Where the Past Comes Alive!
Like many of its neighbors, Hampi is a city with a splendid past. Remnants of its ancient glory exist even today in the form of monuments, temples, palaces, market streets, royal pavilions etc. that are scattered all over. The central attraction of Hampi is its Virupaksha temple, situated along the banks of the Tungabhadra. The past and present of Hampi is intrinsically connected to the temple and the various legends and myths revolving around it. Hampi is the delight of historians and archeologists; almost every corner of Hampi has something of historical significance for an eager traveler to explore.
The name Hampi is derived from Pampa, the original name of the Thungabhadra. The signature image of Hampi is that of a town standing against mountains strewn with boulders. As they say, Hampi is full of surprises! The list of architectural wonders is simply endless; from the King’s balance, the Queen’s bath, the Lotus Mahal and the elephant stables to the Pushkarini tank, the Mahanavami Dibba and the Mustard Ganesh, the list goes on.
Hampi is referred to in the Ramayana as Kishkinda, the Vanara kingdom. Hampi was formerly a city of great importance in its heyday when it was the cultural, artistic and religious hub of South India. Palaces, mansions and temples peppered the city, which was made the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire by Saint Vidyaranaya. The fall of Hampi happened in the 16th century, with the defeat of King Rama Raya by the Mughals.
Tornagallu airstrip-32 km away, Bellary Airport -74 km away
There are daily buses to Hospet, and to Bangalore - 350 km away
Hospet is the nearest railway station - 13 km away
