Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & historical site dotted with ruins and excavations. As the capital of the Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara which reached its peak under the rule of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. It was conquered in a war with rival kingdoms in 1565, when the city was ransacked and destroyed completely. Its 33km area is large and the surviving structures are sufficient to give a feel of what the city would have been in its prime.
Location : About 360 km from Bangalore / 260 km from Belgaum / 235 km from Bijapur/ 165 km from Hubli / 75 km from Bellari. Hospet is the closest Town.
How to reach : Drive from Bangalore (about 7 hrs. drive) OR Fly to Hubli / Bellari OR Overnight train journey to Hospet
Recommended duration of stay :2 nights / 3 days for Hampi & One night additional stay to cover Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal.
Best time to travel : Hampi is all season destination. But be ready for hot summer during March to May.
Places to see : Hampi has one main street- Hampi Bazaar, which is closed to all vehicular traffic. At the extreme is the Virupaksha Temple. Eastern extreme is the museum run by Archaeology department. Be prepared for some amount of walking even if you hire a car or take guided tour. Also carry along your walking shoes. If you can cycle or ride a bike, this is a great way to see the place. Carry head caps for protection from the sun and take some packed snacks with drinking water. Not to forget, Hampi is plastic free zone.
We recommend you to take a guided tour at least for a day to get a broad overview of the ruins. Keep in mind that if you don’t have at least a minimal affection for history, Hampi is not for you. No pubs, non-veg restaurants, not much shopping.
FEW MUST SEE PLACES IN HAMPI ARE AS BELOW: The Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Queen’s Bath, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stable, Underground Well, Watch Tower,Hampi Bazaar,
Sule Bazaar, Tungabhadra Dam and Hanuman Temple across the river at Anegundi
VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE:
Virupaksha Temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and has been considered the most sacred over the centuries. It is fully intact among the surrounding ruins and still daily Pooja is happening. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha.
VITTALA TEMPLE:
Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus. Vittala, after whom the temple is known, is a form of lord Vishnu. This aspect of Vishnu was worshiped in this part of the country as their cult deity by the cattle herds.
LOTUS MAHAL:
Lotus Mahal stands apart in its architecture. Though theexact function of this is not surely, most probably this was a socializing area for the women folks in the royal family.
QUEEN’S BATH:
From outside, this looks like a plane rectangular building. But when you get inside, the story is different. The whole building is made with a veranda around, facing a big open pond at the middle. Projecting into the pond are many balconies. The balconies are decorated with tiny windows and supported by lotus bud tipped brackets. The whole pool is open to the sky. This brick lined pool is now empty. But it’s believed once fragrant flowers and perfumed water filled this bathing pool. The domical roof of veranda is a spectacle itself.
BADAMI:
Badami formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya Lake.
AIHOLE:
Aihoe has the potential to be included as a UNESCO World heritage site. Aihole is 510 km from Bangalore and 26 km from Hungund by road. Aihole is one of the most notable places in the history of art of Karnataka. Aihole was known as Ayyavole and Aryapura in its inscriptions. It was a prominent city of the Chalukya Dynasty. A place known by the name Morera Angadigalu near the Meguti hillocks has a large number of cists of pre-historic period. The place was an agraharam. The village has 125 temples divided into 22 groups by the archaeological department. Aihole has been described as one of the cradles of temple architecture. Of late some brick structures of pre-Chalukyan times have also been excavated. It must have been a great ancient city, a commercial centre as well, with the federation of trade guilds having its headquarters here.
PATTADAKAL:
Pattadakal is World Heritage site in Karnataka, lies on the banks of Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district. It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole, well known for Chalukya monuments. The Pre-Chalukya historical and Archaeological site Bachinagudda also near Pattadakal. Pattadakal is a village and an important tourist Centre in the state and is located on the left bank of the Malaprabha River and 514 km from Bangalore.
PLACES TO STAY :
Deluxe Hotel
Premium Hotel
Hotel Malligi
Royal Orchid
Trip to Hampi
DURATION – 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
Day 01: BANGALORE – HAMPI
Pick up from your residence in Bangalore by 0630 hrs. & drive to Hampi, the historical site of Karnataka (7 hrs. journey). Check in to hotel, & sightseeing like, the Virupaksha Temple, and overnight stay at Hospet.
Day 02: HAMPI
Have breakfast at leisure. Day to explore the Hampi places like - Elephant Stable, Vittala Temple, Queen’s bath, Lotus Mahal and Overnight stay at Hospet.
Day 03: BADAMI – PATTADKAL – AIHOLE / DAY TRIP
After earlier breakfast, sightseeing of Hampi like, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal & overnight stay in Hospet.
Day 04: HOSPET - BANGALORE Morning at leisure Free Time for shopping & Afternoon drive back to Bangalore.
