Situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi is a little yet captivating temple town limited by the interesting historical vestiges of Vijayanagara city in the province of Karnataka. With a large group of tourist spots to see in Hampi, this dreamworld made of stones, stone monuments, and remnants of antiquated buildings is a joy for visitors and subsequently is considered among the best places to visit in Karnataka. The various fascinating spots to visit in Hampi see a perpetual convergence of history-buffs, families, and photography lovers. The status of the UNESCO World Heritage Site further complements the prominence of Hampi as one of the most mainstream historical and religious places to visit in India. Here is a mini-guide of best places to visit in Hampi, Have A Look-
1. Hippie Island
Hippie Island is another wonderful place situated in Hampi that is known for its surprising magnificence. This island is also known by the name of “Virapapur Gadde”. As the island is named after an energetic culture, you can appreciate traveling here in the exuberant mood of this island. Initially, the island was named as Virapapur Gadde and is situated across the Tungabhadra River. Most of the tourists stay near this river because of the natural beauty and best experience. It takes 5-10 minutes to travel to the island via coracle and boat. This is the best tourist place among others in the city.
Best Time to Visit- October to March
Timing- 7:00 AM To 8:30 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
Time Required- 4-5 Hours
2. Elephant Stables
The Elephant Stables filled in as a walled-in area for regal elephants some time ago of the Vijayanagara Empire. Eleven domed chambers are seen here with an especially brightened one which filled in as a walled-in area for the artists during any exhibitions. It is a famous place since the days of the Vijayanagara empire. This place serves as an enclosure of elephants from the days of the Vijayanagara empire. You should visit this place to explore the culture and to know about more Indian history.
Best Time to Visit- October to March
Timing- 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- INR 40 Onwards
3. Zenana Enclosure
The Zenana Enclosure was fundamentally the Women’s Quarters. A piece of the Royal Enclosure, this was a spot particularly for the Royal ladies for example the Queen and her companions and buddies. This castle is the greatest exhuming that has been done in Hampi. The southeast corner has the Lotus Mahal. But now, it has become the most popular place among tourists. Here you can know about their lifestyles and gets more closer to Indian history and Indian culture.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the Year
Timing- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee:- INR 20 For Indians and INR 40 For Foreigners
4. Laxmi Narasimha Temple
This temple features the biggest effigy in Hampi, of Narasimha sitting on SeshaNaag i.e. the seven headed snake acting as a shelter to him. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed along with that of Narasimha. The architectural view of this place attracts many of the tourists towards it. The idol of Goddess Laxmi is also placed along with that of Narasimha. It is the best place for inner peace and to spend some time for relaxation.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
5. Old Palace
The Old Palace is located in the Anegondi and reflects Indian History very well. It is totally surrounded by forts and is very famous among tourists. The architectural view of this temple attracts most of the tourists towards it and the kingdom is also best for photography too.
Best Time to Visit:- October to March
Timing-10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
6. King’s Balance
It is an ancient 15th Century attraction that was famous for weighing the kings with the royal jewels every year on a special occasion. After weighing, the jewels were donated to the temple’s priests. The structure has unpredictably cut columns. It is made of rock and the columns bolster a stone shaft that has bands that were utilized to suspend the equalization.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
7. Hampi Utsav
Hampi Utsav is also known by the name of Vijaya Utsav and is one of the famous occasions in the Vijayanagar empire and is celebrated with lighting and happily by everyone. It is the biggest festival that was celebrated every year in Hampi and takes place in the Virushka Temple honoring the way of life, customs of the former period. With the delightfully cut remnants of Hampi filling in as the scenery, the rich culture of this area appears through people’s routine exhibitions. The Janapada Kalavahini, a show of people tunes, and the light and sound shows are special attractions that you can’t stand to miss.
Best Time to Visit:- November
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
8. Riverside Ruins
Riverside Ruins have a wonderful bunch of Shivalings cut on the level rough surface, notwithstanding a few places of worship committed to Lord Vishnu and other Hindu divinities, some of which are incompletely lowered. These ruins are now in a row of 108 Lingas and a squarish 1008 Lingasand can be recognized the whole way across the crevasse. The energy of recognizing the icons is a memorable encounter.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
9. Archaeological Museum
Another most famous tourist spot in the city is the Archaeological Museum. This governmental museum is the home of a number of artifacts, remains, and other exhibits founds during excavation. Probably you don’t want to miss this place. Have Happy Vacations.
Best Time to Visit:- October to February
Timing- 10:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
10. Monkey Temple
On the Anjaneya Hill, approximately 2 kilometers away from the Virupaksha Temple, the delightful Yantradharaka Hanuman Temple also called the Monkey Temple is available inside a cavern. The temple is 500 years old and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Sri Vyasaraja, who was the Rajaguru of the Vijayanagara Kingdom and a Dwaita scholar, was the one to introduce the symbol of Lord Hanuman in the temple. Being one of the most acclaimed attractions of the Anjeyanadri Hill, the Monkey Temple is considered a hallowed spot for all Hindus. One needs to climb 570 steps to arrive at the temple since it is situated on the hill. In spite of the fact that the trip is steep, the wonderful perspectives and the lovely air compensate for the climbing. One can also be liable to go over matured individuals scaling with vitality and dedication. There is a little temple only 5 minutes from the Yantrodharaka Temple which is devoted to a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, for example, Master Srinivasa. His venerated image has been cut out by Sri Vyasaraja. Beneath a fig tree before the Hanuman Temple lies some snakestones, and they are revered also. It is one of the must-visit places for all nature lovers.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
11. Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha sanctuary) is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi. Built during the seventh century, the delightful engineering and history of the temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is home to one of the types of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. While it is situated at present-day Hampi, it was previously a little place of worship in the old and lofty Vijayanagara realm. You will also discover excellent stone engravings going back to the seventh century on the dividers of the temple as verification of its rich legacy. It is famous for archeological and historical lovers. The temple has tall towers or gopurams going about as portals to the internal sanctums, as is generally found in the temple of south Indian style engineering. The gopurams lead to numerous internal passageways and lobbies, all improved with luxurious stonework. The models delineate fanciful accounts of various Gods and Goddesses. The principal god of the temple is Lord Virupaksha, yet it is also house to barely any other Hindu divinities as well. While numerous fans visit the sanctuary during celebration seasons like the Car Festival, it is, in any case, less swarmed. You should visit here once!
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
12. Vithala Temple
The most amazing structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple goes back to the sixteenth century and is a really awe-inspiring case of rich engineering. The well-known stone chariot, which has become a notorious image of the engineering of Hampi, is situated inside the premises of this temple. The temple is spread over an immense area. The primary entryway has a noteworthy curve with carvings and opens in an enormous patio that has the well-known stone chariot on the inside. The primary temple is found simply behind the chariot and has lovely carvings. There are additionally a few other littler temples inside the yard, which are all unquestionably worth a visit. The carvings on the dividers/mainstays of these structures delineate different divine beings in various structures.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
13. Matanga Hills
Matanga Hill offers all-encompassing perspectives on the historical ruins of Hampi and its environmental factors. In the wake of trekking up the hill for around 30 minutes, you will find Veerabhadra Temple sitting right at the highest point of Matanga Hill. This temple has a housetop, which is unarguably the best place to observe dawn and nightfall over the exquisite scene of this authentic Hampi town.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
14. Hampi Bazaar
Situated in the lower region of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the famous Hampi touring places. It is an old road extending over a kilometer and fixed with remnants of structures. Hampi Bazaar once used to have shops, cafés, and residents on its two sides. Toward one side of the Hampi Bazaar, you can locate a tremendous Nandi bull with a photo gallery on the opposite side. The rich structure before the Nandi bull sculpture plays host to the popular yearly Hampi Bazaar. In other words, the best place for shopaholics.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 6:00 AM To 11:00 PM
Time Required- 2-3 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
15. Coracle Ride
When in Hampi, you completely need to get hold of a coracle and ride in one. It is one of only a handful of scarcely any places in the country where you can get such a great experience and we guarantee that it will be a ton of fun. You can rent a coracle at extremely monetary rates and cross the rates in the ship that looks precisely like the one in former times. This is one of the most energizing experiences and activities in Hampi.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 11:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Time Required- 1-3 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
16. Anegudi Village
Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra, Anegundi town is acclaimed for the Aramane Palace Ruins, the Kamal Mahal, the Huchappayana Matha Temple, the Ranganatha sanctuary, and the Nava Brindavan. The town is more seasoned than Hampi and is viewed as a World Heritage Site. The rich culture and the excellent design of the significant landmarks make it at able fascinating for sightseers. You will definitely enjoy this place.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1 Day
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
17. Achyutraya Temple
This temple is also known by the name of Tiruvengalanatha Temple, after the fundamental divinity, a type of Lord Shiva. It has a modern architectural view with different temples of Hampi. Numerous carvings here portray legendary legends, seen on columns, dividers, and stone monument squares.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 5:00 AM To 7:00 PM
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
18. Mahanavami Dibba
This structure filled in a point of convergence from where the Vijayanagara lords administered their Kingdom. Different parts of cultured life are delineated on this gigantic structure, including a diamond studded seat. How can you miss this place? Definitely not! Hence, add it to your list now.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 30 Minutes To 1 Hour
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
19. Daroji Bear Sanctuary
Set up in 1994, this sanctuary was changed over from prickly backwoods to a lavish green region that is currently possessed by Sloth Bears. Around 120 sloth bears joined by different other natural life species like jackals, panthers, and wild hogs are found here. You will definitely enjoy this place and is an ideal destination for photography too.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- 11:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Time Required- 1-3 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
20. Big Shivlinga
Another major attraction of Hampi is Big Shivlinga. Here you will found a big Shivlinga which is 3 meters in height and is finely crafted. You will definitely feel elated after visiting this amazing place.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-2 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
21. Monolith Bull
The ride of Lord Shiva, the bull is spoken to here as a model set on a high stage. It is somewhat demolished, yet is a significant fascination inferable from its enormous size. One of the prime attractions in the city and is mostly visited by tourists every year. An ideal destination for photography too.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 15 Minutes To 30 Minutes
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
22. Sasivekalu Ganesh
Sasivekalu Ganesh has a monstrous solid sculpture of Lord Ganesha. The sculpture is more than 8 feet tall and was made in the memory of a Vijayanagara King – King Narasimha II. It is regularly connected with the legend of Ganesha when he tied a snake around his paunch when his stomach was going to blast after he had devoured a ton of food. The snake can be plainly observed around Lord Ganesha’s stomach.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-3 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
23. Queen’s Bath
A piece of the Royal Enclosure, this oceanic fenced-in area was the Royal shower during the hours of the Vijayanagar Empire. It was worked so that no outsider could enter the shower, and has lost a lot to ruins at the date. In short, another must-visit place in the city.
Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Time Required- 1-3 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
