” If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi”
When you first set foot in Hampi, the sound of the temple bells at a distance and the rustle of the flowing river and the huge towering rock greet you. Hampi is place stuck in time, when you get there you can’t help but move back into time. Life here is simple and slow, all of a sudden your mind..tunes to a higher vibration of peace and a profound calmness grips you and all the hustle bustel of the city modern existance..material comforts…. all forgotten.
Hampi is located on the banks on River Tungabadra and is popularly known today was the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara which meant Victory. In Hampi at every turn there is a surprise. Every monument hides more than what they reveal.
Hampi is charismatic even in its ruined state. Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. Among them are beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings.., the list is practically endless. Hampi is a backpackers paradise.
Hampi is about 460 Kilometers from Hyderabad, 830 kilometers from Mumbai, 320 kilometers from Goa and 320 kilometers from Bangalore.
There are multiple options to reach Hampi. The closestest town is Hospet with is well connected to Hampi with a lot of state run buses, autos and taxies. If you are taking a train or bus your train connection should be to Hosepet. KSRTC runs buses from various towns and cities to Hosepet. You can book your bus tickets to Hosepet here.
Hosepet is well connected by train. You can book your tickets here. The code is for Hosepet is HPT. The best way to get to Hosepet by air is to take a flight to Bangalore and take a bus to Hosepet from there.
Hampi is a short bus ride from Hosepet and the buses are well maintained and cheap. You can also take an auto from Hosepet and usually costs anywhere from INR 100 – 150.
Hampi has lots of guest houses to stay. Most of the locals have run guest houses and little food joints. Stay at Hampi is not too expensive, Guest houses with attached baths and hot water cost between INR 400-600.
One can rent out cycles or bikes to travel around Hampi. This is ideal as it gives you freedom to do things per
your comfort. It cost apprx INR 50 to rent out cycles and INR 150 to rent out bikes. There are no gas stations in Hampi. The closest gas station is on the outskirts of Hosept. However petrol is sold by the people who rent bikes and is little more expensive that a gas station.
The places one must not miss and my personal favorites are Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Hampi Bazaar, the Queen’s palace, Stepped tank, Narsimhaswamy statue, Hazara Rama temple and the Royal Elephant stables. Also one must do the Coracle ride on the river Tungabadra
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