 Introduction
The Vijaynagar city ruins near the village of Hampi, 353 kilometers from Bangalore, are one of the most fascinating historical sites in South India. Hampi holds many delightful surprises. The most famous is the King's Balance where kings were weighed against gold or money which was then distributed to the poor. Also worth a visit are the Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains, the two storeyed Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid Vitthal Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 meters tall monolith, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, etc. Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions, which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Pampapati temple is one of the largest temples at Hampi. The Vitthal temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagar style. Also present are some monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha which are noted for their massiveness and grace. Other temples in the surroundings are the Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra, Chandrasekhara temple and the Jaina Temple.
Tourist Information
Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 yrs. : Rs.5.00 for Royal enclosure and Vitthal Temple. Free entry on Fridays.
Access
By Rail
The nearest rail point is Hospet from where one travels another 12 kilometers by road to reach Hampi.
By Road
Regular bus services from Bangalore to Hospet.
By Air
The nearest Airport is Bellary (974 km); other convenient airports are Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km).
Best time to visit
September to February.
Where to stay?
Hampi Power GuestHouse, Tungabhadra Dam -Vaikuntha GuestHouse, Inspection Bungalow, at Hospet - Hotel Maurya Vijaynagar (KSTDC), Kamalapura - PWD Inspection Bungalow.
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