Considering if Hampi is worth a visit and to travel a long distance? I would definitely, without hesitation, say YES. Whether you are looking to explore the ruins, temples and monuments, shoot amazing sunset pictures with the rice fields in the background, or just to chill and relax, Hampi is a fascinating destination. Here’s a list of things to do and see while visiting Hampi. Explore the many ruins, temples, monuments and it’s unique landscape of boulders and rice fields.

1. Short history of Hampi

Hampi is one the finest historical sites in India. The just to be the  capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire and located on the bank of the Tungabhadra river. Hampi is 11km away from Hospet in the state of Karnataka, between Hyderabad and Bangalore. In Hampi you will experience the magnificent culture and architecture. For more than 200 years, around 1336 AD to 1565 AD, Hampi was the capital city. The Vijayanagara Rulers designed and decorated the city with many palaces, temples, marker streets, monuments and other impressive structures. The landscape and ruins in and around Hampi are selected as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. During the Battle of Talikota, which is now a small town in Karnataka, the Sultan defeated Vijayanagar  and killed Aliya Rama Raya. They plundered and destroyed Hampi to the ruined state you see today.

2. What to see at Hampi Bazaar?

Hampi Bazaar is located on the south bank of the Tungabhadra river. Here you find the Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill and the Vittale Temple. The small and rustic village of Hampi is located next to the Virupaksha Temple. There are plenty of guest houses, restaurants, shops and even a book store and German bakery. At the north side of the river is Virupapur Gaddi or as tourists like to call it Hampi Island Best way to explore Hampi Island and the surrounding area is by scooter. It’s a great location to watch the sunset with amazing green rice fields and a landscape filled with boulders in the background.

Virupaksha Temple

The Virupaksha Temple is the oldest temple in Hampi and was build in the 7^th century AD. It is believed that the temple was never closed since the 7^th century. The Virupaksha Temple is located next to the Hampi Bazaar and close to the local bus station. The temple is an important destination for the worshipers of Lord Shiva. The annual festivals attract huge crowds of pilgrims but also tourists.

The original temple in the 7^th century excisted only in a few small shrines with images of the god and the goddesses. The temple expanded over the centuries  into a sprawling complex with many shrines, towered gateways, pillared halls, flag posts, lamp posts and courtyards.

Hemakuta Hill

Next to the Virupaksha Temple is Hemakuta Hill. It is a group of monuments, temples and shrines. The top of the hill is an excellent sunset/rise viewpoint. Hemakuta Hill is always open and there is no entrance fee. The Hemakuta temples are also dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the myths in Hampi is that Lord Shiva (the god of destruction) did penance on the Hemakuta Hill for marrying a local girl. When marrying her it was raining gold on the hill. Hema means gold in Sanskrit and also the name of the hill hence the legend.

Hampi Bazaar Market

Hampi Bazaar is located in front of the Virupaksha Temple and next to the local bus stand. The Bazaar is one kilometer long and ends in front of the Matanga Hill. Today you can still see the old pavilions of the old market during the Vijayanagara rule. The arcades have an open structures with no doors and back in the day the upper class merchants lived in these buildings. On the market cows and horses were traded as well as jewellery, silk clothes, precious stones and many more. The Hampi Bazaar is still used as a market but not very attractive anymore.

Vittala Temple

The Vittala Temple is the most iconic attraction in Hampi. The magnificent architecture of the temples, halls, pavilions makes it a historical masterpiece. The temple was build in the 15^th century AD and several King’s expanded the temple in the following centuries. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vitthale, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple amplifies the creativity and architectural excellence by the sculptors and artisans of the Vijayanagara era.

Inside this complex you find the Stone Chariot and considered to be the most stunning architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdom. The Stone Chariot is located in the courtyard of the temple and is in fact a shrine built in the form of a chariot. Around the campus you can see ruins of the township Vittalapura.

The Ranga Mantapa is another main attraction at the Vittala Temple. The large mantapa has 56 musical pillars. The musical instruments can be tapped gently to hear the musical notes. Many people were fascinated by the musical stone pillars and remained a mystery for centuries. The Britisch cut down of the musical pillars to see what was inside to find them empty inside.

King’s Balance

The 5-meter stone structure is a rare balance scale. It is located to the southwest of the Vittala temple. The King used to weigh himself with precious stones, gold, silver or gems and distributed this amount to the priests.

The Sacred Banyan Tree

On the way to the Vitalla temple you pass the Sacred Banyan tree. You find the tree after the pond. People create stone balance structures and tie a piece of clothing on the branches of the tree. The Sacred Banyan tree is a symbol for devotion in the Hindu Religion.  The old banyan trees are worshipped because Hindus believe the tree is a messenger of God. While tying the clothing on the branches they make a wish and so sending a message to the Gods.

3. What is the Royal Enclosure in Hampi?

The Royal Enclosure is referred to the ruins of the old palaces and temples. This enclosure is scattered with many relics of buildings, baths, halls, horse stables and much more. It’s possible to walk from Hampi Bazaar but you can also hire a rickshaw to get there. It’s about 2km from Hampi Bazaar.

Zenana Enclosure

The Zenana Enclosure was a reserved area for the royal women. The most impressive is the Lotus Mahal at the right side corner of the enclosure. In the middle of the complex is the Queen’s Palace but only the basement is what’s left of it. Until today the Queen’s Palace is the largest palace excavated in and around Hampi. At three corners of the complex are three watchtowers. It’s said that the soldiers and guards were eunuchs.

When you follow the path you reach the Elephant Stables, a few temples and the Guard’s Quarters. The complex is know an open garden space. It’s one of the two places where visitors have to pay an entrance fee. With this ticket you can also get into the Elephant Stables and the Vittala Temple but is only valid for 1 day. So you have to visit the Zenana Closure, the Elephant Stables and the Vittala Temple on the same day if you don’t want to pay a double entrance fee.

Mahanavami-dibba

The Mahanavami Dibba is the tallest structure in this area today. King Krishnadevaraya build this platform to watch the army march passing by, war games, aquatic sports, royal animal shows, musical performances and the nine day night state festival. There are two stairways to reach the top. On the top there is nothing special to see. It’s climbing the stairs to watch the view of the enclosure around it.

Queen’s Bath

The reason why they called this complex the Queen’s Bath is still a mystery. It was a pleasure complex for the king and his wives. In the middle of the building is a pond and surrounded by veranda’s and balconies. Around the building is a water cannel and probably designed to prevent intruders from walking into the place where royal women took a bath.

Archaeological Museum

Not far from the Queen’s Bath in Kamalapuram is the Archaeological Museum. The house a quality collection of sculptures from local ruins in Hampi. They also have a interesting collections of lithic tools, coins, 16^th century weapons and a large model of the Vijayanagar ruins. It’s an fascinating display and it gives you an idea about the area and the relative locations of the all the sites in Hampi.

4. What to see and do at Hampi Island?

Hire a scooter

Once you have crossed the river you arrive on Hampi Island. You walk straight into the small village of Virupapur Gaddi. Here you find many guest houses, restaurants and shops. This side of the river is much quieter than Hampi Bazaar. There are hardly any cars and rickshaw here. Why? Because the road in the village is terrible. You have to walk to the east side of the village to find a rickshaw. On request they do drive you or pick you up in the village. The best way to explore Hampi Island is hiring a scooter. The main road, which starts when you see the Tungabhadra Bukka Aquaduct, is much better and more suitable to drive around with a scooter.

Durga Temple

The Durga Temple is located on a small hill. People tie pieces of clothing onto the tree for their wish to God. If you walk passed the kitchen and make a right turn you see an old Islamic fort structure. Keep walking along the path and you reach the Ganesh cave temple. The view is amazing but there is a higher hill with an even more breath taking view further down the road called Anjanadri Hill.

Anjanadri Hill

According to Indian Hindu mythology the Anjanadri Hill is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. For devotees of Hanuman this hill is sacred place of the monkey god. The temple on top of the hill is white coloured structure and from here you have a spectacular view. You have to walk up 550 stairs to get there but trust me when I say it’s definitely worth it. You overlook the rice fields, the river and an unique landscape full of boulders.

Sanapur Lake

Sanapur Lake is not a natural lake but basically an irrigation reservoir. You don’t find many tourists here and some local folks are offering you a boat ride on the lake. Strictly it’s not a boat but more a big floating basket. Think of Jungle Book! The drive to the lake takes you around the rice fields, banana plantations and small local villages.

Onake Kindi Cave Paintings

The Onake Kindi Cave is not well known at all. I asked locals and no one knew what I was talking about. On Google Maps you find the Onake Kindi Cave north west of Anegundi. The location is pretty much exact but there are no signs here. If you see a tree on the left side on the road and a trail between the rice fields towards a small boulder hill you found the right spot. If you reach the boulder formation you have to climb up a bit and you reach a door. You have to knock on that door and just hoping that someone is there to open it for you because it is private property. I was unlucky because no one opened the door. I have literally know idea what’s up there. I have read the Google reviews and some find it worth a shot to visit the cave, so I challenge you to find out what’s up there. Send me picture if you do get in!…

Tungabhadra Bukka Aqueduct

If you stay at Hampi Island aka Virupapur Gadde you can walk down the one road they have there. At the end before you reacht the main road you can see the ancient aqueduct. Only a small part of structure is left today. The unusual height suggest an ambitious plan to lift a huge amount water to a suburb located at an elevated section.

Boulder and rock climbing

If you love boulder and rock climbing than this is the place to be when you are in India. It’s not my cup of tea but to make a complete list of things to do in Hampi I added this option. There are several agencies offering rock climbing in Hampi. After doing some research myself I found three good and reliable option. The first one is Thimma Climb, or Tom and Jerry, or Reaching Out.

Get even more inspired to visit Hampi and check out the photogallery of Hampi. The top best photos are selected out of the many photos I’ve taken during my trip in Hampi.