Situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire and houses the ruins of palaces, temples and the royal buildings of Vijayanagar Emperors. It bears testimony to the grandeur and wealth of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The empire built more than 500 monuments during its rule and Hampi grew as a trade centre for cotton, spices and gem stones. We are highlighting the prominent tourist spots in Hampi:
Virupaksha Temple: It is the most famous attraction in Hampi and a must visit for history buffs. Lord Shiva is the main deity in Hampi and is known as Virupaksha. Inscriptions on Virupaksha temple are dated back to the 9th and 10th century.
Although most monuments of Hampi are in ruins and have losttheir former grandeur, Virupaksha temple is still intact and has managed to retainits beauty. The towers of the temple are almost 50 meters high and its complex has various shrines, pavilion and chambers. The unique and interesting part of the structure is the inverted image of its tower displayed on the inner wall. The most suitable time to visit the temple is during the temple festival, which is organized in December and February.
Vijaya Vittala Temple: This famous temple is dedicated to Vittala, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is located in north east of Hampi and portraysexceptional architecture and brilliant craftsmanship. The huge area surrounding the temple seems like a town with halls, gateway towers, pavilions and compound walls. The front part of the temple has a stone chariot, which is dedicated to the Eagle god, Garuda. The most striking and famous feature of the temple is the musical pillars. Each pillar is carved out of a single rock andreleases a unique musical tone. The temple has spectacular carvings and sculptures. History buffs and architecture enthusiasts should definitely visit the Vijaya Vittala temple in Hampi. The elegance and grandeur of the temple is unmatched.
Achyutaraya Temple: Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, it is located between Gandhamadana and Matanga Hills. The temple was built in 1534 AD by Achyuta Deva Raya and showcase the magnificent Vijayanagara style of architecture. It has two concentric rectangular enclosures with the main shrine located within the inner enclosure. The temple features huge courtyards, walls and towers with brilliant carvings. Most part of the temple complex is in ruins but still highlights the magnificence and grandness of the structure.
The Archaeological Museum: It is the first ever museum established by the Archaeological Survey of India. It houses an amazing collection of sculptures and artefacts and beautifully showcases the rich history of Hampi. There are four main galleries in the museum displaying the preserved items. The first section has a scaled model of Hampi topography. The second section displays a large collection of sculptures and idols and the third section comprises of wonderful collection of arms and tools. The fourth section contains antique items dating back to pre historic times. It is a must visit place for students of history and history buffs.
Hampi is a popular travel destination for Bangalore residents as it is easily approachable via road. Hiring a taxi from Bangalore to Hampi is among the most preferred mode of travel. Reliable Bangalore car rental service can be booked online in few easy steps.