Hampi Best Travel Visit Places in India

Hampi

The city of ruins, Hampi, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers can enjoy this historical site, which is located in the state of Karnataka amid the shaded depths of hills and valleys. Hampi is a backpacker’s paradise, surrounded by 500 historic sites, stunning temples, lively street markets, bastions, the Treasury Building, and intriguing remnants of the Vijayanagar Empire. Explore more than 100 locations within Hampi, an open museum that offers a unique perspective on the city’s past.

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar dynasty around 1500 AD and, by some accounts, the second-largest city in the world at that time. Its importance gradually increased in the following centuries, and you can now find the ruins of many temples and other buildings spread over a wide area. The landscape around Hampi is as mysterious as the ruins: the city is surrounded by rocks of different sizes, and with a little effort you can walk over them and get a beautiful view of the entire city and its geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is known for its large, well-carved temples, especially the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to the royal patron. Here you can also see ancient aqueducts, canals, and the ruins of military facilities and warehouses. Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, and many steps have been taken to revive the lost glory of the place – very few (if any) modern institutions have been confirmed in the vast area, which gives real significance to these ruins. to feel.

Places To Visit In Hampi

1. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Situated in Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra river is the Virupaksha temple, also known as the Prasanna Virupaksha temple. Constructed in the 7th century, the temple’s stunning architecture and rich past have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is home to Lord Virupaksha, one of Lord Shiva’s incarnations. Although it is now situated in Hampi, it was originally a modest shrine in the heart of the illustrious and historic Vijayanagara Empire. The temple’s walls include exquisite stone inscriptions from the 7th century, attesting to its long history. When in Hampi, architecture enthusiasts and history fans should check out the temple!

Like other temples built in the South Indian architectural style, this one features enormous towers called gopurams that serve as entrances to the inner sanctums. Numerous interior rooms and passageways with elaborate stonework can be reached via the gopurams. The sculptures portray a variety of Gods and Goddesses from mythology. Lord Virupaksha is the primary god of the temple, but a few other Hindu deities also call it home. The temple is less crowded outside of festival seasons, such as the Car Festival, when a large number of devotees visit.

2. Vithala Temple

The most striking building in Hampi is the 16th-century Vithala Temple, which is an exquisite example of ornate architecture. Inside the walls of this temple stands the renowned stone chariot, which has come to represent Hampi’s architecture.

The complex of temples is quite large. The entrance gate opens into a spacious courtyard with the renowned stone chariot at its center. It features an impressive arch with carvings. Situated directly behind the chariot, the main temple boasts exquisite craftsmanship. Within the courtyard are several additional minor temples that are well worth a visit. These buildings’ pillars and walls are carved with images of different gods in diverse poses.

3. Lotus Palace

One of Hampi’s most recognizable landmarks is the Lotus Palace. Located inside the Zenana Enclosure, this palace—so named because it resembles a lotus in bloom—was the reserved quarters for the Vijayanagara Empire’s royal women. The Lotus Mahal, standing tall in its courtyard, is well-known as one of the few buildings in Hampi that survived both the ravages of time and the Mughal invasions on the town.

4. Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

The stunning Yantradharaka Hanuman Temple, also called the Monkey Temple, is located inside a cave on top of Anjaneya Hill, two kilometers away from the Virupaksha Temple. The 500-year-old shrine is devoted to Lord Hanuman. The idol of Lord Hanuman was placed in the temple by Sri Vyasaraja, a Dwaita philosopher and the Rajaguru of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. The Monkey Temple, one of the most well-known sights on Anjeyanadri Hill, is revered by Hindus as a sacred site.

5. Hampi Bazaar

The Hampi Bazaar, also called the Virupaksha Bazaar, is the place to go if you want to buy trinkets, inexpensive clothing, souvenirs, and small items to carry with you forever from your vacation to Hampi. One of the most notable sights in Hampi is this mile-long market, which is located just in front of the Virupaksha temple, thus its other name. You can find anything Hampi-related here, including stone carvings, fiber crafts, and embroidered shawls. It’s also important to mention that the annual November Hampi Utsav is a major tourist attraction.

6. Queen’s Bath

This aquatic enclosure, which was once a part of the Royal Enclosure, served as the royal bath during the Vijayanagara Empire. The spa was constructed in a way that prevented outsiders from entering. The 500-year-old Royal Bath is still a popular tourist destination because of its elaborately carved balconies and other features. The Royal Bath’s openness to the outdoors and lack of a ceiling are two of its most striking architectural features. But now, the complex has mostly lost its luster after being targeted during the Mughal invasions that ultimately resulted in Hampi’s destruction. There is a well-kept lawn area directly in front of the swimming complex, and many people utilize it now.

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