Hampi (Karnataka)

The telling ruins of Hampi are a big draw for visitors to southern India. Located at a distance of 353 from Bangalore, the town breathes a lot of history narrating the past of the mighty Vijayanagar Kingdom. The carved pillars, monolithic sculptures and monuments stand for the brilliant craftsmanship of the medieval era. Apart from that, from Hampi you can easily visit the nearby historical sites of Hassan, Belur and Halebid, known for impressive Hoysala temples.



Hampi Fast Facts
State : Karnataka
Area : 26 sq km
Population :146,000 (Hospet-Hampi)
Languages : Hindi, English & Kannada
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Code : 08394


Hampi Tourist Attractions
The town of Hampi offers a lot for those who wish to gain an insight into the history of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. The medieval temples of Hampi have also been included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

Virupaksha Temple
The temple stands in dedication of Virupaksha, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. It occupies a position towards the western borders of the city. The Hemakuta Hill which overlooks the temple offers to see Jain temples and a monolithic structure of Narasimha.


Vithala Temple
The temple complex is a major draw for visitors to Hampi. The remnants of the temple complex have been included in the list of World Heritage Sites. Apart from beautiful sculptors and stone carved chariot, the temple has 56 musical pillars which emanate tunes when tapped.

Hazara Rama Temple
The history of the temple dates back to the early 15th century. The temple presents elaborately carved basalt pillars that bear incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Also there are sculptures depicting numerous scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

King's Balance
During festivities, the kings were weighed here against grains and jewels. Later, riches were distributed among the poor and the needy.

Queen's Bath
The royal bath is positioned to the south of the Hazara Rama Temple. The building is square in shape and has wonderfully embellished interiors while the exteriors are plain.

Hampi Air/Rail/Road Links
The town of Hampi has the closest airport at Bellary, 74 km away. Hospet, which is 13 km from here, is the nearest railhead, well connected with places like Bangalore, Bellary, Gadag, Bijapur and Hubli-Dharwar. Regular buses ply between Hospet and Hampi. Hospet lies at a distance of 350 km from Bangalore, the capital city of the state of Karnataka.