Hampi: UNESCO World Heritage Ruins In India

Hampi is situated by the Tungabhadra River bank located on the eastern region of Central Karnataka. The site is located on the borders of Andhra Pradesh. It happens to be at a distance of 376 kilometers from Bangalore and is situated at 165 km from Hubli.

Hampi is also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular Hindu Pilgrimage Centre. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern India which gives a deep reflection of the society, culture, art and heritage of one of the biggest empires of 14th century India – The Vijayanagara Empire.

Hampi holds a huge historical significance and is the standing eyewitness of the rich heritage of India. It is one of the most important Non Mughal historical sites of India. No wonder it attracts thousands of tourists and visitors every year not only from India but also from other parts of the world as a whole.

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Hampi Group of Monuments Built by

Several Chronicles left by the European Portuguese and the Persian travelers has mentioned Hampi as one of the wealthy, prosperous and grandest cities of contemporary Southern India. This Imperial city of the Vijayanagar Empire boasted of plush farms, busy trading centre and beautiful Hindu temples. Around 1500 CE Hampi was the second biggest city of the mediaeval world and was just after Beijing in terms of a layout, size population and business output. Being one of the richest Indian cities of the contemporary times Hampi successfully attracted business class from Portugal and Persia.

The modern era ruins of Hampi are spread over an area of 4100 hectares and had been described as a grandiose and austere by the authorities of UNESCO. Historians have found more than 1600 historical artifacts from this site which includes palatial fort, sacred and royal complexes, riverside features, shrines, temples, mandapas, pillared halls, water structures, Memorial structures etc.

Even in the current times Hampi continues to be an eminent religious attraction and which contains the famous Virupaksha Temple and monastery that is linked to Adi Shankara with several other significant religious monuments here and there.

The Vijayanagar Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates. Hampi being the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire was conquered, plundered and destroyed by the Sultanate Armies around the year 1565. Since then Hampi has remained in ruins.

Best Time to Visit Hampi

Hampi is open for the visitors all round the week. You can visit the site from morning 5am to evening 6pm. All though the site was closed due to the threat of the pandemic, now the site is slowly opening for the rest of the crowd.

The Virupaksha temple is one of the first sites to have opened for the tourists.

Although bits and parts of the ruins have electricity and related illumination if you wish to explore the place and take a firsthand look at its grandeur then you must visit the place during the daylight hours.

Hampi Tourism Information

Some historians are of the opinion that Hampi can be credited even before the Vijayanagara Empire. The Ashokan epigraphy offers enough evidence to support this fact. The Pampa Devi Tirth Kshetra also helped mention of The Puranas and Ramayan on it. The Rock Edict of Emperor Ashoka near Udegolam and Nittur which happens to be in the modern Bellary district indicates that this area was probably a part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd Century BCE.

Terracotta seals that has been dated back to 2nd century CE with Brahmi inscriptions on them has even been found from the excavated site. The Chalukya town of Badami was probably in this area between 6th and 8th century. During the rule of the Kalyana Chalukya who were Hindu Kings the region attained huge educational and religious prosperity. This was in the 10th century that has been indicated from various instructions found on the Virupaksha Temple.

Between the 12th in the 14th centuries Hoysala Dynasty Hindu kings in South India had built a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, and Hampa Devi in this region. No wonder Hampi became the political, religious and cultural epicenter of Royal dynasties in South India.

Hampi Located & How to Reach

Hospete is the nearest town from the location of Hampi. It is about 13 km from Hampi. However if you are travelling from other parts of India it is best to come down to Bengaluru from where you can arrange for any public or private transport to come down to Hampi.

Bengaluru is connected to all the other parts of India through intricate network of railway and flights. So now you can choose a medium of transport which is the most convenient and economic one. Once inside Hampi you will need a vehicle to go around the ruins of the Imperial City and check out the various historical monuments.

If you are travelling alone or with a single partner it is best to rent a bike. If you are travelling in a large gang ask your resorts to arrange for a private car that will take you around the city and help you find and see all the historical ruins.

Entrance Fee for Hampi India:

Indian tourists need to pay Rs. 30 as their entry fee to Hampi. Tourists from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries must also pay Rs 30 as their entry fee for the site. Foreigners needs to pay Rs. 500 to get there entry tickets. Children up to the age of 15 can visit the site for free. You can take your camera without any additional cost to the site. You can either buy the tickets once you are at the site of Hampi or you can even pre book your tickets online from different virtual platforms.

Hampi Places to Visit & Important Structures

Hampi used to be a full fledged imperial City during Vijayanagar Empire. This is more than evident from the architectural and archaeological remains found in the excavation site. Naturally Hampi as a significant historical site holds a number of important historical monuments, dilapidated constructions and other age old artifact from the ancient’s time which gives us a deep insight into the life, society, politics and culture of 14th century South India.

As a tourist visiting the site you must have at least 3 to 4 hours in your hand if you wish to see every important element within the Hampi side. The old ruins of the Ancient Vijayanagar City contain a number of Hindu, Jain and Muslim monuments. Important Hindu monuments that you must check out our Virupaksha Temple, Krishna temple, Achyutaraya temple, Vitthala Temple, Hemakuta Hill monuments, Hazara Rama temple, Kodandarama temple and the riverside monuments, Pattabhirama temple complex, Mahanavami platform along with the public square complex, the waterfall structure, the community kitchen and the fountains, the animal stable and the adjoining enclosures along with several other Hindu monuments and Temple. Among the Jain monuments you must see the Ganagatti temple and the adjoining complex.

Apart from this there are many other Jain temples and relevance monuments to checkout. The Ahmed Khan Mosque and the adjoining tomb are some of the most important Muslim constructions or monuments in the area. To know the history of the place better hire a guide who can give you and insightful details behind the construction and the usage of the various monuments mentioned.

Hampi Tourist Places & time to visit

The months between November and March are the most favorable time to visit Hampi and explore its various historical elements. During this time climate in the region is pleasant and staying outdoors during the daylight hours will be highly comfortable. Avoid the place during the summers and the monsoon as the former exhibits really high temperatures and visiting the place soon after rainfall might not be exactly pleasant.

Hampi Bangalore History

The ruins at Hampi has a really famous history. It is one of the most prominent indications of a rich and flourishing Hindu rule in India that was by no means any inferior or small compared to the Mughal reigns. The historical remnants found in the location are of massive importance. They have contributed much to the knowledge of the history of the southern part of the sub continent. Hampi although is known to be the imperial city of the Vijayanagar empire was also touched by other dynastic rules like the Hoysalas. No wonder it is one of the most interesting tourist attractions of southern India that attracts millions of tourists every year.

Hampi Tourist Places & Attractions Nearby

Hampi is nearby to Bangalore. Although it is a huge complex in its own right and tourist visiting the place if is interested in exploring the whole of the gamut must have a couple days in hand. Even after that you will have some more places to checkout in the nearby area. Let us take a look at them: –