Holiday in Hampi

The world's largest open air museum - Hampi is a place where past comes alive. Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire and its ruins have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of regal splendour. Whispering winds, magnificent ruins and traces of a bygone era all linger fresh here. Amidst a boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Thungabhadra river, Hampi was one of the glittering showpeices of India's might in the 15th century and a major tourist destination in Karnataka today with the opulent palaces, temples, fortifications and elephant stables.

Amongst the many attractions in Hampi major ones are The Virupaksha Temple, Dedicated to Shiva and Pampadevi, the only temple here still in use. The temple with the nine storied gopuram towers over the structures of Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mandapa is beautifully painted with stories of epic and puranas. Two ganesha images Sasuvekalu and kadalekalu can be seen on the Hemakuta hill.

Lakshminarasimha the man lion form of Vishnu on a serpant is an awesome monolitic structure which is near the Badavilinga a 3m high monolitic Shivling which stands permanently in water. The stepped water tank, Pushkarni was originally a part of the palace complex. The tiered structure crafted out of rectangular peices of granite is quite beautiful. The elephant stables is an imposing edifice with arched entrances and many domes that housed the state elephants.

Lotus mahal is a visually appealing structure with two levels, a open pavilion and an open balcony. The mahal derives its name from its beautifully arranged cusped arches that resembles the petals of a lotus. The Vijaya Vithala temple is the crowning glory of Hampi. With a magnificent stone chariot and an impressive rangamandapa with its 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.

The Hazara Rama temple, Mahanavami Dibba, and the queens bath are other structures worth a vist during your trip to Hampi.

Hampi from Bangalore is about 315 Km .