What to See on Your Holiday to Hampi
Hampi is a small town in the state of Karnataka, India. It is also known as “the Group of Monuments at Hampi” and is one of the most mysterious places in all of India. This area has been untouched by modernization, leaving it with intact natural beauty that has left visitors awestruck. Hiking and exploring along the riverbanks or through the ruins themselves are popular activities for those who come to explore this region. There are plenty more things to see if you have some time on your hands- from caving to fishing, there’s something for everyone!
The history of Hampi
Hampi was originally established by the Vijaynagara Empire of Southern India between 1336 – 1565. The name Hampi is derived from an ancient Hindu temple.
The presence of Portuguese traders and missionaries contributed to the decline of Hampi in the 16th century.
It was an epicenter of religious activity with many Hindu temples and shrines that were in the area.
Hampi was the capital of which empire?
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Hampi, a quaint town by any objective measure, was once a bustling multicultural hub with people from across Asia leaving modern footprints in their time here. UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi is critically important because it embodies India’s complex history and extraordinary diversity with its monuments, ruins, and temple complexes set amid vast expanses of idyllic natural scenery.
Visuals:
- Hampi at dusk;
- Temple weeding at Bijjala’s Palace;
- Ardha-Narishwara Temple which depicts various Hindu myths on its outer walls.
Note: some temples were long closed to visitors due to safety issues and will be reopening after renovation is complete sooner than 2020
Who discovered Hampi?
Hampi was discovered by Hampa Nagaraja Urs in 1336 when he founded the Vijayanagara Kingdom. This city would be an important military outpost for centuries, but due to its location in areas subject to earthquakes, it would eventually be abandoned.
The site of Hampi is one of India’s most significant historic narrative symbols that represents both religious and imperial themes in stone carvings and landscape. It has drawn hundreds of thousands of international visitors per year, who come with hope to see this heritage site which also holds a special place on the UNESCO list as a World Heritage Site.
In spite of being hit by major floods after heavy rains, Hampi continues to fascinate travelers from around the world with its spectacular historical
Where is Hampi located?
Hampi is located in southern India. Near the city of Bellary in Karnataka State. The reasons to visit Hampi are varied but must include the ruins themselves. This site has many monuments over acres upon acres over archaeology combined with nature – so you can be both serene and stimulated by natural sights.
Largest city of Karnataka and its natural attractions and historical monuments
In India, Hampi is the second largest city of Karnataka and is famous for its beaches, scenic beauty, and for tea. With a population of nearly six million people, Hampi is one of the leading tourism destinations in the country. The city of Hampi was originally a small village and has evolved into one of the major cities of Karnataka with a lot of destinations to explore. Travelers from across the globe visit this destination to enjoy its natural attractions and historical monuments.
Hampi beaches, wildlife, lakes, and seafront resorts
Apart from the beaches, wildlife, lakes, and seafront resorts, there are many other tourist destinations in Hampi that can be explored on your holiday to this state. Some of the most popular ones include places like Ambaon, Bommasandra, Chinnaswamy, Kaveri, Kengeri, Kothaguda, Konark, and Lakshmi Narayan.
Hampi has a lot of varieties of beaches, featuring white sand, black sand, soft sands, and some are very lush. The white sands offer you different experiences that you may not be able to find elsewhere in the world. Many tourists love to go kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming to enjoy the view of the serene white sands.
Hampi is also home to a lot of churches and monuments that add to the glamour of the destination. Some of the most famous monuments are Srirangam and Vembanad, which are situated in the northern part of the city.
Hampi has the seven largest tea gardens
Famous for its tea plantation, the city of Hampi has the seven largest tea gardens. Visit these gardens during your travel to this destination and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of tea drinking. Hampi is a cultural hotspot with historical significance, and the seven largest tea gardens in India are all found there.
There are remarkable ruins at Hampi, suggesting that this town was an important one historically. The Mughals left a legacy of architecture here as well, so it’s more than just the local history that makes this site worth exploring. It is believed to have been a market city on which business activities from international trade contributed considerably to its wealth and were reflected by bountiful temples and water tanks built during those times. Today, these Mughal monuments comprise one-fifth of the total number of Black-and-White monuments that dot Hampi – no wonder it has been rated as a top tourist destination
Trekking activity in Hampi
Trekking is another interesting activity that you can do in Hampi. For those who are interested in nature and peace, trekking will surely bring a lot of experiences. Tram tours also allow you to experience the luxury of seeing the rich forest life, deep forests, and breathtaking views from the trestle footbridge.
Tourist destinations in Hampi
Apart from all the major tourist destinations in Hampi, there are also a lot of popular heritage sites that are located near the city of Bangalore. Some of the highlights of these locations include the
- Sevanti PKR Museum : For those interested, the village of Hampi is about 2 hours away from Vidyanagar. It’s worth taking some time to see some of its iconic ruins, so consider making time for a visit. The Sevanti PKR Museum is both centrally located and affordable. The staff are warm and welcoming–which is something you only appreciate on your way out when you’re always on the go! The artists themselves have probably seen more displays than anyone else, so they will remember sales that took place long ago. Both artists’ work are available for purchase or just browsing during museum hours.”
- Museum of Natural History : One of the world’s best, and one of the reasons why this ancient temple town is top-notch for wildlife viewing. The ancient history of Hampi reveals that it was once an important trading center. Various historic structures are beautifully preserved in the landscape. The large number of boulders in Hampi suggests thousands were lifted by man or nature to create these structures, many dating back more than 1000 years ago. Drawn from Vishnu Temple carvings, Hindu temples are free admission, encouraging all tourists explore them without fee.” Wide windows at Hotel Amritha Varsha provide sweeping views over serene blue waters frothing just below. Sunsets often seem even more extraordinary when glimpsed over fields being tended by
- Hampi Fort : The Hampi Fort was an important defense site during the Vijayanagara Empire. It is believed by some that the fort may have been constructed in response to access military threats from another nearby empire, or to contain rebellions by nearby vassal states. The Hampi region has a long and illustrious history of Hindu and Buddhist empires in India, and due to its strategic importance between two rivers (Tungabhadra and Harijana), it was often fought over in battles for control of India. The Kharezmian dynasty is thought to be responsible for building this fort on top of preexisting ruins after gaining power around 1300 CE.
- Hermannthala Cultural Centre : The Hermannthal Gallery houses a collection of more than one hundred traditional Aboriginal paintings, some dating back to the 1930s. It is an intimate space that welcomes visitors into the remote urns of Mount Hermannthala through its picture windows. Visitors are encouraged to explore the urn’s pathways with animated paintings depicting scenes from life in 1938 when it was recorded by naturalists Ronald and Catherine Berndt during their stay at Mt. Hermannthala in August 1938. Visitors have opportunity to interact with artists engaged in experiential activities where they can feel, feel part of and see what they observe on screen or canvas before them. There are also professional demonstrations that outline the steps taken by artists in the creation of their works.
Green tea is a regional specialty of this destination and is available at almost every tea plantation. You can also try the famous freshly roasted green tea that is also one of the famous travel destinations.
Famous touristic spots in Hampi is the Lake Ashok
One of the most famous touristic spots in Hampi is Lake Ashok, where you can enjoy the many water sports and explore the place. During your trip to this destination, you can also try many interesting golf courses and adventure sports such as paragliding, canoeing, mountain biking, and kayaking.
Hampi Gondola rides
The city of Hampi is also famous for the gondola rides that are also available for your enjoyment. These rides take you up to the top of a tall tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire city.
Holidays to this destination are also ideal for backpackers who want to experience sightseeing without having to spend a fortune on accommodation. You can enjoy your holidays in Hampi by exploring the local markets and visiting places that will be very memorable for you.