It is not everyday or every month that you get a chance to explore some interesting places in the world.
You normally do it only once or twice in a year when you are planning your holiday trip with family or friends.
If you are fascinated about exploring places which has the ruins of the very interesting Indian monuments from Vijayanagar times, then you should plan your trip to Hampi, India.
There are a lot of monuments to enjoy and explore in Hampi.
This is a place in the Indian State Karnataka.
The monuments in this place have been restored and a few of them are being renovated.
Many tourists who have visited this place Hampi earlier or the people who are living in this place consider this place as the place for Cultural and Historical interests of India.
Hampi is listed one among the UNESCO World heritage sites and it is the best place to enjoy with your entire family.
There are many temples in Hampi, which belong to the 14th and 15th century of Vijayanagar Empire.
All those people who love history of India should definitely visit this place at least once in their life and you will fall in love with this place for sure.
It is always good to plan a long trip to enjoy the beauty of Hampi.
You should not miss any place in Hampi and there are many places in Hampi which will make you visit them again and again.
Best time to visit Hampi?
Hampi is a place which is full of history and this is the place which has brought a new shape to the tradition and history of India and Karnataka.
There can never be a good time to visit such interesting place in India, but if you are still looking for the ideal time to visit Hampi, then you should plan it between October to March.
This is the time when the winter season starts in Hampi and you are going to enjoy the beauty of all these monuments in the cool breeze of Hampi.
There are many festivals in the month of October and November in Hampi and it would be a treat for your eyes if you are visiting during these months.
The summer and rainy seasons are avoided for visiting this place because, the summer is going to be really hot and the rainy season is going to flood the place with water.
But if you are planning for a budget in Hampi, then you can plan the trip during the starting of these seasons.
So that you can enjoy your trip and in your budget as well.
Normally, when you are planning any holiday trip, you would wish to travel to the holiday spot at the peak time, but that can be expensive.
You can still make your trip less expensive than what it could be by planning your flight tickets and hotel bookings in advance.
This is the best way to save a lot of money in your tour to any place.Now, coming back to Hampi, you should plan your trip in the season you wish to but before that, make sure to check the things to do in Hampi.
This is another tip for making your trip less expensive and exciting.
Less expensive because you are sure about what to do when you reach there and exciting because you are already aware about what you are going to see, but not sure how it looks.
Best things to do in Hampi, India
These are my favorite things to do and beautiful places to visit on your next holiday to Hampi.
Archaeological Museum
An interesting museum located in Kamalapura, Hampi is Archaeological Museum.
This museum is very small but there are many interesting things to see and learn at this place.
This museum is said to be one of the main attractions in this place and you will get a chance to see a collection of good antiques of Karnataka.
This museum is having four galleries inside it and you should not miss any of those.
All the galleries are having something different and related to the history.
The entry to this place is allowed on all days of the week, except on Fridays.
This place is considered as one of the top places in Hampi and hence you should not miss this place at all.
Since the place is small, it is not going to take much of your time, but it is worth every second that you spend at this museum.
If you want to know more about all the exhibits of this place, then it is better to hire a guide along with you.
My favorite stuff to do in Hampi
Hanuman Ji Temple (Monkey Temple)
Hampi is having many things to see in this place which are related to the Ramayana.
One of such interesting tourist attractions in Hampi is Hanuman Ji Temple (Monkey Temple).
This place is considered as the house for Lord Hanuman and representing this fact, you will be able to see many monkeys on the hills of the temple and near the temple.
There are too many steps, they can be almost 600 plus steps to climb in order to reach the top of the temple.
Since there are so many monkeys on almost all the steps, it is going to be really fun for your kids and you as well to climb them.
You may not feel too tired while climbing, but there is a point that you should take care when you are climbing the steps and that is you should not have any food in your hands.
The monkeys may jump and grab the food from your hands, you need to be very careful when you are even drinking water.
The view from the top of the temple is going to be just amazing and you should not miss this place at all.
The temple is worth visiting and this is a place where you can feel serene and peaceful as well.
If you stay still evening, then the sunset view is also good from this point.
Fun things to do in Hampi
Vijaya Vittala Temple
Another amazing temple in the history of Hampi that you should not miss is Vijaya Vittala Temple.
The temple itself is going to be the main attraction in this place and it is located on the top of the hill.
Climbing the hill is not really easy.
There will be many people visiting the temple everyday and you also should not miss it at all.
The temple is maintained very well.
You can take a nice walk around the temple and you will love it for sure.
The designing of the temple is just awesome.
The temple belonged to the 15th century and the deity of the temple is Lord Vittala.
The pillared hall and the giant chariot of the temple are its main attractions of the temple.
Popular Hampi tourist attractions
Virupaksha Temple
Truly an amazing temple in Hampi is Virupaksha Temple.
There is another importance of this temple and that is the main deity of the Vijayanagar dynasty is Virupaksha and hence this temple is having a lot of importance.
This temple which you can see now was constructed by the Vijayanagar rulers, before that this was a very small temple and hardly people visited it.
The war of 1506, this temple has lost its major beauty and remained the same till the 19th century.
Only in the beginning of the 19th century, major renovations were done and the temple what you see now is constructed.
All the Hindu’s who live in and around Hampi, definitely visit this temple and it is considered the most powerful God in Karnataka by the Hindu’s.
People of any religion or caste are welcomed inside the temple equally.
So, do not miss the beautiful architecture of this temple.
This place is very easy to reach as well.
What else to do in Hampi?
Stepped Temple
Just one look at this place is going to make you say “WOW”.
Yes, the architecture of this place is just amazing and you will love the place for sure.
This place is inside the Royal enclosure which is the place where the rulers of Vijayanagar used to sit.
The Royal enclosure does not have much to see here, it is just a few shelters under which the rulers sit.
But when it comes to the stepped temple, it is just amazing.
You can sit on the steps and click a lot of pictures at this place.
The guard may not allow you to go inside the tank, but you can still give it a try or if you are going with any local guide, then you can ask them to request the guard when there is no too much of a crowd in this place.
Whether you get a chance to go inside the tank or not, this is a place that is really amazing and you should not miss it at any cost.
If you are going with your family, then your kids will also love this place when they see the design of the steps in such interesting manner.
Is Hampi worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
Hampi is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following beautiful Elephant stables:
Elephant Stables
This is an interesting and huge place which you should not miss.
Elephant Stables are a place where the royal elephants were kept and protected from the Sun and rain.
The place is really huge and it is going to be interesting to imagine that huge place was once upon a time used for keeping elephants.
When you imagine the hall full of elephants of different size, then it is just a fantastic view.
Outside the building, it is complete greenery and you are going to enjoy sitting in that place while your kids will enjoy playing at this place.
The building is being maintained really very well and you will understand it when you visit this place and have a look at it.
There is an entry fee to this place and it is very reasonable for you to afford.
What else to see in Hampi?
Tungabhadra River
The Tungabhadra River of Hampi is a place of interest and you will enjoy a lot while taking a walk on the shore of this river.
If you are lucky, then you will get a chance to see the elephants taking bath as this place and even the local people go swimming here in this river.
The river is really vast and the dam behind the river makes it look like an ocean than a river.
The Coracle ride on this Tungabhadra river is going to be another interesting thing to do in Hampi.
The water is not really clean, but the place is maintained well and hence it is attracting many tourists every year.
If you are planning the trip during the peak season, that means in the winter, then the river water flow is high and also you will get a chance to enjoy some beautiful birds on the shore of the river.
Popular places to visit in Hampi
Shivalinga of Hampi
There is a very huge Ugra Narasimha statue inside the paddy fields.
Many people are not aware of this Ugra Narasimha statue as that is not visible through the paddy fields.
If you are hiring a guide for your trip in Hampi, then the guide would definitely suggest you to see this real statue of Ugra Narasimha but there is another small temple near this.
The temple which is near this statue is of Lord Shiva.
You will find a very beautiful Shivalinga of Hampi at this temple.
The Shivalinga is immense inside the ground and you are going to enjoy its view.
This place Hampi is very popular for temples and the temples in this place are popular worldwide, but the list of temples that are popular worldwide does not cover just the huge temples of Hampi, a few small temples like this are also very popular in Hampi.
The height of the Shivalinga inside this temple is 6 feet tall and very attractive.
If you are not sure about how to reach this place, then it is better to hire a guide along with you.
It would be easy to reach the place and also to understand the history of the temple as well.
Things to do in Hampi with kids
Underground Temple
The Underground Temple of Hampi is very popular.
The temple’s deity is Lord Shiva and it is considered that this is one of the oldest temples of Hampi and having a lot of history associated with it.
There are many stories associated with this temple and due to those stories most part of the temple has remained in the water in most part of the year.
You will be able to see only some part of it in the Summer season.
The entry to the temple is through the tower and this tower was completed recently, as that was incomplete.
You will have stairs from the tower and following those steps, you will be taken into the underground where you can see Lord Shiva.
Outside the temple, there is a big lawn and you can sit there and relax.
This place is considered as one of the popular picnic spots in Hampi.
You can plan one complete day to spend at the temple and you can also organize a small picnic in your holiday tour.
This is going to make your trip more exciting.
Things to do around Hampi
Old Palace (Gagan Mahal)
One of the commonly visited places in Hampi and that is because this place is having a lot of history and legacy associated with it.
If you are interesting in knowing about its history, then you should definitely hire a guide along with you who is going to give you the complete story.
The Palace was constructed in the 16th century and is a very beautiful palace at one time, but now it is spoiled due to the weather conditions and turned yellow.
But the windows of this palace are still beautiful and are the most interesting and attractive part of this palace.
Must see places in Hampi
Shopping
When you are traveling to a new place, then how can you miss the most important part.
Shopping is very important when you are in a new place.
You should always try to buy something new and interesting about this place where you are going.
In fact, there are a lot of things to shop in Hampi and it is definitely going to be the best part of your trip as well.
You get many silver and bronze idols of all the temples and lords, handicrafts, books related to the Hampi temples, its history and many other things.
All women who are planning their trip to Hampi can shop a lot artificial jewelry also at this place as they are pretty cheap and you will love the latest stuff that you get at this place.
So, is there anything that you are looking for in an ideal holiday destination and is missing in Hampi.
You will be able to get everything here like good places to see, yummy food to taste, lots of things to shop and many more.
All you need to do without forgetting is clicking a lot of pictures on your entire trip, keep your camera always loaded or charged.
It is going to be a wonderful trip Hampi – a place of temples.
