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 t was probably the seat of
last Hindu empire in India, a prosperous and flourishing city which was then (1336 AD) known as
Vijayanagara. Vijayanagara due to its strategic position between North and South India could control all trade and hence was a mighty and extremely wealthy kingdom. There are several accounts of
the fabulo
 us and lavish living in this city. The great city of those times located by river Tungabhadra was 43 sq kms in area, fortified by seven walls, bazaars full of precious commodities and Gods (Lord Shiva and Vishnu) were being lavishly worshipped.
Unearthed again in year 1976, the remains are still suggestive of the might and grandeur of those times. With a little flight of imagination it is easy to think about these
remnants in their original splendor. The fascinating place is spread on a huge boulder-strewn landscape that is worth to be explored on bicycles or long walking
t
 ours.
The structures and ruins that remain today are not only suggestive of
splendor and lavishness of their age. But they also reveal to a great extent about their supreme architecture, artistic expressions on stone to most sublime levels, planning to grand scales, precisions & accuracy of constructions and creative
brilliance of the builders. A number of impressive temples, finely carved statues, structures of public utility and remains of
royal residential areas are scattered in Hampi. The fascinating exploration
through ruins, rocks and rugged hills can be divided into t hree major groupings-
the Royal center, Sacred center and Anegondi.
The Royal center towards south consists mostly of Palace and residential areas though there are
many te
 mples too. Interesting
monumnets are Queens bath (A tank enclosed by columned passage), a huge Mahanavmi
platform, a few tanks (note the extraordinary irrigation system of those times that
fed the tanks) , a hundred columned hall and a zenana (ladies) enclosure area. The impressive temples are underground Virupaksha temple, Hazara Ramchandra temple, Pattabhirama temple and Malyavanta Raghunath temple.
The Sacred center adjoins the southern bank of the river. There is Virupaksha
temple, one of the most impressive monuments here. It has a 50 m high spire and finely carved interiors. Noteworthy is the pin-hole
camera concept at one place where inverted image of a
Gopuram is cast through a slit in stone slab. There are several temples and great views of the bazaar below at the
Hemkunta hill below. Near the bazaar is a
 huge Ganesha idol and a very impressive 7m high statue of Lord Narasimha (Half lion). The long ancient Hampi Bazaar still reflects the aura of past. The huge idol of Nandi bull at the other end of bazaar gives a grand
loo k. Scattered around the bazaar are the impressive temples of
Krishna, Kodandarama and Achutaraya. Up a rocky path is the most spectacular Vittala temple built by legendary
Raja Krishnadevaraya. This world heritage monument has great sculptures and incredible columns that upon hitting create musical notes!
Across the river is a fortified ancient place known as Anegondi having defensive walls and a couple of old temples.
Another fascinating feature about the place is the crossing of Tungabhadra River
by corracles made of bamboo chips. The round baskets like boats are very basic and rotate while drifting to the other shore. Hampi is ideally a place to explore in unhurried manner, the peace and calmness around the ruins is
mesmerising. Even the views across the river and surrounding landscape in setting sun are captivating. For a determined explorer, it is a real treasure.
| QUICK FACTS |
| Getting there |
Drive from Bangalore or Goa. Overnight train connects Hospet with Bangalore. |
| Further connections |
Badami, Dandeli Wildllife Sanctuary and Goa. |
| Best time to visit |
Very hot in summers. Pleasant in winter (October to March). It rains modestly in monsoon. |
| Travel warning |
Don't wander around the ruins alone especially at dawn and dusk. Carry your own torch with you. |
| TOURS TO HAMPI | |
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