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Hampi Travel
"
Vijayanagara"
is such that the pupil of they eye has never seen a place like it.." so eulogized
Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy who visited Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara
kingdom, in 1443.
You can still glimpse the splendour of
Vijayanagara
in its ruins. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of a
700m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar. This is the only temple
at Hampi that is still used for worship. Nearby is the 6.7 m tall monolith of
Ugra Narasimha, seated under a canopy of a seven hooded snake.
The most
splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtly the
Vithala Temple Complex. The
56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east of
the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve!
Hampi is full of such surprises. Like the King's Balance, where ruling kings were
weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor. Or
the Queen's Bath, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus -
shaped fountains. Or even the Lotus Mahal in the 'Zenana' enclosure.
A beautiful Two-Storied place with recessed archways set in geometric regularity
and opening out to the sun and the wind like the petals of a flower. The imposing
Elephant Stables have arched entrances and domes. And in the Royal Enclosure of
the city is the Hazara Rama Temple.
Explore Hampi at your own pace.
Its monuments - like its centuries old patience and wisdom must be savoured bit
by bit.
Local Festival The Vijayanagar Festival
is
organized by the Government of Karnataka in December. Dance, drama, music, fireworks,
puppet shows, spectacular processions, all combine to recreate the grandeur of
the bygone era.
Languages Spoken: Kannada, Hindi, English.
When to go there. October to March
How to get there:
Air : The nearest Airport is Bellary (74 kms). Other convenient airports
are at Belgaum (190 kms) and Bangalore(353 kms).
Rail :
Hospet is the nearest railhead (13 kms). Hospet is linked by rail to Bangalore,
Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal.
Road : Hampi is 350 kms from
Bangalore.
Hampi
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