Don't "see" a place.... Smell the place...Feel the place...Touch it...Hug it and imagine how it would have been hindered of years back... And after your imagination has fully explored the place, feel the place once again...it will appear as a different place!
Instead of giving my travel-log, with this post I primarily wanted to publish all the data I gathered while planning my trip, so that it comes handy if you are planning one!
What to see in and near Hampi
Place to Visit in Hampi:
The Hampi Bazaar, 35 yards wide and nearly 800 yards long was known to be a "very beautiful street with very beautiful houses".
30 minutes plus
The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of the famous Hampi Bazaar. The temple has a 120 feet tall tower on its eastern entrance. (check closing times)
at least 1 ½ hours
Kondarama Temple
This is a functioning temple with religious importance. This is the place where Rama killed Vali and crowned Sugreeva,
Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
This is located behind but a bit uphill of the Kondarama Temple. Some steps and a paved rocky path would lead you to this temple. It would take about 15 minutes for you to reach from the Kondarama temple to Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
The temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa and Bhuvaneswari.Parts of this temple are older than the Vijayanagar kingdom itself. The work of this style dates back to the 11th or 12th century.
(a)
Nearby is the 6.7m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha. An inscription nearby states that it was hewn from a single boulder in 1528 during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya.
(b)
Badava Linga
(4) near kondaram temple
Achyutaraya Temple or Tiruvengalanatha Temple
Krishna Temple or Balakrishna Temple
This is one of the must see sites in Hampi.
This is one of the few temples with a lot of epic stories are carved on the walls of the tower and the temple.
Vithala Temple Complex : The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly the Vithala Temple Complex with its 56 musical pillars.
To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve. In front of the shrine stands the great mantapa. Resting on a richly sculpted basement, its roof is supported by huge pillars of granite, about 15 feet in height, each consisting of a central pillar surrounded by detached shafts, all cut from one single rock. House of Victory - It was built when Krishnadeva Raya came back from his victorious expedition against the King of Orissa.
Westwards from the House of Victory, leading through two ruined gates, the path leads to the Hazara ramaswamy temple.
Kings Balance where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen's Bath a swimming pool, 50 ft.long and 6 ft.deep, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two-storeyed
Lotus Mahal : shaped like a lotus flower from top, this two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.
Elephant Stables : This huge stable, a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments.
Mahanavami Dibba : The foundation of a lion story wooden structure from which the royalty viewed Hampi with pomp, colour and revelry during the Mahanadu festival. This platform has beautiful carvings.
Mustard Ganesh : This is a 9 feet tall single stone statue which is also known as Sasivikalu Ganesha.
Nobleman's Palace : This place was recently discovered and they suspect this was for aristocrats and high-ranking officials.
The Hampi Bazaar, 35 yards wide and nearly 800 yards long was known to be a "very beautiful street with very beautiful houses".
30 minutes plus
The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of the famous Hampi Bazaar. The temple has a 120 feet tall tower on its eastern entrance. (check closing times)
at least 1 ½ hours
Kondarama Temple
This is a functioning temple with religious importance. This is the place where Rama killed Vali and crowned Sugreeva,
Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
This is located behind but a bit uphill of the Kondarama Temple. Some steps and a paved rocky path would lead you to this temple. It would take about 15 minutes for you to reach from the Kondarama temple to Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
The temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa and Bhuvaneswari.Parts of this temple are older than the Vijayanagar kingdom itself. The work of this style dates back to the 11th or 12th century.
(a)
Nearby is the 6.7m tall monolith of Ugra Narasimha. An inscription nearby states that it was hewn from a single boulder in 1528 during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya.
(b)
Badava Linga
(4) near kondaram temple
Achyutaraya Temple or Tiruvengalanatha Temple
Krishna Temple or Balakrishna Temple
This is one of the must see sites in Hampi.
This is one of the few temples with a lot of epic stories are carved on the walls of the tower and the temple.
Vithala Temple Complex : The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly the Vithala Temple Complex with its 56 musical pillars.
To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve. In front of the shrine stands the great mantapa. Resting on a richly sculpted basement, its roof is supported by huge pillars of granite, about 15 feet in height, each consisting of a central pillar surrounded by detached shafts, all cut from one single rock. House of Victory - It was built when Krishnadeva Raya came back from his victorious expedition against the King of Orissa.
Westwards from the House of Victory, leading through two ruined gates, the path leads to the Hazara ramaswamy temple.
Kings Balance where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen's Bath a swimming pool, 50 ft.long and 6 ft.deep, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two-storeyed
Lotus Mahal : shaped like a lotus flower from top, this two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.
Elephant Stables : This huge stable, a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments.
Mahanavami Dibba : The foundation of a lion story wooden structure from which the royalty viewed Hampi with pomp, colour and revelry during the Mahanadu festival. This platform has beautiful carvings.
Mustard Ganesh : This is a 9 feet tall single stone statue which is also known as Sasivikalu Ganesha.
Nobleman's Palace : This place was recently discovered and they suspect this was for aristocrats and high-ranking officials.
Rough list of places:
Day 1
Hampi bazaar
· Monolithic bull
· Achyutaraya Complex
· Matanga Hill
Day 2
· Monolithic bull
· Achyutaraya Complex
· Matanga Hill
Day 2
· Virupaksha Temple
· Sasive Kalu Ganesha
· Balakrishna Temple
· Ugra Narasimha
· Badava Linga
· The Underground Temple
· Guard’s quarters
· Hazara Rama temple
· Elephent Stables
· Royal enclosure
· Mahanavami Dibba
· Mint
· Pushkarani or the Stepped Tank
· Aqueducts and Canals
· lotus mahal
· Queens Bath
· Saraswati Temple
· Octagonal bath
· Octagonal Water pavilion
· Bhima’s Gate
· Gejjala Mandapa
· Tungabhadra River
· Anegondi
· Vittala temple
· The Kings’ balance
· Sugriva's Cave
· Sasive Kalu Ganesha
· Balakrishna Temple
· Ugra Narasimha
· Badava Linga
· The Underground Temple
· Guard’s quarters
· Hazara Rama temple
· Elephent Stables
· Royal enclosure
· Mahanavami Dibba
· Mint
· Pushkarani or the Stepped Tank
· Aqueducts and Canals
· lotus mahal
· Queens Bath
· Saraswati Temple
· Octagonal bath
· Octagonal Water pavilion
· Bhima’s Gate
· Gejjala Mandapa
· Tungabhadra River
· Anegondi
· Vittala temple
· The Kings’ balance
· Sugriva's Cave
Places to visit in Badami
There is a stairway between Cave 2 and Cave 3 leading to the top of the hill and the South Fort. From there you can get a good view of Badami. East of the fort is a panel of Vishnu lying on the serpent Anantadeva (Adi Sesha). From here you can proceed east and descend to the lake.
- Banashankari temple
- Cave Temples and South Fort: There are four elaborately carved cave temples and one natural Buddhist temple. You have to walk up about 200 steps to get to them, because they are partway up a cliff. To get here from the bus stand, turn right on Station Rd. When you reach the statue of Dr Ambedkar, you turn left. Admission for foreigners Rs 100. Guides start at Rs 75 for the caves and Rs 200 for entire area. Hours dawn to when it gets dark.
- Cave 1, late 6th century, is dedicated to Lord Siva and has an excellent sculpture of Nataraja (dancing Siva) to the right of the entrance. Inside on the left is a panel of Harihara (half-Vishnu, half-Siva) and their consorts Lakshmi and Parvati. On the right is Ardhanariswara (Siva as half-man, half-woman). On the altar is a Siva-linga. This cave is about 15m (50 ft) up the hill.
- Cave 2, late 6th century, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On the left is a sculpture of Varaha (boar incarnation of Vishnu), and on the right is Vamana (dwarf incarnation). On the ceiling is a carving of Lord Vishnu riding his bird carrier, Garuda.
- Cave 3, 578 AD, has sculptures of Vishnu, Narasimha, Harihara, Trivikrama, and others. Some of the sculptures are about 3m (10 ft) high. It is the largest cave.
- Cave 4 is a Jain cave and has a statue of seated Parswanath. There are carvings of the tirthankaras both standing and sitting.
There is a stairway between Cave 2 and Cave 3 leading to the top of the hill and the South Fort. From there you can get a good view of Badami. East of the fort is a panel of Vishnu lying on the serpent Anantadeva (Adi Sesha). From here you can proceed east and descend to the lake.
Where to stay
Hotels in Badami
http://www.karnatakatourism.org/badami_where_stay.htm
http://www.karnatakaholidays.net/Html_Version/offices.htm
Ragsangam :
Badami fort :
Hotel Mookambika Deluxe Badami
Hotel Mookambika Deluxe Badami
Station Road, Opposite KSRTC Bus Stand,
Bagalkot - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220067/720637
Fax: 08357-720106
Email: mookambikabadami@sify.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 950/-
Situated on the main road it was not too far from the caves site and also had a good restaurant inhouse as well as next door too.
Hot showers, attached bath and western style toilets, telephone, room service.
no reservation by phone
Room 3 tyeps
1344 A/c delux
850 non a/c delux - first floor
650 semi delux - ground floor
KSTDC Mayura Chalukya, Badami, Karnataka
Ramadurg Road
Badami
Karnataka - 587201
India
Karnataka Hotels Badami
Ramdurg Road,
BADAMI - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220046
Shri Laxmi Vilas Hotel
Tonga Stand, Station Road,
Bagalkot - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220077
Tariff: Rs. 100/-to Rs. 300/-
http://www.karnatakatourism.org/badami_where_stay.htm
http://www.karnatakaholidays.net/Html_Version/offices.htm
Ragsangam :
Badami fort :
Hotel Mookambika Deluxe Badami
Hotel Mookambika Deluxe Badami
Station Road, Opposite KSRTC Bus Stand,
Bagalkot - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220067/720637
Fax: 08357-720106
Email: mookambikabadami@sify.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 950/-
Situated on the main road it was not too far from the caves site and also had a good restaurant inhouse as well as next door too.
Hot showers, attached bath and western style toilets, telephone, room service.
no reservation by phone
Room 3 tyeps
1344 A/c delux
850 non a/c delux - first floor
650 semi delux - ground floor
KSTDC Mayura Chalukya, Badami, Karnataka
Ramadurg Road
Badami
Karnataka - 587201
India
Karnataka Hotels Badami
Ramdurg Road,
BADAMI - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220046
Shri Laxmi Vilas Hotel
Tonga Stand, Station Road,
Bagalkot - 587 201
Tel: 08357-220077
Tariff: Rs. 100/-to Rs. 300/-
Double Room: 300 Rs
Hot water in morning: 6-9
Attached bathroom/toilets
can book by phone
Hotels in Hampi
Hot water in morning: 6-9
Attached bathroom/toilets
can book by phone
Hotels in Hampi
http://www.karnatakatourism.org/hampi_where_stay.htm
http://www.hampi.in/map.htm
Gopi Guest House
Roof Restaurant, Hampi,
Hospet Taluk,
Bellary - 583 239
Tel: 08394-241695
Email: kirangopi2002@yahoo.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- +Tax
Double Non A/c Room Rs 660 (http://www.mustseeindia.com/Hampi-hotels/budget-hotels-Hampi/Hampi-Gopi-Guest-House-990)
Padma Guest House
some really spacious rooms on the 1st floor with balconys from where you can overlook Hampi bazaar and temple.
The room prices go up or down depending on the season and it can vary from about 250 to 800 sometimes. I was lucky to pay just 250 for a double with attached bathroom and with an air cooler too. Mossie nets were there but I prefer to use the fan instead!!! None of the other places that we checked out there matched up to their standards of cleanliness or hospitality.
Padma Guest House
Near Bus Stand, Behind Govt. School,
Hampi, Bellary – 583 239
Tel: 08394-241330/31
Telephone 08394 241331
Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/-
Double Non A/c Room Rs 880 (http://book.mustseeindia.com/hotels?city=Hampi&checkin=19%2F09%2F2009&checkout=29%2F9%2F2009&adult=2&children=0&rooms=1)
http://www.hampi.in/map.htm
Gopi Guest House
Roof Restaurant, Hampi,
Hospet Taluk,
Bellary - 583 239
Tel: 08394-241695
Email: kirangopi2002@yahoo.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- +Tax
Double Non A/c Room Rs 660 (http://www.mustseeindia.com/Hampi-hotels/budget-hotels-Hampi/Hampi-Gopi-Guest-House-990)
Padma Guest House
some really spacious rooms on the 1st floor with balconys from where you can overlook Hampi bazaar and temple.
The room prices go up or down depending on the season and it can vary from about 250 to 800 sometimes. I was lucky to pay just 250 for a double with attached bathroom and with an air cooler too. Mossie nets were there but I prefer to use the fan instead!!! None of the other places that we checked out there matched up to their standards of cleanliness or hospitality.
Padma Guest House
Near Bus Stand, Behind Govt. School,
Hampi, Bellary – 583 239
Tel: 08394-241330/31
Telephone 08394 241331
Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/-
Double Non A/c Room Rs 880 (http://book.mustseeindia.com/hotels?city=Hampi&checkin=19%2F09%2F2009&checkout=29%2F9%2F2009&adult=2&children=0&rooms=1)
Food
There is a Dosa place just in front of main temple ... you will get awesome dosas there...
Name is "Shri Sangameshwar Restaurant", don't miss it.
mangoe tree restaurant : Its most famous restaurant in Hampi :)
By the banks of tungabhadra river
Mango Tree. One of the nicest, most relaxed restaurant settings you will ever come across. Set along side the banks of the river, you can lounge comfortably on the steps underneath the huge mango tree sipping some of the best lassis you will come across in India. They do a decent thali at lunch time and have a broad range of food on the menu. Its the perfect place to hideaway from the afternoon heat and zone out to the beautiful view.
Mango Tree. One of the nicest, most relaxed restaurant settings you will ever come across. Set along side the banks of the river, you can lounge comfortably on the steps underneath the huge mango tree sipping some of the best lassis you will come across in India. They do a decent thali at lunch time and have a broad range of food on the menu. Its the perfect place to hideaway from the afternoon heat and zone out to the beautiful view.
Travel Information
Hospet is nearest railway station.
Hospet > Hampi Local by Bus : Rs10
Hospet > Hampi by Auto-rickshaw : Rs100
Hospet > Hampi by Auto-rickshaw (shared) : Rs 15 per head.
These shared taxies ply between Hampi & Hospet bus station via the Kadirampura village. It takes longer than the regular Autorickhaw ride as the driver stops very now and then to pick and drop passengers. But it is comparable with the time the local bus takes and cheaper than the regular Autoricskhaw hire (Rs 100 for Hampi>Hospet). Most of your co passengers would be the local villagers, sometimes with their livestock too. Not a bad way to hit Hampi with a bang.
Pune to Hospet
VRL, one of the big private companies, (their office is next to Nataraj hotel right between Swargate and Nehru Stadium) runs buses from Pune to Hubli-Dharwad. You can go to Badami or Hospet from there (main town near Hampi). KSRTC also runs lots of overnight buses to Dharwad. I'm not sure, they might even have a direct Hospet or Badami bus nowadays what with Hampi becoming big on the national and backpacker tourist map.
An alternative route is via Solapur-Bijapur-Bagalkot-Badami-Hospet-Hampi. MSRTC has buses from Pune-Bijapur via Solapur.
Happy traveling !!
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