Hampi, the city of ruins, is a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the darkened abysm of cliffs and ravines in Karnataka, this location is a historical joy for travelers. Encircled by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling road markets, strongholds, treasury buildings, and stunning remains of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a hiker’s pleasure. Hampi is an open gallery with 100+ locations to study, a popular way to see the city from the viewpoint of its past. Top Visit Spots In Hampi are just not to be missed.
Hampi was the center of the Vijayanagar kingdom around 1500 AD and, by some narratives, the second-largest city in the world. Over the subsequent centuries, it fell out of significance and now scours the ruins of many temples and other establishments spread out over a vast region.
The landscape around Hampi is as enigmatic as the ruins themselves – boulders of different dimensions surround the city, and you can climb to the top of them in a bit of an attempt to get a spectacular panorama of the entire city and the landscape.
It is on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Famous for its immense, beautifully carved temples, especially the Virupaksha Temple, which is the patron deity of the empire. You can also find remains of the ancient aqueducts, channels and military barracks, and stables here. Hampi was known as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. Making it a must-visit destination to see Hampi and to check out some of the Top Visit Spots In Hampi.
Their rusty hues in Hampi make the heaps of giant boulders perch precariously over kilometers of undulating terrain.
Must Visit Places In Hampi
- Virupaksha Temple (Hampi Temple) is so created that its primary entrance faces east and homes to two quadrangles. When you enter the temple, there is a figure of Nandi with three heads. There is a pillared hall in the epicenter, reckoned as the RangaMandapa.
- Vithala Temple – There are fantastic stone structures around, and the pillars here appear to be playing music. Three tall gateways encircle the temple along with high compound walls.
- Stone Chariot
- Underground Shiva Temple
- Royal Center (Queen’s Bath, Lotus Mahal), and the Elephant Stables. Considered a large bath of Hampi, Queen’s Bath demonstrates Vijayanagara’s architectural excellency. Although constructed about 500 years back, this superb design stays undamaged in its construction. The most superficial surface perfectly blends with an elaborate interior to embrace its overall impression. It is a rectangular structure of around 30 square meters and has a large sunken bath at its center. It may absorb you to find arched corridors all around this Royal bath. Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal exhibits a detailed architectural design amongst other Hampi tourist places. It is so-called as it more or less compares the form of a lotus flower. The central dome of this Mahala resembles the bud of a lotus, and the balcony and passages as petals. The roof depicts a multi-layered arrangement reflecting an Indo architectural manner. There are around 24 pillars to provide perfect backing to the arched windows of this palace.
- Elephant Stables – Elephant Stables is a long building homing to a series of dome-shaped chambers that were once for royal parking elephants.
- Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple – The temple is around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is a portion of a cave standing at the peak of a hill, and the main deity is Lord Hanuman.
- Monolithic Bull – Situated at the east ending of the Hampi Bazaar, the Monolith Bull or Nandi is an excellent work of antique architecture lodged in a two-story pavilion. This vast structure, which mythologically is the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is positioned just opposite the notable Virupaksha Temple.
- Tungabhadra River Dam – One of the ancientest Dams constructed in India, the Tungabhadra Dam, is even known as Pampa Sagar. Tungabhadra Dam is built by Dr. ThirumalaiIyengar across the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of River Krishna. The Dam lies in Hospet, Ballari district of Karnataka, and has a capacity of 135,000 million cubic feet. It is a very renowned tourist destination in Karnataka.
- Hampi Bazaar
- Hippie Island – This is among the most visited places, named after its energetic culture. VirapapurGadde is a tiny island located across the Tungabhadra River. This isle is captivating and a favorite among locals and tourists for its laid-back aura and cozy lodgings.
- Matanga Hill – It represents the most elevated point of Hampi, and it’s a scenic terminus for travel photogs to catch some aerial views.
- The North portion of this hill terminates into the Tungabhadra river, where you have another sacred place to visit-Kodanda Rama temple. Towards the south of this elevation, you have a winding hollow with a zigzag Turthu canal. The Low-lying Northern section displays a trekking trail that joins straight away to Hampi bazaar.
- Badavilinga Temple – Badavilinga Temple is an attractive temple of Lord Shiva. It lies near the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and is home to a beautiful Linga carved out of black stone. The linga is about 3 meters high and dates back to the period of the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga lies within a small stone chamber of this temple with a single narrow space and is without a ceiling. The pedestal is circular and reflects the YonePitha of Lord Shiva Linga.
- Zanana Enclosure – Once reckoned as a secluded spot for the Vijayanagara Kingdom’s royal ladies, Zanana Enclosure reflects a sprawling compound with tall walls. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction in this area. You can either stroll in via its northern entry or its north-eastern entrance. Zanana Enclosure homes to three watchtowers, each was standing at this magnificent structure’s eastern, south-eastern, and north ends.
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – The figure of Lord Narasimha poses on a snake with seven heads in a Yoga position. This sculpture has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap.
These structures stand to be the true architectural greatness of Hampi as it presents unique creativeness and the beauty of architecture’s invention. The architecture of this temple dates to the Dravidian period and reflects South Indian features.
Places To Visit Around Hampi
- Badami Caves and Bhutnatha Group of Temples.
- Pattadakal- a UNESCO site to see the grand Vipruksha Temple.
- 5th century, stone temples at Aihole- once the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty known for detailed stonework.
- Hospet Garden
Conclusion – Top Visit Spots In Hampi.
Visiting some of the Top Visit Spots In Hampi is a must for your visit to call it a complete.
- Tourist Spots In Hyderabad - 25/04/2022
- Specialties Of Pune - 25/04/2022
- Tourist Attractions In Australia - 25/04/2022