Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Hampi India

» Location : 350 kms from Bangalore, Karnataka
» Famous For : Vithala Temple Complex, Ugra Narasimha
» Languages : Kannada, Hindi, English

Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments, attract the traveler because of their excellent workmanship. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site.

Hampi is located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India. It is 353 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet. It is located on top of a rugged terrain and is 467 m above sea level. Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi. It has a tropical climate with hot summers (April-June), and cool winters (October-February). It experiences the southwestern monsoon rains from June to August.

The first settlement in Hampi dates back to 1st century AD and a number of Buddhist sites belonging to that time have been found nearby. Hampi was the capital of the mighty Vijaynagar Empire. Vijaynagar was one of the largest Hindu empires in India. Two brothers, Harihar and Bukka founded it in 1336. Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) was the greatest ruler and controlled almost all of peninsular India south of Tungabhadra River. The town of Hampi in 14th century had a population of half a million people. Seven concentric lines of fortifications protected the city. It maintained a huge army to protects it from other kingdoms. Vijaynagar Empire flourished, as it controlled both cotton and spice trade routes of southern India. Medieval historians refer to Hampi as an important center of trade. However, the glory of Vijaynagar was short lived. With the death of Krishnadevaraya, the combined armies of the five Muslim kingdoms-Bidar, Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar and Berar-destroyed this mighty empire in 1565.

Prime Attractions of Hampi
Lotus Mahal : shaped like a lotus flower from top, this two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.

Virupaksha Temple : Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi, this is the only temple that is still used for worship. Parts of the temple predate the Vijayanagar empire. The temple, with its nine-storied gopuram, towers above the other structures at Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and Puranas.


Vithala Temple : The Vithala Temple is Hampi’s crowning glory, with a magnificent stone chariot standing in the temple courtyard. Equally impressive is the large ranga mantapa with 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.

Queen's Bath : This structure has a very plain exterior but the interior is stunningly ornate, with graceful arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that used to spout perfumed water for the ladies of the court. The bath is 15-m square and 1.8 m deep and is surrounded by delicately decorated arched corridors and projecting balconies.

Hazara Rama Temple : The Hazara Rama Temple was perhaps the king's private shrine and contains some exceptional carvings and murals both within and on the outer walls. The outer friezes show horses, elephants, dancing girls and infantry in procession, while the inner panels depict individual deities or scenes from the Ramayana. There is a garuda (hawk-like bird) with multiple wings, which is the most striking of them all.

How to Get There
By Air : The nearest airport is Bellary (74 kms.) Other convenient airports are a Belgaum (190 kms) and Bangalore, Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal.

By Rail : The nearest train junction is at Hospet.

By Road : Hampi is 350 kms from Bangalore. KSRTC Buses ply regularly from Hospet.

General Information about Hampi
» Local Festival: Vijayanagar Festival, organized by the Government of Karnataka in December.
» STD Code: 08394.