Hampi

Hampi is a small city in Karnataka that partly hosts a group of monuments and is declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is dotted with several ruins of temples and historical landmarks belonging to the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi was a part of that empire’s capital, Vijayanagara, back in the 14th century. But its existence is believed to predate even that rule, with its mentions being in the ancient epic, Ramayana. It has been a prime centre of Karnataka tourism in the state since the 1960s, attracting both casual tourists and history enthusiasts from all over the country and the world. It used to be an offbeat tourist attraction due to the lack of proper infrastructure. However, with hundreds of remarkable places to visit in Hampi, it has now become a prominent spot for tourism in the state. 

Since this ancient city emerged as a tourist attraction within Karnataka, it has been a prime spot for sightseeing and motorbikers, who would gather on the Hampi tourist places or hills in the region and host spiritual retreats. During a visit, individuals can learn a lot about the ancient Vijayanagara Empire, everything ranging from culture to architecture. There are tons of places to visit in Hampi, including hundreds of historical monuments, bastions, street markets, etc., belonging to the Vijayanagara Empire. Besides this, tourists can also indulge in a variety of activities during their trip. Some other fun things to do in Hampi include cycling, rock climbing, coracle rides, boating, shopping, etc.

Location

The magnificent town of Hampi is located within the district of Vijayanagara in the state of Karnataka, India. It lies along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, surrounded by valleys and hills near the eastern state border. Hospet City, one of the best places near Hampi to visit, is about 13 kilometres to the southwest of this heritage site. The group of monuments at Hampi is also located within the town. Its official address is Hampi (town), Vijayanagara District, Karnataka, India. As for its distance from other major cities in the state, Hampi is 340 kilometres from Bengaluru, 61 kilometres from Ballari, 168 kilometres from Hubballi and 140 kilometres from Davanagere. 

Language spoken in Hampi 

Kannada, the state’s official language, is predominantly spoken in Hampi and its surrounding region. Apart from this, tourists may also come across individuals speaking other languages, such as Urdu, Telugu and, sometimes, a little bit of Hindi. If tourists are unfamiliar with the local languages, they can try conversing in English with the residents and the tourist-driven local enterprises. Even though it sort of works as the unofficial prime medium for interactions, not everyone may understand it. Hence, it is best to hire a tour guide from the local villages, who will be able to help you convey your thoughts and explain the stories about the ancient attractions in the region.

Known for

A lot of factors are responsible for making Hampi a prominent tourist site within Karnataka. Here’s what the town is famous for:

• Ancient ruins: The history of Hampi stretches back thousands of years, and most of it is still evident through the remnants of over 500 ancient monuments, treasury buildings, glorious temples, bastions, and other structures. The majority of them date back to the historic Vijayanagara Empire, which it used to be a part of. The intricately carved temples and palaces are examples of the immaculate architectural brilliance of that era and are the main highlights of the place. Examples of tourist attractions and places to visit in Hampi include Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Lotus Palace, Hampi Bazaar, etc. 
• Hampi Utsav: The Hampi Utsav, also known as the “Vijaya Festival”, is one of the biggest festivals hosted in the ruined city of Hampi. This historic event has been celebrated since the time of the Vijayanagara Empire and is currently organised by the State Government. It is marked by traditional dance and music events, water sports, exuberant processions, live performances, rangoli competitions, food stalls, and much more. It is a major tourist attraction in the region. 
• Natural getaway: Nestled amidst the valleys and hills of Karnataka, Hampi acts as a peaceful getaway. Being far from bustling city life, it offers a space where tourists can relax and soak in the beauty of nature alongside picking up on regional history. The Tungabhadra riverside is one of the best Hampi places to visit where tourists can enjoy Coracle rides. The boulders of varying sizes lying across the town are mysterious themselves. One can get a phenomenal view of the surrounding area by climbing on top of the Matanga Hills, which is one of the must-visit Hampi tourist places.

Type of place

The ancient city of Hampi is where history and nature collide in the most beautiful way. It is a place where tourists can not only spend time amidst the serene natural landscapes but also witness and learn about the ancient Vijayanagara Empire through the ruins. From monolithic structures and palaces to elephant stables and ruins of fortified walls, there’s a lot to see in Hampi. The place can also be considered a spiritual getaway, as most of its attractions are religious shrines, like Virupakhsa Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Badavilinga Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, etc.

How to get to Hampi?

For individuals planning on visiting Hampi in Karnataka for a trip, here are some transport options to consider:

By air

There are a lot of options for tourists planning on visiting Hampi via flight. Even though the temple town doesn’t have an airport of its own, there are several located in close proximity. For example, Bellary Airport is 60 km away, the JSW Vidyanagar Airport in Toranagallu is 40 km away, and the Hubli Airport is 143 km away. However, Bengaluru Airport is the best option in terms of wide connectivity and availability of frequent flights from reputed airlines. Once at the airport, individuals can easily cover the rest of the journey to Hampi via road or take domestic flights from Bengaluru to Hubli or Bellary and then hire a cab to reach the temple town.

By rail

Hampi doesn’t have its own rail connectivity, and the nearest train station to the city of ruins is Hospet Junction (HPT). Even though travelling by rail is a fast and economical option, tourists should know that there are only a few trains that pass through this station. It is advised to book tickets in advance as they get sold out quickly, especially during peak tourism season. Once at the Hospet Junction, individuals can opt for a bus, auto or cab to Hampi and cover the remaining 13 kilometres in less than 30-40 minutes.

By road

Hampi has decent road connectivity, linking the heritage site to major cities in the state as well as the rest of the country. Individuals can drive to the town in their private or rental cars, which makes up for an exciting road trip. Hampi also has its own bus station, located near the Bazaar area. So, individuals can go for intercity or interstate buses to reach the town from places like Bangalore, Hubballi, Pune, Mumbai, etc.

Interesting facts about Hampi 

Hampi is a place full of historical wonders and mysteries. Here are some interesting facts about the ancient town that you should know about:

• The original name of Hampi was “Pampa-Kshetra''. It was named after Pampa, one of the names of the Hindu Deity Goddess Parvati. On the other hand, the gorgeous Tungabhadra River flowing adjacent to the ancient town was called the Pampa River. It is also believed that Goddess Parvati used to reside within the Hemkunt Hills of Hampi as a Yogini, in order to convince Lord Shiva to marry her. 
• Despite being popularly associated with the Vijayanagara Empire, the historical roots of Hampi stretch thousands of years. It is also closely linked to the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana. According to the legends, Hampi is believed to be the land of the monkey kingdom Kiskindha. The Hanuman Temple in North Hampi is among the most popular Hampi places to visit as it is believed that Lord Hanuman used to reside there. 
• Hampi, under Vijayanagara Empire, was one of the world’s largest international trade centres in the 14th-15th century.  
• The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is among the world’s oldest living Hindu temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple was initially founded in the 7th century and later developed under the Chalukya era. It is one of the most popular Hampi places to visit. 
• The Vittala Temple in Hampi is an architectural marvel of the bygone era. It houses 56 melodic columns, known as musical pillars or SAREGAMA pillars, which are quite popular among tourists. These pillars generate soothing melodies when tapped lightly. The Vittala Temple is among the top Hampi Karnataka tourist places you can check out. 
• The Hazara Ram Temple in Hampi houses a number of unique and rare relics. These are believed to be from the era of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. It is one of the most beautiful places to see in Hampi.
• Due to the invasions led by Deccan Sultans in 1565, the glorious city of Hampi was left in ruins. However, a number of Hampi places still stand in perfect shape to date and are remarkable records of ancient times.
• The landscape of Hampi is a mysterious work of nature itself. History, science and mythology have their own explanations behind these formations. 

Why is Hampi recommended? 

Hampi is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Karnataka for individuals interested in history. It is home to hundreds of ancient monuments, most of which are in ruins while others still stand tall in pristine condition. The place not only paints an immaculate picture of the rich regional past but also talks a lot about the architectural brilliance and diverse culture of a glorious empire. Remnants of palaces, royal baths, elephant stables, etc., the site has a lot of interesting things to fuel curious minds. 

Most of the ancient monuments in Hampi are religious shrines, including several Hindu temples, six Jain temples and a Muslim mosque and tomb. The intricate carvings and phenomenal architecture of these monuments are true works of wonder. So, besides history buffs and casual tourists, individuals interested in spiritual tours from the bygone era can also visit Hampi during their Karnataka holidays. Other than Hampi sightseeing, the ancient city is also a great spot for explorations and adventures. If bike riding, rock climbing, Coracle rides, shopping, etc., piques your interest, make sure to spend a day or two in Hampi.

Operating hours 

Hampi, the city of ruins, is perfect for a visit around the year. Generally, the Hampi Archaeological Ruins are open to tourists from 6 AM to 6 PM. Tourists can visit the site any day of the week, however, it should be noted that the attractions within the site may have different operating hours. 

Chart for Hampi