Hampi: A Backpacker's Paradise

Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra in Northern Karnataka, the group of monuments in Hampi is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With historical & architectural significance, Hampi is known for its magnificent ruins and unearthly landscape. Exhibiting ruins of glorious Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi is charismatic even in its ruined state.

As the best time to visit this open museum is from October to March, I visited Hampi in second week of October. The nearest railway station to the place is Hospet, which is well connected by road to all towns of Karnataka. Though quite popular among foreign tourists, Hampi is still not that commercialized and the one can get decent lodging and food here at reasonable costs.  

Mine was a two day trip to Hampi & nearby areas, and I still wish that I would have got one more day to explore this magnificent part of history. Hampi is a small village spread over 26 square kilometres of boulder -strewn hills and planes, which make the backdrop of Hampi distinctive. Dotted around the hills & its valleys are over 500 monuments and other attractions, which can be visited in a day or two, but the finest experience can be found only in lingering over for a while.

First Day:

Though it is highly recommended to rent a bicycle or scooter, I chose to hire an auto rickshaw. My first day was planned to cover the entire village area, consisting ruins of various temples, religious buildings and royal palaces. One can witness pure Hindu architecture in the remains of temples like Vithala Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, underground Shiva Temple and Achyutaraya Temple. Virupaksha Temple is the only living temple with the status of deity still preserved, unlike other monuments. 

Temple premises

Entrance to underground Shiva Temple

Interior of underground Shiva Temple filled with water

Virupaksha Temple

The cravings and paintings on roofs and walls of these temples portray various stories of Ramayana & Mahabharata.

Story depiction on walls

Stepped Tank build near temple premises is another spectacle to see.

Monolithic statues of Narasimha-Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha & Shivalinga showcase the architectural brilliance of Vijayanagara Empire in medieval period as they were carved out of single rock.

Remains of palaces and royal enclosures like Lotus Mahal (in shape of Lotus) and Queens’ Bath display grandeur of ancient India.

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal

Queens' Bath

Stone Chariot is the epitome of Hampi which is still standing as if built yesterday. 

Elephant Stable was used by Army to keep elephants and Hampi Bazaar which was a market place for common people presents itself in a very subtle way. 

Elephant stable

Hampi Bazaar

I could not visit many places due to time constraint but then at the end of the day, I was gratified enough to have a sound sleep, for being prepared for next day sightseeing.

Second Day:

Second Day was planned for outdoors of Hampi village, which started off with a visit to Kishkindha Kshetra, to a cave where it is believed that the battle between Sugriva & Bali took place and Lord Rama killed Bali. On the way which was around 40 kms, there was a giant bridge supposed to be 600 years old.

Then there was Anjani Parvat, the mention of which is in Ramayana as the birth place of Lord Hanuman. One has to climb around 400 stairs to reach at the top to visit Hanuman Temple. Amidst the green paddy field, the view from top seemed astounding.

Then I visited Pampa Sarovar, which has its mention in Hindu mythology.

Sanapur Lake Reservoir is another attraction nearby, where tourists can experience coral boating, which is yet another experience of its own kind- rotating speedily in a round basket-like boat in middle of the lake. This place is also known for partying by youngsters.
              

Last I visited was the dam built over Tungabhadra River, which looked spectacular from top of the hill that we climbed through a bus.

As my trip to this exquisite place came to end, sitting on the Bus Stand, I just wished to come back here again and re-live the ruins of ancient India that we had studied only in text books till now. Hampi, in truest sense, is a backpacker’s paradise.