Hampi in 27 hours
Hampi is in my to visit list for almost a decade⏳. Though it is not quite far from where I stay, it is not too close for a day visit and definitely not a place which can be explored completely in one day. However, none of us could take a day off and we had to make it a weekend trip with a stop in Davanagere. Needless to say we did miss lot of places😪, but managed to visit the most important sights.
We started from Bangalore early hours of a Saturday (around 2 AM🥴) and, after few hours halt at Davanagere, reached Hampi around 3 PM. Since most places close by dusk, we thought of doing some sightseeing instead of checking into the hotel🏃.
We visited Virupaksha temple first and from there walked up the rocks surrounding the temple. 2 Ganesha temples are located there. One of them have Ganesha statue on a open platform with no walls and only pillars - we couldn't realize it is a temple from a distance and didn't visit . Other one have statue inside the temple and is quite big, also grayish white in color.
I think the names are Sasivekalu and Kadalekalu Ganesha temples respectively.
It was a very sunny day and we were exhausted after day long journey and walk up the rocks in scorching sun☀️. There are quite a few sights right next to Virupaksha temple, however we did not have energy to walk back and called our cab to meet us on the other side🥵.
Still not ready to call it a day, we went to Krishna temple. It was quite empty that time of the day and the main temple was closed - couldn't quite recollect if we went after closing time or there is some restoration work going on🤔.
Opposite to the temple is Bazaar street (or what's left of it). There are not many people over there and nothing much to see either🧐.
From there we thought of going to queen’s bath before turning in. However, it was past 5:30 pm and the gentlemen at ticket counter suggested it is not worth venturing in with less than half hour left to the closing time. So, we decided to get much needed sleep 🛏 😴 and start fresh the next day. The search for the B&B we booked took longer than we thought - after lots of turns and twists, host found us on her way to home and guided us through the route.
Despite the difficulty in locating the place, we are quite content with the lodging situation. Rooms are quite clean and spacious, freshly prepared homemade meal is a welcome sight after a long day of near starvation🤩. We were extremely exhausted and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.
We woke up well rested to a bright and sunny day 🌄.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we started our day and whenever sightseeing starts so early, I end up in a museum mostly during first half of the day. In this occasion, Hampi archaeological museum became our first stop.
It is a well maintained museum, but I feel like the entire city is one. The story of the restoration is explained in text, and pieces which couldn't be used in the process are displayed.
From there we went to the complex where Queen's bath and few other prominent archaeological sites are located.
The queen's bath is a lovely structure with a semi out-door pool surrounded by a corridor and few seating areas. Probably where the Royals changed and relaxed.
We did a short photo shoot before heading out to King's seat or that is what I think it is called.
From a distance it seemed like a simple structure, but as we drew closer we could see intricate carvings.
We could climb up to the platform - it didn't seem too high at the beginning, the climb is not too easy. It's not so difficult either - I have a fear of heights and didn't find the climb uncomfortable.
Our next stop is the one of the famous land marks of Hampi - the Stepped tank👏.
To our major disappointment, getting near the steps is not allowed - not sure if it is for our safety or the monument's. On the brighter side, we could take some nice pictures without flocks of tourists getting in the way📷.
Then we headed towards Lotus Mahal - one of the few structures in Hampi which is not destroyed. A cute and compact stone structure which provided much needed shelter in the scorching climate😎. Apparently this is the place queen spent a lot of time and king held his council.
It don't have any walls, a rock platform with lots of pillars like a mantap in Hindu temples.
Right next to the Lotus Mahal is elephants stables. From the look of it, quite a few elephants seemed to lodge here🐘.
The structure is divided into chambers big enough for the mighty animals and their ample meals.
By now, it is way past noon and we were eager to get to the Vijaya Vittala temple🕛.
However we couldn't pass away from this beautiful temple nearby - if my memory serves right, it is the famous Hazara Rama temple.
Midway after noon, we reached the Vijaya Vittala temple - it is quite a distance from the main road and private vehicles are not allowed. Thankfully there is a shuttle service with decent frequency.
It was a nice ride up to the temple - in fact I enjoyed the ride more than the temple itself😍.
Vijaya Vittala temple needs no introduction to archaeological enthusiasts with its musical pillars and the stone chariot (modeled after the stone chariat in Konark sun temple, Odissa). Few years ago, tour guides used to demonstrate functioning of musical pillars to tourists, even letting them try. However, to prevent further damage, visitors no longer have such access😣.
We spent a while in the temple and we were very exhausted by then. However, there is one place I badly wanted to visit, which is located near the temple but not very easy to find.
On the way we came across the King's balance.
This is where kings used to weigh themselves against gold which they used to donate⚖️.
Almost at the verge of giving up, I found the place I was searching for - Purandaradasa Mantapa.
This is the place which inspired the famous poet and, it is believed that he composed his songs here📝. It, most definitely, is the highlight of the trip for me.
Due to the time constraint, we were confined only to the part of town where most famous structures are located. However, on the other side of the banks of TungaBhadra, there are few interesting places like sunset views and camping sites, we didn't get to see😞. Like my host in Skye said - leave some for next visit, it is one way to make sure you return🤓.
We started from Bangalore early hours of a Saturday (around 2 AM🥴) and, after few hours halt at Davanagere, reached Hampi around 3 PM. Since most places close by dusk, we thought of doing some sightseeing instead of checking into the hotel🏃.
We visited Virupaksha temple first and from there walked up the rocks surrounding the temple. 2 Ganesha temples are located there. One of them have Ganesha statue on a open platform with no walls and only pillars - we couldn't realize it is a temple from a distance and didn't visit . Other one have statue inside the temple and is quite big, also grayish white in color.
I think the names are Sasivekalu and Kadalekalu Ganesha temples respectively.
It was a very sunny day and we were exhausted after day long journey and walk up the rocks in scorching sun☀️. There are quite a few sights right next to Virupaksha temple, however we did not have energy to walk back and called our cab to meet us on the other side🥵.
Still not ready to call it a day, we went to Krishna temple. It was quite empty that time of the day and the main temple was closed - couldn't quite recollect if we went after closing time or there is some restoration work going on🤔.
Opposite to the temple is Bazaar street (or what's left of it). There are not many people over there and nothing much to see either🧐.
From there we thought of going to queen’s bath before turning in. However, it was past 5:30 pm and the gentlemen at ticket counter suggested it is not worth venturing in with less than half hour left to the closing time. So, we decided to get much needed sleep 🛏 😴 and start fresh the next day. The search for the B&B we booked took longer than we thought - after lots of turns and twists, host found us on her way to home and guided us through the route.
Despite the difficulty in locating the place, we are quite content with the lodging situation. Rooms are quite clean and spacious, freshly prepared homemade meal is a welcome sight after a long day of near starvation🤩. We were extremely exhausted and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.
We woke up well rested to a bright and sunny day 🌄.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we started our day and whenever sightseeing starts so early, I end up in a museum mostly during first half of the day. In this occasion, Hampi archaeological museum became our first stop.
It is a well maintained museum, but I feel like the entire city is one. The story of the restoration is explained in text, and pieces which couldn't be used in the process are displayed.
From there we went to the complex where Queen's bath and few other prominent archaeological sites are located.
The queen's bath is a lovely structure with a semi out-door pool surrounded by a corridor and few seating areas. Probably where the Royals changed and relaxed.
We did a short photo shoot before heading out to King's seat or that is what I think it is called.
From a distance it seemed like a simple structure, but as we drew closer we could see intricate carvings.
We could climb up to the platform - it didn't seem too high at the beginning, the climb is not too easy. It's not so difficult either - I have a fear of heights and didn't find the climb uncomfortable.
Our next stop is the one of the famous land marks of Hampi - the Stepped tank👏.
To our major disappointment, getting near the steps is not allowed - not sure if it is for our safety or the monument's. On the brighter side, we could take some nice pictures without flocks of tourists getting in the way📷.
Then we headed towards Lotus Mahal - one of the few structures in Hampi which is not destroyed. A cute and compact stone structure which provided much needed shelter in the scorching climate😎. Apparently this is the place queen spent a lot of time and king held his council.
It don't have any walls, a rock platform with lots of pillars like a mantap in Hindu temples.
Right next to the Lotus Mahal is elephants stables. From the look of it, quite a few elephants seemed to lodge here🐘.
The structure is divided into chambers big enough for the mighty animals and their ample meals.
By now, it is way past noon and we were eager to get to the Vijaya Vittala temple🕛.
However we couldn't pass away from this beautiful temple nearby - if my memory serves right, it is the famous Hazara Rama temple.
Midway after noon, we reached the Vijaya Vittala temple - it is quite a distance from the main road and private vehicles are not allowed. Thankfully there is a shuttle service with decent frequency.
It was a nice ride up to the temple - in fact I enjoyed the ride more than the temple itself😍.
Vijaya Vittala temple needs no introduction to archaeological enthusiasts with its musical pillars and the stone chariot (modeled after the stone chariat in Konark sun temple, Odissa). Few years ago, tour guides used to demonstrate functioning of musical pillars to tourists, even letting them try. However, to prevent further damage, visitors no longer have such access😣.
We spent a while in the temple and we were very exhausted by then. However, there is one place I badly wanted to visit, which is located near the temple but not very easy to find.
On the way we came across the King's balance.
This is where kings used to weigh themselves against gold which they used to donate⚖️.
Almost at the verge of giving up, I found the place I was searching for - Purandaradasa Mantapa.
This is the place which inspired the famous poet and, it is believed that he composed his songs here📝. It, most definitely, is the highlight of the trip for me.
Due to the time constraint, we were confined only to the part of town where most famous structures are located. However, on the other side of the banks of TungaBhadra, there are few interesting places like sunset views and camping sites, we didn't get to see😞. Like my host in Skye said - leave some for next visit, it is one way to make sure you return🤓.
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