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TravelTips24 : Asia : South Asia : India : Southern India : Karnataka : Northern Karnataka : Bellary : Hampi

Hampi

Hampi [1] in Karnataka state, India is the site of the once-magnificent capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Culture and History

Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar(14th century empire). The ruins of the empire is spread over the area of 26 sq km. "A Forgotten Empire" (ISBN 1419101250) by Robert Sewell is an interesting book which describes the rise and fall of Vijayanagar empire. It seems at one point of time, diamonds were sold on the streets of this empire.

Hampi is well worth the visit. The area is simply stunning and you will be in awe of the millions of boulders surrounding the area. However, within this arid landscape lies a little oasis with lush palm, banana and mango trees nestled near the river. Hampi is a great place to spend a few days wandering around and discovering the rich, vibrant history while also having a bit of 'your' time.

Travel to Hampi & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Hampi

The nearest airport is at Bellary. Air Deccan [2] flies daily from Bangalore.

By train

The nearest railway station is Hospet Junction (IR station code : HPT), 13 km away.

Overnight trains run several times a week from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. The trains are a much cheaper and more comfortable route than the tourist buses most people are led into. (2 AC - bed with linen - costs 750Rs from Bangalore to Hampi)

Here are some useful trains to get into Hampi:

From Hospet it's convenient to take a rickshaw to Hampi (Rs.80-120). Rickshaw drivers can be persistent and will poke their heads in the train before you even get off, but they may very well be the best option. Buses to Hampi are cheaper but it's about a kilometer and a half walk from the train station to the bus station.

Also see Rail travel in India

By car

  • Bangalore: 350 km. Drive till Chitradurga on NH-4, take a right turn on NH-13 towards Sholapur till Hospet, and then drive another 13 km to reach Hampi (direction towards Hampi is well marked). The road is in excellent condition till Chitradurga but then deteriorates rapidly. You are also likely to encounter traffic jams due to ore-laden trucks plying on NH-13.
  • Hyderabad: 360 km. Take NH-7 till Jadcharla X-Road, turn right towards Mahboobnagar and carry on till Raichur. From Raichur, take Karnataka State Highway 20 towards Lingasugar, turn left at 10 km after Raichur onto Karnataka State Highway 23 to Sindhanoor. The road on the last 15-25 km stretch, after Gangavati, is not so bad. Lots of speed breakers in Karnataka. The 5-10 km stretch just before the Andhra Pradesh - Karnataka States Border on Andhra Pradesh side is full of potholes.

Buses to Hampi

  • There are private bus companies operating from most places in Goa and from Gokarna which run an overnight service to Hampi. Unfortunately, there is no direct return so you take a local bus (or taxi) to Hospet and take it from there.

Tours & Getting around Hampi

Motorcycle/Scooter/Moped - It is very hot! Dry dry heat. And the walk between some sites can be at least 5 km. Plus, the surrounding area is quite breathtaking to ride around and you can explore some parts that the rickshaws won't take you. Guides are willing to ride on the back with you as well. This is a more expensive option (not for the thrifty!) than the rickshaw but it gives you more freedom and you can cover more in one day without rushing it. Take a guide with you one day, then do it all again by yourself the next.

When renting a scooter petrol costs extra. Two litres will get you to the major sites around Royal Centre and back, but three litres is a safer option. The countryside is a beautiful place for a leasurely drive so it's worth taking lots of fuel.

Bicycle Eventhough everywhere you can rent bicycle it is not such a good choice to cycle in the heat the hills up and down, if you want to enjoy the landscape. It is simply too hot.

Rikshaw and official guide Another more convient variant is to see all the sights without climbing the hills is by Rikshaw. Bargain with your Rikshaw driver for a fixed rate (400-500 for a full day seems to be okay) and then hire an offical Karnataka Travel guide (at the tourist office, they have fixed rates: 4h - 500Rs, 8h - 800Rs.) It costs a little bit, but the explanations help you to see more then just stones and temples.

The ruins of Hampi are located within a 30 sq km area. While most of the famous places have motorable roads leading upto them, the real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. Virtually every rock in Hampi has a story to say. This story is best heard if you give it time and walk around from rock to rock.

Hampi attractions and sightseeing

Hampi is a visual delight, especially due to its stark contrast from most other places. Rocks are all you see whichever direction you look at. Vegetation is visible in the wet months; but again it never dominates the landscape. It is an ideal spot for people who are interested in history and/or nature.

There are many sites of interest in and around Hampi. The must-visits are Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Monolith Bull, Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Hemakuta Hill temples, Big Shivlinga, Vithala Temple (the famous Stone Chariot is located here), Hazara Rama Temple, Royal Enclosures, Queen's Bath, Zanana Enclosure (which also houses the Lotus Mahal), Elephant Stables, Achyut Raya temple, Statue of Ugra Narsimha, Virupaksha Temple, Mahanavmi Dibba, the Stepped Bath and the Matanga Hill (from where one can see the most beautiful sun set ever).

Take a ride in the "Dongi" or "Coracles" in the Tungabhadra river to see some beautiful rock forms caused by erosion over the years or to croos over - Reports as of August 2007 indicate that Karnataka Government has banned these boats but deployed a motor boat for river crossings (Rs. 5 per Indian per one way crossing, Rs. 10 for non Indians, Rs. 15 for non Indians carrying luggage). These rates are liable to change (read: increase) judging by the attitudes of the 12 year-olds who handle the money on the ferries.

There are also several "Shivalings" along the river which the boatman will guide you to.

The old capital called Anegundi, across the river from Hampi also has many sites. The Monkey Temple on Anjenaya Hill (involves climbing up 572 steps) and the Old Palace are definitely worth a visit.

To do justice to all the sites, one needs a minimum of 3 full days of sight seeing.

Hampi city tours

A good amount of walking is a must, as the ruins are scattered over a huge area. Moped/bicycle hire is a good option to move around.

Cross the river by one of those coracle ferry. The other side of the river (Anegondi) spots a number of pre Vijayanagara relics.

Hampi souvenirs & shopping

The stone carvings are made by local artists and are a good buy here. The same thing in Bangalore will cost ten times the price. The hand stiched blankets are also a good buy.

Hampi Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There are lots of places in Hampi Bazaar where you get satisfying and inexpensive food, though be prepared for a long wait at most places as the chefs are typically family members who prepares food to order. However, they are good at their jobs and can offer a wide range of different cuisines.

The Multi cuisine air conditioned Restaurant "TEMPTATIONS" at Hotel Malligi really tempts the appetite . The overall atmosphere is bright, bubbly and cheerful giving giganticity and charm. It is indeed extravagant in its decor with a theme of 12 sun-signs. (This hotel is not anywhere near Hampi at all, it is in Hospet Junction.)

Restaurants:

  • The Goan Corner , an idyllic cafe on the other side of the river is an experience in itself. Really really famous among the foriegner crowds, it takes a 10-15 min walk across the green paddy fields to make your way to this place.It is run by a very friendly family where the lady don, Sharmila reigns supreme.Unlike the other closely arranged cafes, Goan Corner is rather desolated and adds to the magic that Hampi creates.
  • Venkateshwara
  • Geetha
  • Mango Tree. One of the nicest, most relaxed restaurant settings you will ever come across. Set along side the banks of the river, you can lounge comfortably on the steps underneath the huge mango tree sipping some of the best lassis you will come across in India. They do a decent (fantastic?) thali at lunch time and have a broad range of food on the menu. Its the perfect place to hideaway from the afternoon heat and zone out to the beautiful view.
  • Sagar Hotel's Idli, Dosa & Gunta Pongal. Just besides Gopi Guest House and right infront of the Shambhu Guest House, which are located near the Virupaksha Temple, 'Shankaramma' under a thatched roof makes delicious idlies, dosas and the tasty 'gunta pongal.' Do not miss this place. The food is not only delicious but also very cheap.

Hampi nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Hampi is a religious center so drinking is not allowed. Therefore, beer or other alcoholic drinks are generally not available at local restaurants. However, Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari in in the neighboring town of Kamalapur has a bar that serves beer and wine.

Although few hotels like Shanti and Kishkinda, which are located across the river, do serve beer and hard liqour

The Waves at Hotel Malligi is an open air bar and restaurant. The bar is stacked with exotic and aromatic array of spirits, liqueurs and wines to quench the need of every guest. The restaurant also serves a wide variety of delicious continental, Chinese, North Indian, Mughlai and South Indian food.

Hampi cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

There are several guest house in Hampi, though staying in Hospet or the nearby town of Kamalapur are also options.

Budget

Most guest houses in Hampi are rather basic. Do not expect too much. Avoid places recommended in the Lonely Planet guide, because they immediately raise their rates and lower their quality.

  • Shanthi Guest House is situated across the river Tungabhadra. After you cross the river, take a left and at the end of the lane, as you walk besides paddy fields, is the Shanthi Guest House. This is a nice place to relax, as it offers cottage-style accommodation. The prices are around Rs.500 per room. Their phone number is (+91)8394-325352
  • The Kamala Guest House is clean enough and has screens on the windows and mosquito nets in the rooms. All the rooms have solar powered lights and some have solar powered fans, which can come in handy because the regular power goes out regularly. It's worth bargaining for the rate. A decent price is Rs.200-300 per room (Sept. 2007).
  • Sree Rama Guest House is close to the main temple offers decent accommodation with private bathroom. From the bazaar, turn right just in front of the main temple and then follow the main road. The hotel also gives electronic mosquito killers for free. The Internet downstairs is one of the best in Hampi. Room charge is Rs.200-250 per night (Jan. 2008)
  • Vicky's charges around Rs. 500 per room (Jan. 2008) and has a mediocre rooftop restaurant. The rooms are not the cleanest and the bathroom definitely needs refurbishment. There are three computers downstairs and only the one on the left is in working condition. The other two are very slow. It used to be good until all the tourists swarmed into it under the guide of Lonely Planet.

Mid range

  • Hotel Malligi in Hospet (near train station, but far from Hampi) has 170 rooms. Among these, 100 are air-conditioned luxury rooms, 6 are air-conditioned luxury suites and 14 are A/C supplement rooms. All the rooms have well-furnished bathrooms with running hot and cold water supply and also with shower facilities. The Tariff for these rooms ranges from 300 to 5000 (excluding luxury tax).
  • Kishkindha Heritage Resort offers all inclusive packages. The place is only 3km WALK from the ruins on the other side of the river. Non Veg and liquor is available.

Get out

Respect

  • Out of deference to the sacred nature of the site, do not consume drugs and alcohol in the area.

This page was last edited at 09:14, on 2 October 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Peter Fitzgerald, Wikitravel user(s) Morph, Jonboy, SBC-YPR and WindHorse, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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