A Hampi road trip is a dream for history enthusiasts. Known for its ancient temples and ruins, Hampi offers a journey back in time to the glorious Vijayanagar Empire. Let’s explore the best places to visit and how to plan your trip!
Hampi is a beautiful historical city located on the banks of the River Tungabhadra in the state of Karnataka, India. Known for its ancient temples, ruins, and rich history, Hampi was once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the richest empires of its time. Traders from across the world visited Hampi to buy gold, diamonds, spices, silk, and more.
To travel to Hampi, one can first reach the city of Bangalore and then take a bus or train to Hospet, which is the nearest town to Hampi. From Hospet, one can take a local bus or hire a taxi to reach Hampi.
Once in Hampi, there are several places to explore such as the Virupaksha Temple, the Hampi Bazaar, the Royal Enclosure, and the famous Vittala Temple. One can also go on a boat ride on the Tungabhadra River, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
There are also several adventure activities such as rock climbing and trekking available in Hampi. It is recommended to hire a local guide to explore the city and its surrounding areas.
Our Hampi Experience:
In November 2022, we visited Hampi on a road trip from Chennai. This was our second visit to the historical city. We didn’t book hotels in advance, which led to some challenges in finding accommodation, as many hotels were fully booked. However, there are numerous hotels with prices ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 15,000 per night, so depending on your budget, you can easily find a suitable place to stay.
We started our visit from Vittal Temple which was dedicated to God Vittal who is one form of Shri Vishu, one of the supreme gods of Hindus. Now there is no deity, so there is no worship happening in this temple. It is open to all tourists to experience the grandeur of the architecture.
There is an entry ticket of Rs.40 per person(Indians and SAARC) and Rs.500 for foreigners. If you are visiting Hampi for the first time, I would advise taking the services of a guide so that you can learn the importance and glorious history of this temple.
This massive entry gate of Vittal Temple will welcome you and as you step inside the temple you will experience that you have time-traveled to the past and experiencing the history with your naked eyes.
By the time you are fascinated by the surroundings, the world-famous Stone Chariot will be there in front of you with its 10 layers of construction. It is dedicated to the mount(Vahan) of Shri Vishnu i.e, Garuda. The giant wheels are very beautiful and are a stationary part of the chariot i.e this Chariot never moved from its place.
Do you know that this Stone Chariot is used on the Rs.50 note of Indian currency which you can see in the below photo? We wish to visit all the places which are used on our currency notes.
You can spend 2-3 hours in this temple and there are many stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the historical epics of ancient Bharat carved on the walls and pillars of this temple.
After this, you can visit the largest statue in Hampi which is the Ugra Narasimha statue which is just a few 100 meters away from Virupaksha Temple. You can see the furious face of God Narasimha who was the 4th Avatar of Shri Vishnu. The statue was too damaged and deformed by invaders and looters who looted Hampi.
Next to the Ugra Narasimha statue, you can see Badavilinga Temple which has the largest Shivlinga of Mahadev. It is locked and you can not enter the sanctum. You can see that there is water filled on the floor of the sanctum.
Finally, we came to another amazing place in Hampi which is Virupaksha Temple and it is dedicated to the God of Gods i.e, Mahadev. We had a divine darshan of Mahadev in the temple and praised the beautiful architecture of the temple.
After getting our darshan, we climbed to the Hemkuta group of temples where you will get 30 temples that are now restored by the Archeological Survey of India. This is the place from where you will get the most beautiful 360° view of Hampi.
Top Places to Visit in Hampi:
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Vittala Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is famous for its Stone Chariot, which is also depicted on the Indian Rs. 50 currency note. The temple’s architectural grandeur is truly awe-inspiring.
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Ugra Narasimha Statue: A massive statue of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, this statue stands as a testament to the architectural genius of the Vijayanagara Empire.
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Virupaksha Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most iconic temples in Hampi.
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Badavilinga Temple: Home to the largest Shivlinga in Hampi, it is a peaceful and serene spot to explore.
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Hemakuta Hill Temples: This hilltop complex offers a stunning 360° view of Hampi and is home to several restored temples.
Other Notable Attractions:
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Hampi Bazaar: A bustling market where you can shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts.
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Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple: Situated atop Anjaneya Hill, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
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Hazara Rama Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Rama, famous for its carvings depicting the entire Ramayana.
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Elephant Stables: A historical site once used to house the royal elephants.
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Lotus Mahal: A beautiful palace with unique architecture, believed to have been used by the royal women.
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Daroji Bear Sanctuary: Home to the Indian sloth bear, this sanctuary offers a chance to spot these majestic animals.
Hampi – A Journey through Time
Hampi is a must-visit destination for history lovers and those seeking to explore the remnants of a grand civilization. Our visit gave us countless memories, and there are still many places left to explore. We’ll be back to Hampi soon, but our road trips and travel adventures will continue.
Best Time to Visit Hampi
The best time to visit Hampi is after August, as the monsoon season will have passed, and the weather becomes pleasant for trekking and exploring the historic sites.
How to Reach Hampi?
You can reach Hampi from any type of travel mode:
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By Air: You can fly to Bangalore and then take a taxi or bus to Hospet, which is the nearest town to Hampi. From there, a local bus or taxi can take you to Hampi.
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By Train: The nearest train station is Hospet (13 km from Hampi), from where you can hire a taxi or auto rickshaw.
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By Road: Hampi is well-connected by road, and you can drive from any part of India or take a bus service.
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