Even with its rocks and ruins, Hampican leave a person speechless with its beautiful landscape. Located in northern Karnataka, Hampi once seated the Vijayanagara Empire. This town is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture and heritage, also recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hampi has some of country’s most famous and religious temples, ancient market streets, treasury buildings etc. Let’s just say that Hampi is a place where monuments reveal many secrets.The town has a massive backdrop of hills that makes it one of the best holiday destination in India. The city resides more than 500 historical monuments. It is considered both, paradise for a hitchhiker and also a pilgrim’s pleasure.
Hampi is easily accessible through trains, flights and buses. If you are travelling from far states such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc, then the best option for you is to take a train to the HospetJn, from there your destination is a short bus ride. If you are not a fan of long and exhausting journey, then the best way for you is to take a flight to Bangalore and from there hop onto the Hampi express. The state runs the KSRTC which provides its services to many town and cities around Karnataka.
With so many places to visit in Hampi, following are the must visit spots:
1. The Sacred Centre:
One of the most religious places in the city, situates numerous monuments and temples. This is the hub for the backpackers and pilgrims. The Centre in the north is bounded by the river Tungabhadra, which has the local ferry services that provide a tour around the Virupapur Gadde and Anegondi. The Centre has the Virupaksha temple one of the oldest temples in the city, Hampi bazaar (also known as the Virupaksha bazaar), The SasivekaluGanesha which has a massive Ganesha statue.
2. The Royal Centre:
It is inhabited by many refined and military structures. The main road to Hampi from hospet passes through The Royal Centre before ending at the Sacred Centre. The many attractions in this Centre include the Hazara Rama Temple which is said to have its walls carved with comical strips of the Ramayana. The Centre also has other places such as the Lotus Mahal, Queen’s bath, elephant stables,Palace of ViraHarihara, etc.
3. The Islamic Quarter:
This quarter is the residential area for the Muslim officers of the Vijayanagara court and army. Here you can see many tombs and religious buildings. The most famous are the Ahmed Khan’s mosque and Tomb which also has a well close by. The tomb is constructed in a typical Islamic style. You can also see the Talarigatta gate which was one of the entrances into the urban capital from the riverside, Vishnu Temple and many more.
4. Kamalapura:
The small but very crowded suburb which is located just on the outside of Hampi. It has many interesting monuments such as the Pattabhirama temple and the domed gate. It also run the Archeology museum located in the heart of the place.Kamalapura also has one of the few luxury hotels in Hampi.
5. Anegondi:
Originally this was the capital of the kingdom, before Hampi was made the imperial capital. The important sites at Anegondi are the Hanuman Temple and the Ranganata Temple. It also has a village square which has the resorts and huts for rental in Hampi.
If you wish to go back in time and want to see Indian archeology or you are a fan of rock climbing, ancient ruins, temples, and many more, your bucket list should definitely have Hampi as one of the destination.
