Sense a blend of History and Culture on Hampi Travel

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 5^th 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.