Ruins at Hampi
If history intrigues you, Hampi is a site you must visit. It was the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Vijayanagar. Today, this ancient city is in the ruins, but its charm hasn’t subsided.
The stone chariot at the Vittala Temple. The wheels of this chariot could turn.
Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Indian state of Karnataka. Hampi attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Huge stretches of boulder-strewn hills form the backdrop of this city. There are over 500 monuments around the hills and valleys of Hampi. These include the ruins of palaces, ancient market places, royal pavilions, treasury buildings etc. Like any other major tourist attraction in India, Hampi has its fair share of beautiful temples. It will please both the pilgrim and the backpacker. Here each monument has a story to tell and surprises await the traveler at every turn.
Things to see in Hampi
There are hundreds of tourist attractions in Hampi. They are scattered over an area of about 26 sq km. Here is a quick overview of temples and other monuments in Hampi.
Vittala Temple
Vittala Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the architectural marvels of Hampi. It is also the most visited monument in Hampi. The temple complex has several halls with extraordinary pillars. These pillars have beautiful carvings on them. There is a set of pillars called musical pillars. When they are tapped they produce musical sounds. A stone chariot with wheels stands in front of the main temple. The Vittala Temple is surrounded by several small, yet ornate temples. It is in the eastern part of the city near the banks of River Tungabhadra.
The musical pillars of Vittala Temple
The musical pillars at Vittala Temple have fascinated people for centuries. The stone pillars produce musical notes when they are tapped gently. Nobody has been able to unravel the mystery surrounding these pillars.
The 56 Musical Pillars are part of the Ranga Mantapa of the Vittala Temple. These musical pillars are also known as SAREGAMA pillars. These are the sounds they produce when they are tapped gently.
The Ranga Mantapa has a set of main pillars and several sets of minor pillars. The main pillars represent various musical instruments. There are seven minor pillars around each main pillar. When these minor pillars are tapped gently, they produce seven different musical notes from the musical instrument represented by the main pillar. These pillars have fascinated people down the centuries. How they produce music is still a mystery. When the British ruled India, they reportedly cut two pillars to unravel their mystery. However, they could not find anything inside the pillars that produced the music.
Virupaksha Temple
The Open Hall attached to the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi. It has intricate carvings.
Virupaksha Temple is functional even today. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century AD. It is perhaps the oldest functional temple in India. Both pilgrims and tourists flock to this temple. In addition to the sanctum, the temple complex has pillars and giant entrance towers.
Royal Enclosure
The Royal Enclosure is a fortified campus. It used to be the seat of the Vijayanagara kings. Ruins of several stately structures can be found here. For example the Mahanavami Dibba is the platform from where the king used to watch the annual parade of military might.
Riverside Ruins
Goddess Parvathi – consort of Lord Shiva
These ruins are scattered along the path that connects the ancient Hampi Bazaar to the Vittala Temple. You will find numerous shrines, artifacts and ancient structures along this path. The trek from Hampi Bazar to Vittala Temple is an unforgettable experience.
Hemakuta Hill Temples
The Hemakuta Hill is a flat expanse of rocky sheet. A 15 minutes’ climb will take you to the top. The Hemakuta Hill is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Hampi.
The Hemakuta Hill is the tallest hill in Hampi. You will get a magnificent view of Hampi from the top and slopes of this hill. The hill itself has numerous temples and pavilions. A 15 minutes’ climb will take you to the top which is a basically a flat expanse of rocky sheet. The Virupaksha Temple is to the north of Hemakuta Hill. Most of the Hemakuta Hill temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Shiva did penance on this hill before he married Pampa who was an ardent devotee of him. The day he agreed to marry her, it rained gold on this hill. In Sanskrit Hema means gold. There are some Ganesha temples on the slopes. They are a must visit.
How to reach Hampi?
Hampi is well-connected. Hospet is the nearest town. It is connected to Hampi by road and rail. Hampi is a short bus ride from Hospet. So, if you are coming from a faraway city like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata, board a train that halts at Hospet.
Direct trains are available from many cities. If you can’t find a direct train, look for one that halts at Hubli or Guntakal. These are major junctions. From Hubli or Guntakal, you will be able to get connection trains to Hospet.
Traveling to Hampi by Bus
State run KSRTC runs buses between Hospet and Hampi. It is also possible to drive all the way to Hampi. Take National Highway 13.
Traveling by flight
Hubli is the nearest airport. It is about 160 km from Hampi. A better option is to board a flight to Bangalore. From there you can take the Hampi Express train. Bangalore is well-connected to all major cities in India and abroad.
Accommodation
There is something bewitching about Hampi. It casts a spell on the traveler. It is possible to see the ruins and temples in one or two days. However, if time permits, linger for a little longer. You will never regret it. Finding cheap accommodation in Hampi is relatively easy. There are numerous budget lodges, restaurants and shops in Hampi.
Safety
Hampi is safe and quiet; however, travelers must resist the temptation to roam around the ruins alone or after dark. It is easy to get lost among the ruins.
