Backpacker's Paradise-Hampi
Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state, India.
Among the attractions of Hampi are beautiful temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings... the list is practically endless. Hampi is a backpacker's paradise, the same way a pilgrim's delight.
Among the attractions of Hampi are beautiful temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings... the list is practically endless. Hampi is a backpacker's paradise, the same way a pilgrim's delight.
WHERE IS THE HISTORICAL CITY HAMPI?
Hampi, the historical and mythological city is located in Karnataka. From Bengaluru, the distance of Hampi is about 365 km and from Hyderabad, it is 380 km. So you can easily access the place from both Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Hospet is the nearest town. Thus Hampi can serve as a great weekend destination from Bangalore and Hyderabad.
How to explore Hampi as a solo traveller?
Hampi solo travel tops the bucket-list for most, if not all backpackers. The name ‘Hampi’ did not ring a bell for many travellers till the past some years. But as of late, this culturally rich village has become a favourite pick among passionate backpackers and solo travellers.
An escape to the once magnificent capital of the Vijayanagar empire will prove to be a remarkable experience. You can expect to witness only the remains of what was once a prosperous site. Hampi is hence with due respect referred to as the ‘City of Ruins’.
Hampi solo travel is worth every bit, not just in terms of money, but also for the time that one would spend there. It is a unique destination for what it has to offer. The mammoth boulders and ruins of the temples and palaces are bound to set one wondering about the past of the village. It is for this reason that this locale is sprawling with travellers throughout the year.
How to reach Hampi?
The nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet. Hospet is well connected to Bangalore by buses and train. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi. We took an overnight bus from Bangalore to Hospet. From Hospet we took an auto to Hampi. The auto took Rs.150 from us. There are local buses from Hospet to Hampi that you can get from the Hospet bus stand. The nearest airport to Hampi is the Bengaluru airport.
What is the time to visit Hampi?
Hampi can be visited all around the year, But the best time to visit Hampi is from October to December. During November you could also attend the Hampi utsava which is famous among the visiting tourists and the common people.
What is Hampi famous for?
Hampi is famous for its ancient monuments which attracts the tourists from different cultures. Hampi is well-known for its architecture and its historical beliefs. Hampi is also known as 'City of Ruins'. It's a dream destinations for the history lovers and the story tellers. The best places to visit are:
- Virupaksha Temple:
The Virupaksha or Pampapati temple is a most sacred living temple of Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. Standing tall near the market area, It is an important place of worship for all the Shiva worshippers.
- Vitthala Temple and Stone Chariot:
The Vitthala temple is one of the most important temples found at Hampi, as it marks the highest worksmanship indicating the maturing Vijayanagara phase of architecture. It is also known as Vittaleswara in the inscriptions. The Sone Chariot, as it is often referred as the tourist attraction of Hampi and it is located inside the Vitthala temple campus. Vitthala temple and Stone chariot are must to bro things in your Hampi itinerary.
- Narasimha Shrine and Badavi linga:
The huge monolithic sculpture of Lakshmi Narasimha located near Krishna Temple. It is one the most outstanding works of sculptural art of Vijayanagara. The statue is of 6.70 meters hewn out of a massive boulder, by Krishnabhatta. Badavi Linga is very close to the shrine of Narasimha and its nearly 3 meters high.
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Lotus Mahal is an secular structure at Hampi. It is also known as Chitrangi Mahal is very good example of Indo-Islamic style of architecture, which is a two storied structure built in rubble masonary and finely plastered. The superstructure crowned by nine miniature structures resembling the gopura.
- Elephants Stable:
A small guarded entrance on the eastern enclosure wall of the Zanana Enclosure leads to the area of the Elephants stable. The elephants stable stable is represented by a homogenous group of chambers with high arched facade with lofty doomed roof.
- Queens Bath:
This is a large square structure with and an ornate interior. It faces south and has a bath area of 15 meter square and 1.8 meter deep. Around the square bath in the middle here corridors with ornate balconies with cut-plaster decoration projecting into the well.
Places to stay and eat:
Hampi has a lot of accommodation options for various ranges. You can stay near the market area near the Virupaksha Temple where you will find a lot of options according to your choice. You can also opt to stay on the other side of the Tungabhadra River. There are a number of homestays in this area. This area has a Goa like feel to it. The foreigners mostly stay in this part. If you want cheaper eating options, the best places are the roadside shops. We had great South Indian fares at the roadside at a very cheap rate.
What is the best way to travel around Hampi ?
Hampi is a place that should be explored and discovered by yourself. At Hampi, you will get bicycles at rent at very cheap rate. You will get bicycles without gear at Rs.100/- per day and with gear at Rs.150/- per day. You can also get moped for rent at Rs.200/- per day. You will not get scooty and bikes for rent at the temple side of Hampi.
Why should you visit Hampi?
If heritage and history is your thing, if you get intrigued by the stories of the past, then Hampi is a place that you must visit. Each stone in Hampi tells a story, be it stories about the Vijaynagar kingdom or the mythological stories that are so good to listen.
If you like the architecture of the past, visit Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple are the finest examples of architectures. You will simply get awed by the intricate designs and craftsmanship of these structures.
If you like adventure, then you must visit Hampi. You will get wonderful opportunity to do bouldering. The coracle ride at the Tungabhadra river is also a beauty.
If you love nature, visit Hampi. A small temple town beside the Tungabhadra river dotted with numerous boulders seems a playground for nature’s architecture.
Simply visit Hampi. Unless you visit the place, you will definitely not know why you should visit Hampi.
If you like the architecture of the past, visit Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple are the finest examples of architectures. You will simply get awed by the intricate designs and craftsmanship of these structures.
If you like adventure, then you must visit Hampi. You will get wonderful opportunity to do bouldering. The coracle ride at the Tungabhadra river is also a beauty.
If you love nature, visit Hampi. A small temple town beside the Tungabhadra river dotted with numerous boulders seems a playground for nature’s architecture.
Simply visit Hampi. Unless you visit the place, you will definitely not know why you should visit Hampi.