Hampi- The City Of Ruins

Hampi, the city of ruins, is an enthralling place and leaves a magical impact on anyone who visits this place.This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the state of Karnataka enveloped by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, hills and valleys and captivating remains of the Vijaynagar Empire. This place is very much on the backpacker’s trail in India. The surreal boulder-strewn landscape, interspersed by bright emerald paddy fields is a feast for the eyes. The magical stories and legends of different gods and goddesses seem to be frozen in time. Perhaps, it’s the perfect blend of these factors that makes Hampi so special.

Importance of Hampi in the pages of History:

1.The Ramayana:

Hampi was featured in the Ramayana. Earlier known as Kishkinda, this was the place where Lord Rama met the monkey king, who helped him rescue his wife Sita.

2.The Vijaynagar Empire:

Apart from the scenic beauty and mesmerizing monuments and structures, Hampi has gained popularity because of the rich history of the Vijaynagar Empire. Hampi was the capital of the Vijaynagar Empire, which was one of the largest and most important empires in India.

3.Pampa River:

Hampi got its name from the Pampa River now known as the Tungabhadra River. According to mythological legends, Pampa was the daughter of Lord Brahma who pleased Lord Shiva with her devotion. Hence, Lord Shiva married Pampa and took the name Pampapati. As a result, to this day there are several shrines of Lord Shiva on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

Places to visit in Hampi:

1.Sri Virupaksha Temple

The Virupaksha Temple, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, is a 7^{th -}century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The beautiful architecture and history of this temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, one can find stone inscriptions dating back to the 7^th-century on the walls of the temple that gives the proof of the rich history of this temple.

2.Vijaya Vittala Temple:

It is considered as the highlight of the Hampi’s temple architecture. Even though this temple was never complete, it still contains incredible sculptural work and the famous stone chariot. This 15^th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This humungous temple is spread over a large area. The main gate has impressive carvings on the arch and the main temple is just behind the stone chariot.

3.Queen’s Bath:

This enormous and majestic enclosure was the royal bath during the times of the Vijaynagar Empire. The unbelievable architectural style of this royal pool is very attractive and captivating. A huge courtyard with a dome-shaped roof, balconies and small windows and rectangular pool made of bricks is a feast for the eyes.

4.Hampi bazaar:

Sitting on the foothill of the Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular places for sightseeing in Hampi. The many ruins of Hampi Bazaar lie scattered around among the boulders like a huge, surreal giant open-air museum. As this bazaar faces the Virupaksha temple, hence it is also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar. As Hampi is still so unaffected by modernity, one’s imagination can still run wild and think of the time when this was a bustling marketplace in the town.

How to reach Hampi:

By air:

The nearest airport to Hampi is the Belgaum Airport which is at a distance of 270 km. Bangalore Airport; on the other hand, is 300 km from Hampi. Direct flights to Bangalore operate from major cities of the country. After reaching the airport, travelers can take a bus, cab or taxi to reach Hampi.

By road:

Hampi is well-connected to other major cities of Bangalore. One can take a KSRTC bus to reach Hampi by road. Tourists can opt for other options too like a rented car, taxi or buses.

By train:

There is no railway station in Hampi. The nearest railway station is in Hospet which is 13km from Hampi. 10 daily trains and 5 special trains run to the station from different parts of the country.

Hampi is a great place to spend lazy days chilling out and enjoying the spellbinding beauty. But the trip is even better if you have an understanding of the mythology and legends of this place. It is highly recommended that one should certainly visit this place for a lifelong memorable trip.