HAMPI
Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments is in Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India.
Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets. Hampi predates the Vijayanagara Empire, it is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Puranas of Hinduism as Pampaa Devi Tirtha Kshetra.
Best Places To Visit In Hampi are as Follows :
Sri Virupaksha temple is the oldest shrine, the principal destination for pilgrims and tourists, and remains an active Hindu worship site.The temple faces eastwards, aligning the sanctums of the Shiva and Pampa Devi temples to the sunrise, a large gopuram marks its entrance.
Sri Vijaya Vitthala temple is near the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The temple opens to the east, has a square plan and features an entrance gopuram with two side gopurams. The main temple stands in the middle of a paved courtyard and several subsidiary shrines, all aligned to the east. The temple has three distinct compartments: a garbhagriha, an ardhamandapa and a mahamandapa.
Monkey Temple
Monkey Temple is located on Anjanadri Hill in Anegundi. Anjeyanadri Hill is an wonderful destination to explore in Hampi and is Believed that the birth place of Lord Hanuman it has a spiritual significance to it.
Pranadeva Temple
Pranadeva Temple or Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple built by the Dwaita philosopher and Rajguru Sri Vyasaraja of the Vijayanagara Empire about 500 years ago.The temple is located at hill top on the banks of Tungabhadra River.There is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama called Kodandarama Temple near the Hanuman temple which stands as an evidence of Rama's and Hanuman's union in this place.
Lotus Mahal
Chitrangini Mahal or Lotus Mahal literally means " Palace of Lotus". The name given to the palace is based on the shape it resembles. The balcony and the passages covered with a dome that looks like an open lotus bud. The central dome is also carved into a lotus bud. The arches of the palace take an Islamic impression, the multi-storey roof structure is also associated with the Indian-style buildings. The style and design is a wonderful blend of Islamic and Indian architecture.
Hemakuta Hill Temple
The Hemakuta group of temples is a cluster of ancient temples located on the Hemakuta hill in Hampi. Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering wonderful view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways.Hemakuta Hill is one of the best places to see the sunrise and sunset.
Prasanna Virupaksha Temple
Prasanna Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka under the ruler Deva Raya II also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire. Virupaksha Temple is the main center of pilgrimage.The Temple stands in the middle of a beautiful green lawn. .
Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple
Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple has a huge statue of Lord Ganesha carved from a single block of stone. The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple takes its name from the resemblance between Ganesha's stomach and a mustard seed locally known as Sasivekalu. The Ganesha is seen in a half-lotus position with four arms.
Lakshmi Narasimha Statue
Lakshmi Narasimha Statue or Statue of Ugra Narsimha is the largest monolith statue in Hampi. The statue is seated on the soils of a seven-hooded sacred snake called Adishesha,the King of snakes. The hoods of the snake make a canopy on the head of the Lord. On the hood of the snake, a lion mask has been placed.
The Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura. Kamalapura is a small town in the Bellary district in Karnataka. The museum is a collection of sculptures and artifacts and it beautifully captures the beauty of Hampi's bygone days.
Visiting Hours : from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Matanga Hill
Matanga Hill is one of the holy places described in the epic Ramayana as the base of Saint Matanga. It is the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi and it's environs. Matanga Hills is great place for the photography enthusiasts. The sunset and sunrise are the perfect time to capture this scenic beauty.
Daroji Bear Sanctuary
Daroji Bear Sanctuary is Asia's first sloth bear Sanctuary located in Ballari district in Karnataka. The Sanctuary has a rough terrain and during the visit, tourist can see animals like mongoose, black-naped hares,jackals, leopards, wild boards, hyenas, pangolins, porcupines and also denizens and Birds. Daroji Bear Sanctuary open at 4 PM to 6 PM each day.
Hippie Island
Hippie Island is in Virupapur village popularly known as hippie island Hampi due to its chilled-out vibes. The Island is surrounded by the Tungabhadra River. Hippie Island Hampi turned out to be a super relaxing retreat and a lot of fun.
Tungabhadra Dam
The Tungabhadra Dam, also known as Pampa Sagar, is a water reservoir constructed across the Tungabhadra River in the city of Hosapete Bellary district, Karnataka, India. It is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, etc. for the state. The dam is built of surki mortar, a combination of mud and limestone, commonly used at the time of its construction. The water body has various species of fish and other aquatic animals. Species such as greater spot-billed pelicans, flamingos, storks and others can also be spotted at the site.
Gagan Mahal
Gagan Mahal is a palace also known as Old Temple, located in the small village of Anegundi near Hampi belongs to Vijayanagara Empire. The Mahal was once an impressive structure that was constructed in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The palace was built in such a manner that it remained cool even in the hot summer months.
Elephant Stables
Elephant Stables is a long structure with a series of domed chambers used to keep royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. The elephant stable in Hampi is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The design of the central dome represents the architectural style found in the temples of Hampi. It is one of the monuments preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Monolithic Bull
The Monolithic Bull is also known as Nandi or Yeduru Basavanna or Eduru Basavanna. The statue is housed in a twin storied pavilion built on an elevated platform. The big boulders behind the monolithic bull add to the beauty of the place. The structure is admired for its large size, the bull statue has very basic carvings and has stood the trials of time and damage over the years.
Badavilinga Temple
Badavilinga Temple is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva and one of the most popular tourist places in Hampi. It is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and has a beautiful Linga carved out of black stone. The temple is a small and simple structure, it is a fascinating place to visit and have a look at the large Shiva Linga.The Shiva Linga has a large pedestal which is round in shape. This is the yone pitha of Shiva Linga. This circle pedestal is attached to the outlet known as pranala. A Shiva Linga pedestal stands on a bed of water.
The Queen’s Bath Hampi
The Queen’s Bath is the private bathing chambers of the kings and queens of the Vijanagara empire.It is in rectangular structure with a plain outer form .The structure of the Queen’s Bath is in Indo-Islamic Style and has a lot of arched doors and window frames in Islamic monuments.
Hampi Bazaar or Virupaksha Bazaar
Hampi Bazaar is located in front of the Virupaksha Temple.The Bazaar is a vibrant place filled with traditional costumes, jewelleries, embroidered shawls, carved artifacts, clothes, clay dolls and antiques.
The Coracle Ride
Coracle Ride is a circular shaped country boat and carries 6 to 8 people on a single trip across the river.Its a natural Terran of the place.Coracle rides can be arranged at Tungabhadra River boating area, Sanapur Lake, or at Sanapur waterfalls.
Zenana Enclosure
Zenana Enclosure is a beautiful monument inside and has a tall Compound.It situated in the area approaching the Royal Enclosure and near the Ranga Temple.The fortified area has two entrances, one in the northern side and the other in the north-eastern side.The structures of the Zenana Enclosure are designed in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.
Achyuta Raya Temple
Achyuta Raya Temple is located between Gandhamadana and Matanga Hills.The temple is dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha form of Vishnu.this temple is an example of Vijayanagara style temple architecture.There is a Mandapa which is a marriage hall of the Gods and the Goddesses for the yearly nuptials.
Hazara Rama Temple
Hazara Rama Temple is dedicated to Lord Sree Rama, a hindu deity.The temple is famous for the lovely bas-relics and depicting the story of the epic Ramayana.The Walls of this temple carry the story of Ramayana carved on stone.The relics also depict processions of horses, elephants,soldiers, and dancing women taking part in the Dasara festival rally at that time.
Krishna Temple
Krishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Balakrishna and it is built by the King Krishnadevaraya.The inner sides of the temple exhibit beautifully sculptured Apsaras standing on mythical animals and holding scrolls filled with panels showing the ten incarnations of the lord
Kadalekalu Ganesha
Kadalekalu Ganesha is the largest statue in Hampi.The belly of Ganesha Statue resembles a Bengal gram (locally as Kadalekalu).The hall is decorated with tall and slender granite pillars standing in the hall.