Explore with Thamizhachi

Hampi- a small village in Bellary district of North Karnataka is a very significant place in history and architecture. It is one among the 36 UNESCO world heritage sites in India. It is approximately 350 Km from Bangalore, 320 km from Goa, 380 km from Hyderabad.

This place was always on my travel list, as I have read a lot about the magnificent Hindu Vijayanagar empire and its extraordinary architectures, holding historical importance in Indian history.

It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. It is also known as Kishkindha-Kshetra (A place where Lord Ram met Lord Hanuman in Ramayana) or Pampa-Kshetra (The old name of the Tungabhadra River).

History and facts to know about HAMPI:

Just highlighting a few points which I have read and known about Hampi:

1. Hampi was a royal residence for the Hoysala Empire until the 13th century (known as Virupakshapattana), which later became the capital of the Hindu Vijayanagar Empire of the Sangam Dynasty in the late 13th century.
2. Fall of the Hoysala Empire and the rise of the Vijayanagar Empire: The Hindu Deccan kingdoms (Hoysala Empire, Pandyan Empire, and others) were raised and attacked by sultans all over the Deccan region, leading to the downfall of the empire. With the fall of the Hoysala Empire and the ruins of the Kampili kingdom, emerged the Vijayanagar kingdom (Sangam Dynasty).
3. Hampi became the capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, famous for its rich cultural heritage. A strategic location bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra River on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides. They ruled South India for over 200 years. It was a prosperous, wealthy empire as cited by Portuguese and other European travelers in historical records.
4. It was considered to be the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing and one of the richest trade cities of the 1500s. They fostered infrastructural development, mandapas, and Indo-Islamic architectural buildings.
5. The disputes between the sultans and Hindus continued throughout their rule of 2 centuries. The Battle of Talikota between the sultans and the Vijayanagar Empire led to the massive destruction of Hampi’s infrastructure. The city is said to have been looted, burnt, and abandoned by the end of the Battle of Talikota by the sultans. The remains of the massive architecture and the ruins can now be visited in Hampi. There are still many archaeological surveys being carried out.
6. Check the new 50 Indian Rupees note. You can find the stone chariot of Hampi on the backside.

Best Time to Visit Hampi

Winter season: The best time to visit Hampi would be from October to February. On average, the temperatures will be 30-33°C in the morning/noon, which cools down to a comfortable 17-24°C in the evening/night.

Summer time: Not advisable as it will be scorching hot. Since most of the places you'll visit are open ground, it's easy to get dehydrated. You should enjoy the stories of Hampi, so avoid a heat stroke by skipping the summers.

How to Reach Hampi?

Nearest station:

Hospete Junction (HPT), 13 km from Hampi. The 16592 Hampi Express is a perfect option if you're traveling from Bangalore for an overnight journey of 8-9 hours. There are good train connections from Goa and Hyderabad as well. From the station, you can easily hire an auto to Hampi. You can contact Raghu (Automan): +91 9483505969 (He should not charge more than ₹200-₹250).

Nearest Airport:

Hubli Airport is the nearest airport, located 170 km from Hampi. However, it is an expensive option, and I wouldn't recommend it. Instead, land at Bangalore International Airport and connect via train.

Travel by bus:

KSRTC as well as private buses offer overnight travel options to Hampi from Goa, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

Travel by Road:

Personally, exploring by road is always the best option from Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Goa, especially if you have more time to rest and explore Hampi.

Where to Stay in Hampi?

Auto drivers usually drop you on the temple side of the Tungabhadra River. If you're lucky, you might spot the small elephant, Lakshmi, taking a morning bath in the river (we were lucky to witness this!). From here, take a short ferry ride to the other side of the river, where most accommodations are clustered. This area is called Virupapur Gaddi.