Hampi, in the state of Karnataka, India, is the site of the once-magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.Hampi was the capital of South Indian Vijayanagara Empire from
the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries.

Being a UNESCO world heritage site, Hampi attracts a lot of foreigners. For first-time visitors, it is highly
recommended to take a guide along with you, because the magic and grandeur of the place is fully understood
only when one knows the history and legends associated with the place.

Before the fall of Vijayanagara Empire, diamonds were sold on the streets. The main street selling diamonds
and other precious stones was surprisingly called Pan Supaari Street. A visitor can still see the exact location
of Pan Supaari Street in Hampi, which has been marked with a board by Archaeological Survey of India.

Hampi is well worth at least one visit. The area is simply stunning and you will be in awe of the millions of
boulders surrounding the area. However, within this arid landscape lies a little oasis with lush palm, banana,
and mango trees nestled near the river.

Hampi is a great place to spend a few days wandering around and discovering history

Hampi hosts the 'Hampi Utsav' (literally 'Hampi Festival') every year during first week of November. It is a visual
delight as all the monuments/ruins are lighted in the night and it is a cultural extravaganza of dance and music.

WAY TO REACH

The closest airport is Vidyanagar Airport

Bangalore is the nearest international airport, 350 km away from Hampi.

nearest railway station is Hospet Junction 13 km away

Also one can reach by road

WAY TO EXPLORE

The real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. Virtually every rock in
Hampi has a story to tell. This story is best heard if you give it time and walk around from rock to rock.

CLIMATE

Do note that the weather in Hampi can be a big factor. With all the boulders, big and small around, with soil
from years of erosion, there is a lot of dust that blows in the air. There are open spaces with strong winds and
while the wind keeps you pleasant.

It can be very hot but the surrounding area is quite breathtaking .

There are several "Shivalings" along the river which .The old capital called Anegundi, across the river from
Hampi, also has many sites.

Hampi specifically is a small settlement on the river (Hampi Bazaar, Virupaksha Temple, etc.). The old city of
Vijayanagara encompassed an area of 25 square kilometers and ruins, monuments, structures, etc. lie
scattered across the area. In fact, when arriving at Hampi from Hospet, one will pass many of these things.

If one sets base at Hampi Bazaar, one can get a manageable, navigable orientation of the entire area, one can
look at four main zones.

▪ Anegundi (north-east of Hampi Bazaar). Crossing the river to the north and heading east, one can reach
Anegundi whose history goes back, according to local legends, to the Ramayana (the Hindu epic).

▪ Hampi Bazaar (Hampi Bus Stand). This is the main village of Hampi . It is essentially two clumps of
settlements on either side of the Virupaksha Temple. Within walking distance is the river and the structures
along the river bank, Virupaksha Temple, a still in use sacred area, at the western end of the Hampi Bazaar,
the Hampi Bazaar itself which is one long "main street" but now in ruins.

▪ The Royal Enclosure (Old City Citadel) (4 km south of Hampi Bazaar). This, according to the official ASI
literature, was the heart center of the city, the downtown so to speak. There is the Mahanavami Dibba, a large
platform, almost three stories tall, which gives a brilliant view of the country side. This platform was used as a
base for various religious functions involving the royal family with the general population standing down. Apart
from this, there is a stepped well, an underground shrine, lots of smaller platforms (meant for assembly / public
meetings), etc. There is the Hazaar Rama temple on one side and the Queen's bath.

▪ The Sacred Enclosure (Towards the Vithala Temple) (1.75 km east of Hampi Bazaar). At the eastern end of
the Hampi Bazaar, there are two paths. One goes up the hill while the other goes left towards the river. Either
path takes you through lines of temples, extant and in ruins. If one takes the hill path, on the right is the
Matanga, Elephant .Walking further along the river, one passes various small structures, essentially different
temples. Also the majestic Vithala Temple inside which is the iconic Stone Chariot. This trail can be done by
the means of walking preferably.

Hampi is a visual delight, especially due to its stark contrast from most other places. Rocks are all you see
whichever direction you look. Vegetation is visible in the wet months; but again it never dominates the
landscape. It is an ideal spot for people who are interested in history and/or nature.

There are many sites of interest in and around Hampi. Most sites are free, but the Vithala temple, the Lotus
Mahal (incl. Zanana enclosure and Elephant Stables) as the Archeological museum can be seen with a ticket

LIST OF PLACES:

* Virupaksha Temple.

* Monolith Bull.

* Matanga Hill

* Achyut Raya temple.Built in 1534, it was the last temple executed in the city, before the fall of the fall of
Vijayanagara Empire at the Battle of Talikota in the early 1565.

* Vithala Temple-Dedicated to Vithoba, an avatar (incarnation) of the gods Vishnu and Krishna. The famous
Stone Chariot is here.

* Badavilinga Temple-The largest monolithic linga in Hampi

* Lakshmi Narasimha temple

* Zanana Enclosure

* Elephant Stables

* Hazara Rama Temple

* Royal Enclosures

* Pushkarani step well

* Queen's Bath.

* Tungabhadra Dam

POINTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF:

* Out of deference to the sacred nature of the site, do not consume drugs and alcohol in the area.

* When visiting the temple or ruins of former temples, cover up as a respect

* Please visit any monument only for the sake of visiting, but not for any other purpose. Do not scribble or climb
or sit on any monuments. Do remember that they have stood rain and sun for centuries and have to continue to
stand for many more centuries.

Consider visiting Badami ,Patadakkal and Aihole

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