Hampi
The main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two broad areas: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram. The 15th-century Virupaksha Temple is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. It is one of the oldest monuments of the town. The tower of the temple rises about 50 m from the ground and the main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva.Hemakuta Hill, south of the Virupaksha temple, contains early ruins, Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu. Hemakuta Hill offers excellent views of Hampi Bazaar.
Two kilometers east of Hampi Bazaar is the World Heritage Vithala temple, built in the 16th century. The carvings on this temple give an insight into the architectural splendor achieved by the artisans of the Vijaynagar Empire. The outer pillars of this temple are known as “the musical pillars” as they produce sounds of different musical instruments.
Between Hampi Bazaar and Vishala temple, one can see the deserted Sule Bazaar,the Achutraya temple. The monolithic statues of Lord Ganesh and Nandi, the Kodandarama temple and the Krishna temple..
The royal center is located between the Hampi Bazaar area and Kamalapuram. There are a number of tourist attractions within the walled area of the royal center. The Lotus Mahal or palace is an intricately designed pavilion within a walled compound, known as the Zenana Enclosure. This palace is a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its domed and vaulted ceiling. The Elephant quarter is adjacent to the Zenana Enclosure. It is a domed building, which housed the royal elephants. The Queen’s Bath, with its unique Islamic architecture, and the Underground Virupaksha temple are other important places to visit within the royal center.
Apart from the Hampi Bazaar and the Royal center, Anegondi is another area worth visiting. It is a fortified area north of Hampi Bazaar across the Tungabhadra River. There are a number of temples, including the hilltop “monkey temple” which offers superb views over the whole area.
Most parts of Hampi can be reached by road, but a true explorer with ample energy to travel on foot or by bicycle, will see sights of Hampi that are truly memorable.
