Hampi, the architectural marvel and epitome of ancient civilization is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra in Ballari, Karnataka. The city of ruins which is spread over 41.5 sq km was the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It is an open museum with 100’s of locations surrounded by 500 odd ancient monuments or structures to explore. This place was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986.
Hampi was considered one of the richest and largest cities in the world during the heydays of the Vijayanagara empire from the 15th to 16th centuries. It is home to ancient temples, ruins of palaces remain of aquatic structures, monolithic structures, ancient bazaar streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, forts, treasury buildings, and several other architectural surprises spread over a vast area. All these ancient monuments showcase the exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship and Workmanship this kingdom possessed. The Virupaksha temple, Vittala temple, stone chariot, Elephant stable, Lotus Mahal, and queen’s bath should be on top of your list. Apart from this, this was also the major trading center for cotton, spices, and gemstones.
Outside of this, Hampi which is full of rugged terrains and rocky boulders has the adventurous side attached to it. You can witness adventurous activities like trekking, rock climbing, cliff jumping, coracle rides, etc. Try climbing the small hillocks around the cities to have a better view of the ruins of the Vijayanagara kingdom.
Hampi is a delight for tourists, Backpackers as well as the people who seek religious blessings, thus is considered among the best places to visit in Karnataka.
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Shopping
If you are a shopping freak then head to Streets next to Virupaksha temple which is flooded with shops on either side. These shops offer antique coins, traditional costumes, handicrafts, artifacts, colorful bags, jewelry, silk clothes, cotton clothes, etc. Do not miss out on stuff with Lambani prints which is the specialty in this region. Also, try hitting the place in the morning to skip the hustle-bustle of travelers and tourists in the evening.
What To Eat While In Hampi
As tourists and travelers from various corners of the world pay a visit to Hampi, you can witness a variety of cuisines. However, as Hampi is a temple town, the scope for non-vegetarian food is limited. Nevertheless, don’t miss an opportunity to gobble down on Spicy south Indian dishes.
Hampi Utsav
You can visit this place during Hampi Utsav or post-monsoon in the months of October to February. Hampi Utsav is a 3-day cultural festival which is organized by the tourism department of Karnataka every year. This festival showcases the rich history and culture of Vijayanagara in the form of dance, drama, songs, music, etc. Usually, you will be able to see the whole town flooded with travelers and being lit up with colorful lights.
How To Reach Hampi
Hampi, being one of the most popular sites, is well-connected from major cities of Karnataka. The City of ruins “Hampi” is situated just 12 kilometers away from the Hospet town in the Ballari district. You can either take frequently available buses or trains from Bangalore to Hospet. From Hospet, you can hire an auto-rickshaw to reach historic town Hampi
Also, read: Places To Visit And Things To Do In Hampi
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