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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Hampi Tourism, Karnataka, India









UNESCO World Heritage Tourist sites:




Group of Monuments at Hampi :


The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar.

Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned.

Karnataka is a state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines. The capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife.

To the southwest, Mysore is home to lavish temples including Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s maharajas.

Hampi, once the medieval Vijayanagara empire’s capital, contains ruins of Hindu temples, elephant stables and a stone chariot.

Hampi :

1. Founders: Bukka Raya I
2. Hampi :  A Village in India
3. Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka, India.
4. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. 
    The name Hampi can also mean "champion".



UNESCO World Heritage : A Journey Back in Time - Hampi Tourism, Karnataka - Indian Heritage - Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, Hampi has spread 36sq Km, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.


Places to See in Hampi :


Tourist attractions in Hampi lie in its boulder-laden landscape and rocky outcrop hemmed in a lush green surrounding. The ruins remind you of a mighty empire, which dominated large part of south India after the Mughals.

1. Hampi Bazaar

Located near the Virupaksha Temple, the Hampi Bazaar is also known as Virupaksha Bazaar. On either sides of this one kilometer long street near the temple, are pavilions which were once a part of the markets of the nobles.

2. Matanga Hill

Matanga hill is a well known tourist destination in Hampi. Its main attraction being the breathtaking aerial view of the Hampi landscape during sunset or sunrise.
Matanga hill is historically connected to the epic Ramayana as it was the hiding place for Sugriva, the ruler of Kishkinda.

3. Vithala Temple Complex

A unique architectural masterpiece, Vithala temple in Hampi is situated opposite to the village of Anegondi. The temple is named after Vithala, an avatar of Vishnu worshipped by the Marathas. Vithala temple is built in the form of a complex with compound wall and gateway towers.

The one thing that immediately catches attention is the stone chariot which has assumed iconic heights over the years for Karnataka tourism.

The pillared halls are intrinsically carved with sculptures that speak volumes about the glorious past of Hampi. Another feature that is worth mentioning here is the musical pillars that emanates the seven notes when tapped.

4. Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama temple complex in Hampi is located in the middle of the Royal Centre and was once used as a place of worship by the royal family members.

5. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple :

This giant monolithic statue of the man-lion god is the largest icon in Hampi. Narasimha is depicted in a cross-legged seated position.

The Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Hampi attracts tourists specifically due to its monolithic structure and the sheer enormity of its size. It is the single largest statue in Hampi with a height of 6.7 meters.

Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is depicted as sitting on the giant coil of the celestial snake Adisesha.

The seven heads of the giant snake shielding Narasimha, arched by a Kirtimukha Torana in the front, is an architectural masterpiece in itself. By entering inside the enclosure, one can see the land of Lakshmi on Narasimha's back with her fingers, nails and rings, all beautifully sculptured.

6. Virupaksha Temple

Amidst the ruins of the ancient city Vijaynagar the Virupaksha temple stands tall with all its earlier structures still intact.

The temple personifies Lord Shiva and is still used for worship.
Virupaksha portrays Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in their various avatars. The chariot festival is celebrated in the premises of this temple during the month of February.


And Many More To see.

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