Hampi- The Land Of Boulders

If you are an avid traveller like me, you ought to visit Hampi, a glorious city of ruins. Situated near the humble town of Hosp et, Hampi is an ancient landmark which was once a bustling entrepot of trade and art. The very place breathes of legends, kings and queens and valiant warriors. Hampi was where the once golden Vijyanagar Empire thrived and the myth of Ramyana was born. The mazes of boulders were full of people and vibrant market places where traders sold silk, spices and jewellery from the eastern world.

Hippie market

The prehistoric streets of Hampi are filled with hardy vendors selling colourful beads, finely stitched garbs and gypsy jewelleries. Bargain your way into buying fine antiques and also catch the breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset. You won’t regret it, I promise. The magical thing about Hampi is, the sunrays find their find into every nook and corner of this village. After shopping unique pieces, take a detour and go trekking in the Matanga Hills and experience its adventurous beauty from dusk till dawn.

Cycling along reservoir

The serene reservoir of the Tungabhadra River is an explicit sight to see. The artistic village rises from the green, green plains and ends with robust banana plantations and colossal boulders. The roads are shaded with old ancient trees and leaves like piggy bank filled with stories. No wonder, a person wants to abandon the city and live the rest of his days in the village. Rent a bicycle or even borrow one. The people here are so friendly; they will definitely lend you their bicycle in exchange for your smile.As you ride your bicycle along the riverbanks, your soul would be refreshed and your mind freed. The child in you will awaken and the fresh breeze feels like a splash of lemon zest on your face. The picturesque reservoir is perfect for nature photography and is food for your soul. Take out your camera and capture the pure bliss and playful flamingos!

Cliff Jumping

Cliff jumping must be in everybody’s bucket list and there is no better place to strike it off than in the magical lakes of Hampi. Jump from the high cliffs into the depths of the lake and feel like a teenager once again when the cold, fresh water hits your skin. After all, anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing, right?

Magnificent temples

One needs to visit the historical Virupaksha temple and befriend the temple elephant, a magnificent creature. You can even pet the elephant, feed it and in turn, it will bless you with good fortune. Take unforgettable pictures of the Krishna temple and hop on the rickshaw to visit the next curiously bewitching house of holiness- The underground Shiva temple. The 15th century Vijaya Vittala temple boasts the intricate carvings and fine architecture of the monumental stone chariot and spellbinding array of pillars. The grandeur of the monolith statue of Ugra Narasimha fascinates the human soul and leaves it wanting for more.

Boat ride and monkeys

Take a coracle ride in the pristine waters of Tungabhadra River and watch the waters sway back and forth like a young maiden. After reaching the other side of the river, climb the Monkey hill where you can lay back and enjoy the scenic view. Sunrise, sunset, moon rise, everything looks picture perfect from there. You will find plenty of monkeys in their natural habitat, curious and playful. Touristers often take joy in feeding the monkeys and taking selfies with them. On the other side of the hill, is the famous birthplace of Lord Hanuman where a temple is dedicated to his name.

Hippie Island

The name of this petite but amusing island is what grabs the attention of people when they first hear it. Originally Virupapura Gadde, this is the place you need to visit if you are in need of quietness and a peace of mind. Staying in this island at one of its many guesthouses will fetch you the luxury of ‘picture out of the storybook’ views! The paddy fields are easy on the eye and the locals are your long lost friends.

The Queen’s bath

Ever wonder how fancy the Queens of centuries old were? There were special baths for the royal escorts of the ruling monarchs. Why go to Rome to see the splendid Roman baths when we have the architectural wonder, The Queen’s bath in Hampi. The royal women loved to bathe in the open air with fragrances and sandalwoods. The ruins of the royal pool capture the essence of the Indian architecture.