A small yet
appealing village, Hampi lies in the north of Karnataka. The city positions
itself on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Tourism in Karnataka mainly
revolves around temples. The place is an important religious centre of the Vijayanagara
Empire due to the existence of the Virupaksha Temple, a historic monument. Hampi,
Karnataka houses many ruins that are listed as World Heritage Site
including the Vittal Temple.
With HampiTravel Guide, you can explore the following attractions:
Virupaksha
Temple
The temple forms an
important part of your Hampi temples tour. Virupaksha Temple dates back
to 5th century. It positions itself in Hampi Bazaar and is one of
the most acclaimed structures of the town. Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Virupaksha
and his consort, Pampa, the temple reflects the finest specimen of Vijaynagara
architectural style. It houses shrines, a pillared hall and an open pillared
hall, called Ranga Mantapa. This open hall houses 38 pillars that are chiselled
as a mythical lion. Dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, there is another shrine
within the temple. Known for its exquisitely doors, pillars and panels, the
temple is an important part of Hampi tourism.
Vijayavitthala
Temple
It is among the
most spectacular temples in Hampi. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Vitthala,
it follows Dravidian architectural style. The hall of the complex is created
with pillars and sanctum, housing the statue of the deity. Only the main priest
is permitted in the sanctum. The temple is bordered by 3 gateways. It also
boasts of 56 musical pillars, producing music when tapped. The temple is also
home to the intricately carved Stone Chariot, a miniature temple.
Elephant Stables
Lies near to the
Zenana Enclosure, Elephant Stable is a gorgeous example of Indo-Islamic
architectural style. Tourists can visit this unique attraction on their Hampi
tour. This majestic structure houses 11 rooms and 10 among them are
decorated with high domes. It was the home to the ceremonial elephants that
were used by the royal family on important occasions.
Archaeological
Museum
Apart from Hampi
temples, visitors can also explore Archaeological Museum. The museum
lies in the Bellary district near Hampi. It encompasses a collection of
artefacts related to Vijayanagar Empire. The museum has three galleries and a
sculpture gallery. Some popular displays include Shivalinga, Nandi and
Dwaramantapa. Other than this, the collection includes brass plates, gold
coins, iron objects, sculptures of Hanuman, Ganesha, Garuda and Lakshmi.
Queen's Bath
Hampi travel brings you the opportunity
to visit Queen's Bath. Constructed in true indo-sarasanic style, Queen's bath
is among the well-known structures of Hampi. This is a square shaped structure,
enveloped by arched pillars and balconies that stretch over the bath. The royal
women used it for bath. The bath houses lotus-shaped fountains that were known
for producing perfumed water.
If you are a
history lover, then Hampi travel has a lot to delight you. Visit the
ancient site of Virupakasha temple to see the most famous attraction of
the city.
