Overview of Temples in Hampi
The Temples in Hampi is a city of ruins. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 14th to the 17th centuries, Hampi was the capital of the South Indian Vijayanagara Empire. Vijayanagara was one of India’s largest Hindu empires. Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) was the greatest ruler of peninsular India, controlling almost the entire peninsula south of the Tungabhadra River.
(Image Credit: Karnataka Temples)
Temples in Hampi
- Virupaksha Temple – Has a location in the Hampi Bazaar area. The 7th-century Virupaksha Temple, also known as the Pampapathi temple, is one of the town’s ancient monuments and the most important in Hampi. Beautiful stone inscriptions from ancient times around the 7th century illustrate the temple’s long and famous history.
- Hemakuta Hill – Located in the south of the Virupaksha temple, it is home to ancient ruins and monolithic sculptures of Lord Narasimha, who has the appearance of Lord Vishnu, and Jain temples. Hemakuta Hill provides an excellent view of Hampi Bazaar.
- Vittal Temple – Vithala Temple, the World Heritage, also known as the Hampi Temple, is a unique structure in the city and dates back to the 16th century. The world-famous stone chariot, kept in this temple in Hampi, has become an iconic symbol of the region’s architectural heritage.
- Achyutaraya Temple – It is also known as Hampi’s Tiruvengalanatha Temple. In comparison to the other temples of Hampi, it has a more modern architectural style. Many carvings represent mythical stories on the site’s pillars, walls, and stones.
- The Hazara Rama Temple – Located in the heart of the Royal Centre, was a place of worship for the Royals. Due to its historical significance, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. The interior and exterior walls of the complex have intricate carvings and ornamentation. Compared to Hampi’s other temples, this one is a little smaller. It is one of Karnataka’s most famous filming locations, and for a good reason: it is stunning. Every photograph taken here is a frame that preserves the beauty of this magnificent monument, which visitors will remember for a lifetime.
- Kodanda Rama Temple – It dedicates to the Hindu god Lord Rama. The temple’s inner sanctum has enormous idols of Lord Rama, his beloved wife Sita, and his brother Laxmana. The temple has a location near the river Tungabhadra.
- Sri Krishna Temple – The Krishna Temple in Hampi is notable for its unique architecture. This temple was built in 1513 A.D. by Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya.
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – The temple is for Lord Narasimha, one of Lord Vishnu’s ten avatars, and Goddess Lakshmi. As a result, it is known as the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. The sculpture has a height of 6.7 meters. It is one of the finest existing examples of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
(Image Credit: Karnataka Temples)
Interesting Facts
- Hampi’s original name was Pampa-Kshetra, after the Hindu God Pampa (another name for Goddess Parvati).
- Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and it was also India’s most prosperous city at the time, attracting merchants from Persia and Portugal.
- Before the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, the main street selling diamonds and other precious stones was Pan Supari Street. A visitor can still see the exact location of Pan Supari Street in Hampi, marked with a board by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- The Hampi region is part of the Dharwar Craton. A craton is a rare area of land that has been unaffected by volcanic or tectonic movements for many years.
- Enter the Vittala temple complex’s gates and proceed to the temple with musical pillars, also known as the SARE GAMA pillars.
- Hampi in Karnataka is well-known for the Purandara Festival. This annual festival is held in January-February in the temple called Vittal in celebration of the birth anniversary of the Purandar medieval poet-composer.
Best Time to Visit Hampi
The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March.
How to Reach Hampi?
- By Rail – Hampi does not have a Railway station. The closest railhead is Hospet, which is 13 km from the ruins of Hampi. Thus, travelers use Hospet as a base to begin their journey to Hampi.
- By Road – The central bus station in Hampi is located in the Hampi Bazaar area.
Conclusion
The Temples in Hampi are well worth at least one visit. The area is a stunning place to spend a few days wandering around and discovering the rich, vibrant history while also having a bit of ‘your’ time.
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