The UNESCO certified World Heritage Site, Hampi is 350 km from
Bangalore.
Kishkinda, the monkey kingdom in ‘
Ramayana’, is believed to be Hampi. As the capital of the
Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi gained widespread glory during the medieval period.
Dravidian temples and palaces of Hampi were frequented by travelers during the 15th century. Art, architecture and literature were at its zenith during this period. The enormous wealth of the city was primarily through spice trade and cotton industry. With the fall of Hampi in 1565 to the Deccan Muslim confederacy, the city was plundered and left deserted.
Strewn with enormous and rounded boulders, Hampi is blessed with a beautiful landscape. The major tourist attraction is the ruins of Vijayanagara Empire. The ruins lies scattered about 26 sq. km. area. The river
Tungabhadra is running along the northern edge of Hampi. The prime attractions in the city are the temple of Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy, the Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex, King’s Balance, Queen’s Bath, Stone Chariot, House of Victory, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Pushkarini tank, Mahanavami Dibba and the Hampi Bazaar.
The government of Karnataka organizes a Vijayanagara festival, at Hampi in December, to recreate the splendor of the bygone era.
The nearest airport is at Belgaum. Hospet Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead (12 km). Hampi is well linked by road to Hospet. National Highway 63 passes nearby. The best time to visit is from October to March.
