Hampi, India: attractions, photos and description

In various guides on the topic "India: attractions, photos and descriptions" there is a mention of the village of Hampi. Tourists, traveling alone in the country or having a rest with a group on the beaches of Goa, are tormented by doubts: is there any point to go so far as to see a village? And even the fact that Hampi is included in the UNESCO list as an object of the World Cultural Heritage, does not bring clarity. I would like more details. Well, let's start off with a virtual journey to the fabulous world of ape-like Vanars and the capital of the ancient empire. We will see underground temples and aqueducts in the jungle, amazing, as if built by the hand of a giant child, mountains. This is the world of Hampi (India). The photos will make our virtual tour more spectacular.

Natural attractions

At the entrance to the village, the first thing you pay attention to is the hills, strange as if composed of huge cobblestones. It's hard to believe that these mountains are not man-made mounds, but the whims of nature. The height of such cobblestones is 18-20 meters, and the hardness of these stones, like meteorites, fallen from space. The ancient Hindus believed that this place was built by Hanuman, the god of monkeys. This friend of Rama seemed to have brought here a piece of the great Himalayas. A scientific explanation for such a strange structure of hilly relief was found only in the twentieth century. Many millions of years ago there was a powerful release of magma from the core of the earth. Climbing to the surface, it froze, and outward emerged hardened giant pieces of rock. Already because of this one, the village of Hampi (India) could claim a worthy place in the country's list of attractions. But when you see an unusually hard "cobblestone" high with a three-story house, smoothly, like a razor, cut in half by ancient people, you do not know what to think. It's just beyond understanding. But these temples made temples, giant statues, houses, shopping arcades, aqueducts and bridges of the now abandoned city! How, by what technologies?

History of Hampi

If you believe the Indian myths, then a few thousand years ago in this place lived Vanaras - people like monkeys. It was called their kingdom Kishkindha, and where the village of Hampi is now, the capital was located. Archaeologists came to the conclusion that the village was founded much earlier than the majestic city of Vijayanagar - the very one, to the ruins of which thousands of tourists from all countries today are rushing. No one knows for sure whether monkey heads were from the inhabitants of ancient Hampi ... India is always full of mysteries and there is no rational answer to questions about being. But with the city of Vijayanagar everything is more or less clear. It was founded in the middle of the XIV century and for two hundred years played the role of the capital of the last great empire in the south of Hindustan. In the XVI century, Vijayanagar was destroyed by Islamic conquerors.

Ancient city

The small village of Hampi is located in the heart of the ruins of an ancient metropolis. Because of this, it became associated with Vajayanagara, the capital of the empire. Even in the list of UNESCO, the temple complexes and ruins of the city appear as "Monuments of Hampi (India)". In addition, the village continues to be an important religious place of worship for devout Hindus. The ancient temple of Virupaksha is still working today. Founded in 1336, Vajayanagar reached its peak of development by the middle of the 16th century. And in 1565 he, and the whole empire, was captured by Muslim sultans. The place for the construction of the capital was chosen not by accident: giant boulders served as excellent building material. And strategically ancient Vajayanagara was protected by the Tungabhadra river on one side, and from all the others - by high hills.

Hampi Historical Monuments

Muslim rulers deliberately, for religious reasons, harmed the monuments of the ancient capital. Since the Koran prohibits religious images, and the polytheism of the Hindus was revered for worshiping idols, many temples and murtis (giant statues) were destroyed. But in the XVI century there was no dynamite, so the city remained. The Islamic conquest of South India did not last long. The northern neighbor was forced to retreat, but the city's population never returned to its defiled churches. Now the village of Hampi (India) has only two thousand local residents. And in the middle of the XVI century the city had half a million people - a real megalopolis of the Middle Ages! And now the ruins of former power stretched for 26 square kilometers. Only a list of all the sights of the ancient city will take a very long time. Then you and the temple Acyutaraya, and the royal scales, and the statue of Narasimha. Reviews are advised to meet the sunset on the Matanga hill and visit the archaeological museum in Kamalapur.

Practical recommendations: how to get there

The city of Hampi (some say so, although it is a village) is located 353 km from Bangalore. The administrative center of the Hospet area lies thirteen kilometers from the village. The nearest airport is in Bellari, 75 km from Hampi. He takes planes from a larger city, Bangalore. In Hospet there is a railway station and a bus station, where transport is coming from Goa, Hyderabad and Bellary. Since the roads in India are very bumpy, the journey by train will be more convenient (a ticket from Bangalore will cost 750 rupees). From the district center to Hampi can be reached by bus. The fare is 15 rupees. But if you arrive at the railway station, you need to get to the bus station, which is one and a half kilometers away. It is much more convenient to take a tuk-tuk (about a hundred rupees).

Where to stay

Hampi map shows that most of the territory of the modern village is located on the other side of the river, in the Virupapurg area. Almost the lion's share of hotels and guesthouses is located there. You can get to the museum complex only on a motor boat (the ferry is at the local market). The cost of transportation across the river is small - only 15 rupees - but boats run only until six in the evening. If you hesitate, you'll have to ride the tuk-tuk to the nearest bridge. Such a journey of 40 km will rise to you at a nightly rate of 500-600 rupees.

How to travel around Hampi (India)

The photos represent the open-air museum as a giant site. See everything for one and even two days on your own two is simply unrealistic. If you have at least a minimum of driving skills, take the scooter for hire. Such a trip will cost you along with the used gasoline of 200 rupees. You can put behind yourself an individual guide from the local, which will show you the way to the most interesting places. At the entrance you will be offered to rent a bicycle. Note: the terrain is hilly, and the temperature lasts around +30. Another option is tuk-tuk. Agree with the rickshaw about the price immediately, discuss and the duration of its services. The usual price is about 500 rupees a day.

Excursions

Do not be afraid to learn the basics of local culture on your own. This is because India: attractions, photos and descriptions of objects are duplicated in English, so there should not be great difficulties in understanding. But if you are not sure of your capabilities, hire a better official guide from the travel agency. The cost of its services is strictly fixed: for four hours of work 500 rupees, for eight - 800. But even those of our compatriots who have a rest on Goa, have the opportunity to visit Hampi. The tour can be either one-day or two-day. The 500-kilometer-long road will be crossed by minivans or large air-conditioned buses. All the time tourists will be accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide.