by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Hampi tourism is popular throughout the year due to the moderate and pleasant weather prevalent here. Hence, you can plan a tour of this charming coastal city anytime you want.

Best Time to Visit Hampi

The ideal time to plan a tour to Hampi would be in the winter months, from October to February. The temperature here remains moderately cool and pleasant during this time, making it perfect for sightseeing. Some of the most popular festivals of Hampi, including the Vijaya Utsav (Festival of Hampi) are celebrated in November. You may also plan a trip during the monsoons, which start in July and may last till September as this region seldom receives heavy downpours.

Experience The Best Of Hampi

Here are a few of the places you must check out on a sightseeing tour in Hampi:

Virupaksha Temple:

The Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts thousands of devotees every year. It is renowned for being one of the oldest functioning temples in India. This ancient temple is built on the banks of River Tungabhadra and is among the prime highlights of Hampi tourism. The exquisite architecture and history of Virupaksha temple have enabled it to earn a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The main entrance of the temple faces east and features two courtyards. Right after entering the temple, you will find a statue of Nandi with three heads. There also is a pillared hall in the centre, known as the Ranga Mandapa. Virupaksha Temple belongs to Pattadakal monuments, which implies to a set of Jain and Hindu temples in Karnataka.

Vitthala Temple:

A Hampi itinerary will be incomplete without a visit to the Vijaya Vittala Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and its gorgeous architecture dates back to the Dravidian era. The Vitthala Temple complex is expansive. Its main gate comprises an impressive arch with intricate carvings, and opens in a large courtyard with a stunning stone chariot in the centre. There is no entry cost for the temple. The main temple lies behind the chariot, while several other smaller temples are present inside the courtyard. The carvings on the walls and pillars of the Vitthala Temple largely depict various gods in different forms. The temple also has “musical pillars” which make musical chimes once tapped delicately.

Lotus Mahal:

When thinking about Hampi tourism, you cannot give this iconic landmark a miss. The Lotus Mahal gets its name from its structure which looks quite like a lotus in bloom. The central dome of the structure resembles the bud of a lotus, while its passages and balcony have been designed to look like its petals. Its roof presents an excellent example of a multi-layered design. Its stunning architecture makes the Lotus Mahal a must-visit sightseeing spot. Traditionally, this palace was meant to be the designated area for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is popular for being one of the very few edifices in Hampi that was not destroyed due to the Mughal raids and the ravages of time.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple:

A prominent part of Hampi tourism packages, this temple houses a grand statue of Lord Narasimha sitting on a coil of a snake with seven heads in a Yoga position. Lord Narasimha is considered to be the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and is portrayed as a half lion and half human. The statue was built in 1528 AD and is around 6.7 metres tall.

How To Reach Hampi

There are many ways to reach this site, making Hampi tourism in Karnataka quite popular.

Flight: The nearest airport is in Bellary, located about 60 km from Hampi. The nearest international airport to Hampi is at Bengaluru, around 350 km away. Taxi services are available from both these airports.

Road: There are bus services to Hampi or to Hospet available from many major cities, like Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore and Bellary. You can reach Hampi in about 40 minutes by a local state-run bus from Hospet. NH4 connects Bangalore to Hampi, and takes approximately seven hours to reach.

Train: Hospet Junction (13 km away) is the nearest railway station to Hampi. This railway station is well-linked to the rest of the country. You will find regular trains for Hospet from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa and more.