A brief history - Heritage Hampi was the capital city of the powerful South Indian Vijayanagar Empire. Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, it fell to the Muslim rulers of North India in 1565 after the disastrous Battle of Talikota, and subsequently lapsed into decline and abandonment. The onceproud city of victory is now a city of desolation. However, the ruins of these historical monuments have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of the grandeur of a bygone era.

Set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river 12km away from the sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary district, Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom. “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world,” marveled a 15th century Persian ambassador. There were opulent palaces, marvelous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aquaducts, pavilions, stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars. The city of victory carved in stone, that once flourished and rivaled Rome in terms of beauty, magnitude and population. Till today, each rock in the ruins speak volumes of the grandeur, and majesticity it experienced 5 centuries ago. HAMPI, the "Pompeii of India", is a dream come true for archaeologists, historians, art-lovers or tourists. Forts, Palaces, temples, sculptures, baths, Irrigation canals, bazaar ruins of a civilization belonging to the medieval era, Preserved in stone. Hampi is now recognized as a world heritage monument by UNESCO who have joined hands with the archaeological department of India for its conservation. As excavations have progressed among its ghastly ruins, Hampi unveils sector by sector a large number of palatial complexes and basements of several platforms. Interesting finds include a large number of stone images, both in round and relief, beautiful terracotta objects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces, many gold and copper coins, household utensils and, a square stepped tank. Inscribed Buddhist sculptures of 2nd and 3rd Century.A.D have also been unearthed recently. This has added a new facet to its early history. Though Hampi has in a sense survived death and desolation, which even in its present ruins, it continues to fascinate people from all walks of life. Come to Hampi, the site of fabled Vijayanagar Empire, and the most powerful 13th century kingdom and feel the vibrance in its ruins. AT HAMPI STONES SPEAK IN SILENCE.
 

This was a city whose merchants offered diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses, and, according to one Portuguese visitor, “every sort of thing on earth.” A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past.The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent ruins. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre in the southwest part of the site contains structures that seem to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. The Sacred Centre is situated on the northern edge of the city along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra river. The ruins of Hampi are extensive and fascinating enough to absorb your attention for several days. There is always something new to discover in Hampi. If you are in a hurry, a day or two will suffice to see all the important structures. Photography and archaeology buffs should plan on staying a little longer.   Hospet is the main town providing the getaway for Hampi.

The Hampi Bazaar, 35 yards wide and nearly 800 yards long was known to be a "very beautiful street with very beautiful houses".

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. 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.

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.

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 block of stone. Several of the carved pillars were attacked with such fury that they are hardly more than shapeless blocks of stones and a large portion of the central part has been destroyed utterly. Nearby is the 'Purandra Dasara Mantapa' which has been also declared a protected monument.

Westwards from the House of Victory, leading through two ruined gates, the path leads to the Hazara Ramaswami temple. This temple is believed to have been the private place of worship of the royal family. The chief attraction of the temple is the series of scenes from the Ramayana carved on two of the inside walls of the mantapa. The genesis of the place known today as Hampi dates back to the age of the Hindu epic Ramayana when it was the site of Kishkinda, a monkey kingdom.

     King's Balance
Hampi is also full of surprises: like the King's 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.

Location  
a. Nearby village/town  
b. Taluk  
c. District  
d. latitude  
e. Longitude  

Sandur (12 Km)  
Bellary  (68 Km
15⁰ - 07’ - 0’’ N  
70⁰ - 36’ - 0”  E