Hampi/Hampe

In more ways than one Hampi, the capital of ancient Vijayanagara kingdom is the epicentre of Karnataka tourism. Amidst the captivating ruins of Hampi you get a first hand insight of the architectural perfection of 14th century India. The entire landscape of Hampi is an interesting juxtaposition of large monuments and boulders. In other words, Hampi is a place that needs to be seen to be believed.

Many pilgrims and backpackers crave for a travel to Hampi village in Karnataka (India). Surrounded by majestic hills and lush valleys, the village offers you a pleasing view of more than 500 monuments of different types. Its surrounding regions are dotted with temples, ancient aquatic structures, palaces, bastions, regal platforms and pavilions. The list is undoubtedly endless and as you move closer to this pristine destination, you would realize that the surprises it has in store for you are truly magnificent.

Hampi is located in the central part of Karnataka. Once upon a time, it was the capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, which dominated a large part of south India after the Mughals faded away. Today the mighty capital lies in ruins as though intrigued in the splendid past.
A stunning landscape strewn with rocky outcrops and gigantic granite boulders hemmed in lush greenery greet you as you travel to Hampi. On the bank of the river Tungabhadra, the town lies deserted. Once the river was the lifeline of the empire.

You do not have any activity here. Stark quietness of the ruins bring alive a time of Indian history would cast a spell as you travel to Hampi.

How to Reach Hampi:

The cost to travel totally depends upon the mode of transport you select. You can reach Hampi by using any one of the following modes of transport - aircraft, train, car and bus. The nearest airport is 143 km away from Hampi and is located in Hubli. Taking a flight from Mumbai, Bangalore or Goa could be both time consuming and expensive.

Reaching Hampi by train is a far better option as it's not only cheap but also comfortable. Hospet, the nearest railway station is 13 km from Hampi. Overnight trains are aplenty running several times in a week from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. There are also overnight trains from Mysore to Hubli and from Hubli to Hospet or Hampi. A 2 tier AC train with bed linen costs Rs. 750 from Bangalore to Hampi.

A rickshaw from Hospet to Hampi is a convenient mode of transportation costing Rs. 80 to 120. However, buses plying from Hospet station to Hampi are a much cheaper option. A rickshaw from the station to the bus stand will cost Rs. 5 per head and from there several government buses are available at frequent intervals for Hampi and that costs Rs. 17 per head.