"The National Capital of India"
“The abode of bygone ruins”
The city of ruins – Hampi is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the foothills and valleys of Karnataka. Stunningly surrounded by 500 historical monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, treasury buildings, and captivating remains of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a treasure trove of historical jewels. The city is as mysterious as the ruins itself which are engulfed by large boulders of different sizes. It is widely famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples especially the Virupaksha Temple. Hampi is the most wonderful delight for history buffs, families, and photography enthusiasts.
Things to do
Cycling tour – One of the best things to do in Hampi includes a cycling tour in the early morning bliss of the city. It allows you to explore the ruins and nearby attractions while passing through some scenic spots on a cycle.
Spot bears in its natural habitat – For all those wildlife enthusiasts, a special retreat in Hampi is enjoying the safari at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary to do a bit of bear watching. Photography of bears can be easily done from distance.
Explore the temples – A must-do activity in Hampi is to discover the magnificent religious temples of the city which showcases the finest architectural designs of a bygone era. Most of the religious shrines are dated back to the 15th century that now lies in the ruins.
Shopping – The bustling bazaars of Hampi offers a great collection of souvenirs and artifacts. The place is richly enriched with a lot of market streets where shopping for handicrafts can be enjoyed in the city.
Best time to visit
The months of winters (October to February) is the best time to enjoy holidays in Hampi as the climate remains moderately cool and soothing. Also, some of the most important festivals are lined up during this season like Vijaya Utsav which is celebrated in the month of November every year. Summers from March to June are extremely hot and humid, while monsoon (July to September) brings rain showers with humidity in the city.
A 15th Century old structure of Vijaya Vittala Temple is the largest of all the historical structures in Hampi. This shrine is devoted to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The extraordinary stone Chariot, arrays of huge pillars in the temple halls, and intricate sculptures are its major attractions.
Settled in the foothills of Matanga Hills, Hampi Bazaars is a shopping paradise for shopaholics. It is an ancient street lined up with ruins of pavilions in front of the Nandi Bull statue that plays hots to this famous market streets.
One of the most noteworthy tourist attractions in Hampi, Archaeological Museum is an art gallery that houses a wide range of artifacts and sculptures. All of the remnants of various Hindu deities can be found here.
A protected forest area of Daroji Bear Sanctuary offers a lovely sight of Sloth Bears strolling around or climbing up the trees or playing around with each other. It also houses leopards, hyenas, jackals, spotted deers, and various other species of animals and plants.
Another beautiful place to visit in Hampi is Hippie Island which is famous for its astounding beauty. As the island is named after a vibrant culture, you can enjoy vacationing in the lively ambiance of this island.
