Travel to Hampi

Hampi Tourism



In more ways than one Hampi, the capital of ancient Vijayanagara kingdom is the epicentre of Karnataka tourism. Amidst the captivating ruins of Hampi you get a first hand insight of the architectural perfection of 14th century India. The entire landscape of Hampi is an interesting juxtaposition of large monuments and boulders. In other words, Hampi is a place that needs to be seen to be believed.

Many pilgrims and backpackers crave for a travel to Hampi village in Karnataka (India). Surrounded by majestic hills and lush valleys, the village offers you a pleasing view of more than 500 monuments of different types. Its surrounding regions are dotted with temples, ancient aquatic structures, palaces, bastions, regal platforms and pavilions. The list is undoubtedly endless and as you move closer to this pristine destination, you would realize that the surprises it has in store for you are truly magnificent.

Hampi is located in the central part of Karnataka. Once upon a time, it was the capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, which dominated a large part of south India after the Mughals faded away. Today the mighty capital lies in ruins as though intrigued in the splendid past.

A stunning landscape strewn with rocky outcrops and gigantic granite boulders hemmed in lush greenery greet you as you travel to Hampi. On the bank of the river Tungabhadra, the town lies deserted. Once the river was the lifeline of the empire.

You do not have any activity here. Stark quietness of the ruins bring alive a time of Indian history would cast a spell as you travel to Hampi.

How to Reach Hampi



The cost to travel totally depends upon the mode of transport you select. You can reach Hampi by using any one of the following modes of transport - aircraft, train, car and bus. The nearest airport is 143 km away from Hampi and is located in Hubli. Taking a flight from Mumbai, Bangalore or Goa could be both time consuming and expensive.

Reaching Hampi by train is a far better option as it's not only cheap but also comfortable. Hospet, the nearest railway station is 13 km from Hampi. Overnight trains are aplenty running several times in a week from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. There are also overnight trains from Mysore to Hubli and from Hubli to Hospet or Hampi. A 2 tier AC train with bed linen costs Rs. 750 from Bangalore to Hampi.

A rickshaw from Hospet to Hampi is a convenient mode of transportation costing Rs. 80 to 120. However, buses plying from Hospet station to Hampi are a much cheaper option. A rickshaw from the station to the bus stand will cost Rs. 5 per head and from there several government buses are available at frequent intervals for Hampi and that costs Rs. 17 per head.

Places To Visit in Hampi



  • Vithala Temple Complex
  • Virupaksha Temple
  • King's Balance
  • Lotus Mahal
  • Elephant Stables
  • Pushkarini Tank
  • Noblemen's Palaces
More on tourist attractions of Hampi

Shopping in Hampi



Hampi, the ancient seat of Vijayanagar kingdom, lie frozen in time. The ruins of palaces, temples and many other royal paraphernalia from an old mighty kingdom lie scattered in and around Hampi.

Today it's like a deserted village. Do not look forward to plush shopping complexes built in glass and concrete or colorful shops overloaded with touristy souvenirs. In fact shopping in Hampi is not the focus of activity. This is the place to explore the ruins reminiscent of a splendid past and be fascinated.

But if you just cannot think of returning from a tour without shopping some souvenirs for your near and dear ones, Travel.Mapsofindia suggests you to shop at Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka. Swanky commercial places, markets for buying souvenirs and local handicrafts abound in Bangalore and would supplement for the lack of shopping opportunity in Hampi.

Look for the traditional handicrafts while shopping in Bangalore. Gift it or use personally - woodcarvings, bidriware, famed silk saris of Mysore serve well.

Best Time to Visit



ass="content_headingmid">Food

Food in Hampi is predominantly south Indian that typically includes Idli and Dosa for breakfast and a Thali for lunch or dinner. There are a few eateries in Hampi that sell pancakes, puffs, pastries, etc. Most of these food joints are concentrated around the Hampi bazaar area. Over the years Hampi has managed to retain the old world charm of 14th century India. Therefore, one can hardly find too many restaurants in this place.

Some restaurants can be found on either side of the road that leads to the Virupaksha temple. The South Indian fare served here is delectable and affordable and thus is very popular among tourists. The famous Mango Tree Restaurant in Hampi is situated on a terraced floor under a large mango tree along the river bank. Apart from the food, tourists mainly come here to soak in the peaceful ambience after a long day of sightseeing. The food served here is also South Indian that includes idli, dosa, vada, uttappam, curd rice and the famous south Indian thali.

If you are looking for a quick bite you can stop in at any one of the few bakeries that serve a wide variety of cookies, puffs and even fruit juices.

Popular Things



Tourists visit Hampi to witness the ruins of the once formidable Vijayanagara Kingdom of ancient India. The meticulous artwork portrayed in various temples, pillars and monuments are a sight to behold. Even though these temples are Hampi's centre of attraction this place has many other popular things to offer and nothing should stop you from exploring them.

One such thing is the coracle ride across the Tungabhadra River that takes you past many old ruins. Prehistorically designed in a bowl shape these cane boats are bound to give you an out of the world experience. The next best thing to do is to watch the sunrise or the sunset from the Matanga Hills. The view from the top is worth climbing the 200 steep steps that takes you to the apex of the hill.

Sloth bear sighting is very popular in Daroji Bear Sanctuary. Though entry inside the sanctuary is prohibited you can watch the bears from an observatory tower. Bears often come out with their cubs to bask in the sun. Chilling out at Mango Tree (restaurant) is a refreshing experience after a whole day of sightseeing. This place is a perfect amalgamation of natural beauty and culinary excellence.

Travel Tips



The captivating ruins coupled with heavily sprinkled colossal boulders all over Hampi's landscape make it one of the most intriguing places of the world. Once you reach Hampi, purchase a local map that will cost you around Rs. 15 and do all the sightseeing yourself by renting a bike or a scooty. You can even hire an auto rickshaw for local sightseeing and that would cost you Rs. 400 to 500. Hiring an official Karnataka travel guide would help you to get an insight about the monuments and temples in Hampi without which the tour may seem incomplete.

Some of the main attractions of Hampi that are located near the Hampi bus stand area are the Virupaksha temple, Hampi bazaar, Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Vithala temple, Hazara Rama temple, Elephant stables, Matanga Hill etc. If you are planning to return from Hospet you get an opportunity to explore the Tungabhadra dam which is 16 km from Hampi. It takes nearly one hour to explore this dam and the government buses charge Rs. 20 per person to and fro. The Anegundi temple complex in Anegundi across the river from Hampi is also a must see.

The best time to visit Hampi is during the winters between November and February. Unfortunately quality hotels in Hampi are hard to find. Therefore, if you are looking for better facilities then Hospet is a better option.

How many days are enough to travel Hampi



When you plan to visit Hampi you need to have a proper itinerary as the ruins are spread over a vast area of at least 30 square kilometers. For the benefit of tourists Hampi is divided into two parts the Sacred Centre and the Royal Centre.

As is well understood the Sacred Centre of Hampi denotes religious sites and temples and the Royal Centre denotes everything connected to royalty like palaces and royal buildings. Hampi is a complete city and there are a lot of things to see in this place. The entire landscape of Hampi is covered with granite boulders that are strategically balanced against each other. This, along with the ancient ruins of the temples and the royalty of the Vijayanagara kingdom leaves one asking for more.

Therefore, to check out all the mesmerizing details of this place you need to spend at least 3 full days in Hampi. There are people who spend one week, even ten to twenty days in Hampi without getting bored and discovering new things every day. So, it all depends upon your priorities.



Last Updated on : 29/07/2013