"Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it ..." so praised Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy, who visited Hampi. 343 km from Bangalore and 74 km from Bellary, Hampi - a world heritage centre - is the most beautiful of all the ruins in Karnataka. The Tungabhadra river flows through Hampi, on the banks of which, it is said, the Goddess Hampi (Parvati) attained Lord Shiva. Historians like Muniz and Paes have praised it by calling it greater than Rome, it's palaces plated with jewel encrusted gold, simply the 'best provided city in the world'. ..." so praised Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy, who visited Hampi. 343 km from Bangalore and 74 km from Bellary, Hampi - a world heritage centre - is the most beautiful of all the ruins in Karnataka. The Tungabhadra river flows through Hampi, on the banks of which, it is said, the Goddess Hampi (Parvati) attained Lord Shiva. Historians like Muniz and Paes have praised it by calling it greater than Rome, it's palaces plated with jewel encrusted gold, simply the 'best provided city in the world'.

The former capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, Hampi is full of delightful surprises. In the 13th century, the markets here overflowed with luxuriant silks, brilliant diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Today, the Market Place with its ancient, roofless stalls is a riot of colour on festive nights, when the Virupaksha Temple is all ablaze with lamps and has a carnival atmosphere about it.

The King's Balance, where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money, which was subsequently distributed to the poor, the Queen's Bath,, open to the sky, surrounded by a moat, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains, that once spouted perfumed water, and the fascinating two storeyed Lotus Mahal, decorated with recessed archways, are some of the main attractions of Hampi. decorated with recessed archways, are some of the main attractions of Hampi. It is said that the beauty of women has been the inspiration of the exquisite Lotus Mahal in the Women's enclosure. A little away, stands the crumbling watch tower, once guarded by eunuchs, from where the royal ladies could watch the festivities taking place. The flat platform of the Mahanavami Dibba was an excellent vantage point for the royalty. They witnessed the city coming to life during the nine, vibrant nights of Dussehra.

Virupaksha Temple is a majestic building at the western end of 700 m long street that was once the famous Hampi Bazaar. The 6.7 m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha or Lakshmi Narasimha lies near this place. But nothing beats the sheer grandeur of the  Vittala Temple complex in Hampi with its 56 musical pillars. Legend has it, that Lord Vishnu returned to his own 'humble home' on finding it too grand to live in. To the east of this complex is the famous Stone Chariot, with stone wheels that actually rotate. The grandeur of the bygone era can be captured in the Vijaynagar festival organised by the Government of Karnataka. An incredible panorama of the surrounding land can be seen from the 49 m high and 2 km long Tungabhadra Dam which is six km from Hospet.

Pushkarni - This place is one of the most recent excavations. The once powerful Vijaynagar empire was compared to Rome by the Portugese traveller Paes. Hampi Kannada University campus is three kilometers away from Hampi and is a must-see.

Though in ruin, Hampi still retains it's beauty and is as enticing as it was centuries ago.

When to Visit
The ideal time to visit Hampi, is from October to March.

How to get there

By Air
The nearest airport is Bellary (74 km). Other convenient airports are Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km).
By Rail
Hospet (13 km) is the nearest railhead. Hospet is linked by rail with Bangalore, Bijapur and Hubli.
By Road
Hampi is 353 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet. Buses ply regularly to Hospet from Bangalore.

Where to stay
Hampi Power Guest House.

Accomodation is also available at the Tungabhadra Dam - Vaikuntha Guest House, Inspection Bungalow. At Hospet - Hotel Mayura Vijayanagar (KSTDC). At Kamalapura - PWD inspection Bungalow.