Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It is 353 km from Bangalore. Hampi
is one of the famous historical village in northern Karnataka state,
India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara Empire. The ruins
are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. The name is derived from Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River. The name “Hampi” is an anglicized version of the Kannada Hampe, derived from ‘Pampa’.
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Hampi was chosen for the capital because of its strategic location, protected by Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by unconquerable hills on the other three sides. Hampi has historical & mythological significance.
The site is simply stunning, abounds with millions of boulders. However, within this barren landscape there are small orchards of banana, and mango trees nestled both side of the river.
It was a 2 days tour. Quickly planned just before the Christmas weekend. Pops had just flown in, and in what was a hasty turn of events, we booked room at the Mayura Bhuvaneshwari and started our road trip at 5 am.
Took me nearly 6.5 hours to get there.
Take the NH4 out of Bangalore. Bangalore to Chitradurga you will be using the NH 4. From Chitradurga bypass take the NH 4 ( now renamed NH 169 ) for Hospet .
Cross the Hospet town for Hampi . At Hospet ask for the Kampili road. About 10 kilometers from Hospet , you reach a busy village center called Kamalapura. By this time the sights on either sides give you lavish hints that your final destination is not too far. Take the left road from the Kamalapura village square. The Road ends at the Hampi bus stand. Let us call this as your driving destination and the starting point of Hampi exploration.
The plus point of driving option is that you can add a few more destinations to your itinerary. For example you can stretch your tour a bit more by adding cluster Badami , Aihole , Pattadakal in Karnataka . If you are still more creative, you may end up adding the hidden gems like Mahakoota and Lakkundi. And there’s no end to this ever creeping list.
The state run Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari in Kamalapur have ample parking space. If your destination is this hotel, go straight from the Kamalapura village (instead of the left turn to Hampi ). Just beyond the village square you spot a fuel station on your left and easily the huge board of Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari opposite to it too.
So, we arrived at the hotel comfortably around 11am.
Since it was before 12, we couldnt check-in. So we asked the hotel manager to keep our bags, and we left to start our Hampi tour.
The first thing we did was get ourselves an auto. This guy was literally the best.
IT was like an all-in-one package hiring him.
So this chap literally handled everything for us. Took us all around Hampi, even got us a decent guide.
So we started at the Vittala Temple complex.
Hampi was sunny and humid. Don’t forget to take cap, sunglass, & water bottle, during the tour. I forgot to take sunglass that means the trouble. In the afternoon sunlight reflecting on the shinning stone-architectures were dazzling into my eyes.
Vittala complex is one of the large monument still exists among the
ruins at Hampi. Marathi word ‘Vittala’ is also known by Lord Vishnu. The
temple is surrounded by 12-14 ft high stone walls. The main temple is
decorated with design, statues and remarkable sculptures at every
corner. The famous stone chariot is also situated inside the complex.
Across India students come with teachers to learn practical history
lessons at Hampi.
Six hours we perceived the standing history created so many unsolved questions in my little mind. I wonder. I was astonished by the architecture, imagination, art, craft, and the rich ancient culture. Sometime it seems dark and open. I discover many unknown mythical statues of the animals and creatures.
And i wouldn't want to indulge on our itinerary.
The problem int that I dont want to, its just that people get carried away with some itinerary, and for a place like Hampi, you must be free to explore the way you want it.
So it was basically a 2 day trip. And we managed to see most of the important sites.
The thing is that Hampi and Kamalapura together have nearly 83 sites to visit. and obviously 2 days isn't enough.
And my sister doesnt like monuments and walking around so much. She is more a resort type person, chill and relax.
So on m next entry, it will be a 10 day proper trip across Hampi, with every monument covered. And its gonna be a backpacker journey, so that means no lavish stay at the presidential suite, but a cheap lodge.
till then cheerio!!!
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| PAMPA SAROVARA |
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Hampi was chosen for the capital because of its strategic location, protected by Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by unconquerable hills on the other three sides. Hampi has historical & mythological significance.
The site is simply stunning, abounds with millions of boulders. However, within this barren landscape there are small orchards of banana, and mango trees nestled both side of the river.
It was a 2 days tour. Quickly planned just before the Christmas weekend. Pops had just flown in, and in what was a hasty turn of events, we booked room at the Mayura Bhuvaneshwari and started our road trip at 5 am.
Took me nearly 6.5 hours to get there.
Take the NH4 out of Bangalore. Bangalore to Chitradurga you will be using the NH 4. From Chitradurga bypass take the NH 4 ( now renamed NH 169 ) for Hospet .
Cross the Hospet town for Hampi . At Hospet ask for the Kampili road. About 10 kilometers from Hospet , you reach a busy village center called Kamalapura. By this time the sights on either sides give you lavish hints that your final destination is not too far. Take the left road from the Kamalapura village square. The Road ends at the Hampi bus stand. Let us call this as your driving destination and the starting point of Hampi exploration.
The plus point of driving option is that you can add a few more destinations to your itinerary. For example you can stretch your tour a bit more by adding cluster Badami , Aihole , Pattadakal in Karnataka . If you are still more creative, you may end up adding the hidden gems like Mahakoota and Lakkundi. And there’s no end to this ever creeping list.
The state run Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari in Kamalapur have ample parking space. If your destination is this hotel, go straight from the Kamalapura village (instead of the left turn to Hampi ). Just beyond the village square you spot a fuel station on your left and easily the huge board of Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari opposite to it too.
So, we arrived at the hotel comfortably around 11am.
 |
| Mayura Bhuvaneshwari |
Since it was before 12, we couldnt check-in. So we asked the hotel manager to keep our bags, and we left to start our Hampi tour.
The first thing we did was get ourselves an auto. This guy was literally the best.
IT was like an all-in-one package hiring him.
 | |
| HEMANTH :7090683585 |
 |
| Thats his auto rickshaw |
So we started at the Vittala Temple complex.
Hampi was sunny and humid. Don’t forget to take cap, sunglass, & water bottle, during the tour. I forgot to take sunglass that means the trouble. In the afternoon sunlight reflecting on the shinning stone-architectures were dazzling into my eyes.
 | ||
| Stone Chariot in Temple Complex |
Six hours we perceived the standing history created so many unsolved questions in my little mind. I wonder. I was astonished by the architecture, imagination, art, craft, and the rich ancient culture. Sometime it seems dark and open. I discover many unknown mythical statues of the animals and creatures.
And i wouldn't want to indulge on our itinerary.
The problem int that I dont want to, its just that people get carried away with some itinerary, and for a place like Hampi, you must be free to explore the way you want it.
So it was basically a 2 day trip. And we managed to see most of the important sites.
The thing is that Hampi and Kamalapura together have nearly 83 sites to visit. and obviously 2 days isn't enough.
And my sister doesnt like monuments and walking around so much. She is more a resort type person, chill and relax.
So on m next entry, it will be a 10 day proper trip across Hampi, with every monument covered. And its gonna be a backpacker journey, so that means no lavish stay at the presidential suite, but a cheap lodge.
till then cheerio!!!
