Hampi was on our list of must-visit places for a long time. The spot has all that might pull us towards itself - the narrative of a lost empire, design wonders from our past that we could exhibit, and a wild yet charming scene. Hampi being a UNESCO World Heritage site was an additional fascination. The fondness for this old, pastel, rotting structure is presently not possible for perusers. So Hampi must be on our outing when you are in Karnataka.

Hampi, the historical and mythological city is situated in Karnataka. From Bengaluru, the distance of Hampi is around 365 km and from Hyderabad, it is 380 km. So you can easily access the spot from both Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Hospet is the closest town. Subsequently, Hampi can act as an incredible end-of-the-week purpose from Bangalore and Hyderabad.

History of Hampi.

Hampi is full of stories - stories from the past as well as mythological tales. The historical backdrop of the spot slowly blends with the legends and afterward unobtrusively combines with mythology.

Hampi is also called the Pampa Kshetra and Kiskinda Kshetra. These mysterious accounts of Hampi are unavoidably connected with Hindu mythology.

Pampa was the little girl of Lord Brahma. She was a wild enthusiast of Lord Shiva. The Lord was pleased with her devotion and needed to acknowledge her as an aid. She needed him as her better half. Ruler Shiva needed to effect Pampa's demand, however, before wedding her, the Lord did compensation at the Hemakuta Hills (He was at that point wedded to Parvati). And afterward, it came down gold on the slope. "Heema" is the Sanskrit expression for gold; subsequently, the slope came to be known as Hemakuta Hills.

Hampi is otherwise called Kishkinda Kshetra. It is said that the Vanara realm of Kishkinda of the Ramayana was here. The Kishkinda attack of the Hindu amazing Ramayana was based here at Hampi. It is accepted that Anjaneya Hills was the origin of Hanuman, the reliable devotee of Lord Rama.

Those were the fanciful stories around Hampi. The set of experiences begins with the well-known old stories that two nearby clan leaders Hakka and Bukka were on a hunting movement when they saw a unique sight. A dog was hunting an ordinary bunny. However, out of nowhere, the bunny turned into an all-strong and began hunting the dog. Hakka and Bukka detailed this unique occurrence to their master (ace) Vidyaranya. The Guru could anticipate the spot to be extraordinary and requested that his devotees shift their neighborhood grant to that very place. Accordingly, one of the most elegant and gorgeous realms was designed. This was during 1323 when the two siblings founded the groundwork of the Sangama line, the primary leaders of Vijayanagar, the City of Victory. From 1323 to 1565 for around 200 years, four administrations governed over Hampi and made the Vijayanagar domain one of the most extravagant and popular realms. Hampi was additionally one of the greatest exchange focuses of those times and the business sectors of Hampi were consistently buzzing with dealers and merchants from India as well as from different areas of the globe. No big surprise that we see so many market regions in Hampi.

Hampi had arrived at its apex during the rule of Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva administration who controlled between 1509 to 1529. Hampi then arrived at incredible levels under the moderate and worldwide exchanging rehearsals. Additionally, the craftsmanship and engineering succeeded with wonderful covers being made around the city.

The story about the rocks of Hampi:

The rocks in Hampi have a design of the stone. They have a place with what is known as Eastern Dharwar Craton. A craton is a piece of the Earth's covering that has existed as a strong, without being changed by plate tectonics, since they were framed. These stones are profoundly transformed.

Nevertheless, Hindu mythology has a more sensational and vivid solution to the rocks of Hampi. The spot was accepted to be Kishkinda and there was a fight for power between the two monkey siblings Bali and Sugreeva. In the furious fight between the two siblings, the army scrapped rocks at one another, and in this way, these stones were stacked up all over Hampi. All things considered, nearly all that in India has a fanciful embodiment connected to it.

Hampi Travel Guide:

What is Hampi popular for?

Hampi is a wonderland. The spot resembles an open exhibition hall - you simply need to investigate the spot at your speed and find its appeal. Also, be prepared to get amazed even at unexceptional spots; since even in ruins, Hampi is appealing.

1. The Virupaksha Temple

One of the most unmistakable designs of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple situated on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. Lacking the temple is difficult to stand tall and close to the market region. It is a significant spot of love for all the Shiva admirers. The temple is a great construction rambling over an enormous region with numerous more modest hallowed places, pillared lobbies, and doors. The sanctuary likewise has a fascinating design wonder-working of one of the main pinhole cameras should be visible here.

2. The Vijaya Vittala Temple

The Vijaya Vittala Temple is the most lavish compositional miracle of Hampi. The sanctuary is spread across an enormous complex where there are various corridors, structures, and passages. Outside the primary sanctuary complex, there are different demolitions too. Appears as though a whole town had been set up there. Truth be told, it is the remaining part of the antiquated town of Vittalapura. Vittala, one more type of Lord Vishnu was loved in the sanctuary. The most uncommon element of this sanctuary is the stone chariot.

3. The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Lakshmi Narasimha sculpture is the biggest in Hampi. Narasimha is perched on the curl of Sheshanag, a monster seven-headed snake. The sculpture presents a threatening look of Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha symbol (manifestation). The first sculpture had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the lap of God. Be that as it may, the sculpture was harmed intensely throughout the fall of the Vijayanagar Kingdom.

4. Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple was created by King Krishnadevaraya in 1513 AD to honor his triumph over the realm of Udaygiri or Utkala (in the current day Odisha). The primary symbol inside the sanctuary was the figure of Balakrishna (Lord Krishna as a baby). This symbol is currently shown in the state exhibition hall in Chennai. An immense section inside the temple recounts the tale of the triumph of Utkala.

5. Mahanavami Dibba

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Mahanavami Dibba or The House of Victory is a beautiful stone platform situated inside the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. It is also known as Dasara Dibba and is one of the most impressive structures to be visited during yours.

This is the tallest structure in this area and hence the first thing you would notice as you enter the Royal Enclosure. From a distance, this looks like an ordinary elevated square stage. As you go close, the details emerge. The whole structure is made as a giant square structure in three layers.

6. Sasivekalu Ganesha

The temple is arranged exceptionally close to Hemakuta Hill and somewhat south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. This is a goliath sculpture of Lord Ganesha.

7. Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple

This temple is arranged on the northeastern slant of the Hemakuta Hills. Here a monster sculpture of Lord Ganesha is available that is cut out of a solitary stone. The gut of this sculpture looks like a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu, in the nearby language) and thus the name.

8. Matanga Hills

The Matanga Hill is right at the focal point of Hampi and you can get a higher perspective of the whole spot from here. while at Hampi, remember to see the fabulous nightfall from the Matanga Hills.

9. Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama Temple was the foundation of the early piece of the fifteenth hundred years by Devaraya II, the head of Vijayanagar. This little yet gorgeous temple is situated at the focal point of the regal region. The temple was once filled in as the confidential temple of the regal family of the Vijayanagar domain. The "Hazara Rama" in a real sense signifies "1,000 Rama" and the temple conveys the tale of Ramayana cut on stone. The relics found in this temple are quite possibly the broadest ones tracked down in India.

10. The Anjaneya Hill and Temple

The Anjaneya Hill is accepted to be the origin of Lord Hanuman. The Hill is situated on the opposite side of River Tungabhadra in the Anegundi Area. There is a Hill on the peak devoted to Lord Hanuman.

11. Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal exhibits an explicit architectural design among all the other Hampi tourist places. It is so called as it more or less resembles the shape of a lotus flower. The central dome of this Mahal resembles the bud of a lotus and the balcony and passages as petals. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting an Indo architectural style. There are around 24 pillars to provide excellent support to the arched windows of this palace.

12. Stone Chariot - Hampi

Stone Chariot is an iconic monument situated in front of Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi, central Karnataka. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stone Chariot is a shrine dedicated to Garuda, the official vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Stone Chariot in Hampi is one of the three most famous stone chariots in India. The other two are in Konark (Odisha) and Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu).
Built-in Dravidian style, the chariot has carvings portraying legendary fight scenes. Remaining on two giant wheels, two elephants are seen pulling the chariot. Stone Chariot is made of different more modest stones gathered flawlessly. It was to some degree harmed by attacking armed forces towards the finish of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Stone Chariot was underlying the sixteenth hundred years by the sets of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Empire. The emperor is said to have been dazzled by the Sun sanctuary of Konark during the conflict with Kalinga and needed to reproduce a comparative one in Hampi.

How to Reach Hampi?

The nearest rail-head to Hampi is Hospet. Hospet is very much associated with Bangalore by transport and train. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi. The auto charges about Rs.150. There are nearby transports from Hospet to Hampi that you can get from the Hospet transport stand.

The closest airport to Hampi is Bangalore.