Vani Parameswaran
A Weekend Trip to Hampi in Karnataka can refresh the memories of those days of History Classes,
where once we must have got introduced to the Chalukyas of Badami, the Hoysalas rulers and all
the other famous rulers and kingdoms of Karnataka. This time with UNESCO’s Recognition as World
Heritage site, this ancient village which served as the capital of one of the largest Kingdoms of India,
has kept a lot of mysteries and stories for the travelers.
This place with its rich heritage has so much to offer for enthusiastic travelers, with its ancient
temples, ruins of Kingdoms, Indian architecture, and its historical antiquity, that it attracts Lakhs of
travelers from around the globe in large numbers. One of the biggest boon for travelers can be
that, all the attractions of Hampi are located in the proximity of 37kms, which makes it easy for the
travelers to explore the places really well.
Vitthala Temple is one of the most important temples to be found at Hampi, as its workmanship with
respect to the architectural wonders is beyond words. It has massive Entrances on three sides which
is termed as Gopuras at North, south, and east. Vitthala temples is also called as Vittaleswara in the
inscriptions. The sculptures found in this temple can make one question about the artistic
intelligence of the former sculptors. The Stone Chariot is often referred to as the Photography Spot
amongst the travelers. This Stone Shrine was built with many Giant Granite Blocks; its carvings
showcase the mythical battle scenes. In the same campus of Vitthala temple, situates a place called
Vitthala Bazaar, which marks the ancient testimony of the ancient market and Lifestyle.
Narsimha Shrine, a huge monolithic sculpture of Narasimha is located near to Krishna Temple,
another attraction in Hampi. It depicts one of the outstanding Art of Ancient times of Vijayanagra. A
large Shivalinga also situates near to this very Narasimha shrine. This 3 meters high Shivalinga has a
charm amongst the travelers, as its lower part of the linga remains in water throughout the year.
The source of water is through a small canal drawn from the Tungabhadra River.
Queens bath is yet another artistic wonders of all time found in Hampi. It is close to the
chandrshekhara temple. This place is marked as one of the most visited structures of Hampi. It is a
large square structure with a plain exterior and an ornate interior. It was, theoretically, once used as
a royal bathing place.
Hemakut Hill locates towards the north west of the corner of the Krishna Temple that leads to a group of
early temples. This place is one among the best to see the sunrise and sunset, and not as tedious to
reach the top compared to other hills found in Hampi. A number of temples in this area are
dedicated to Lord Shiva, the major one being the Virupaksha Temple at the north of this hill.
Hampi, a place of wonderful architectural and heritage makes it an outstanding place for heritage
tours. As we move on to the technological Era, it is necessary to conserve these beautiful places
which remind us of our ancestral wonders and heritage. This place will surely give a traveler, a trip
full of memories and knowledge.
