Top Things to Do in the Hampi | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Hampi

Mahanavami Dibba

Like most other buildings in Hampi, the Mahanavami Dibba was built during the Vijayanagara Empire and it was erected to symbolize the victory of the empire over Udayagiri. This stone platform was also where the king of the Vijayanagara empire used to celebrate the festival of Dussehra. This structure served as a focal point from where the Vijayanagara kings ruled their Kingdom. Various aspects of courtly life are depicted on this huge structure, including a gem-studded throne. The site has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to ensure that the site gets the proper care it deserves. Read More

Situated just a kilometre from the main bus stand in Hampi, Matanga Hill is known to be the highest point of Hampi and therefore is one of the best places to see a bird's eye view of Hampi. This hill is described as the location of the hermitage of the Saint Matanga in the Ramayana, hence is appropriately named. The trek to the top of the hillock is a popular route amongst both locals and tourists alike.

The Yeduru Basavanna is a huge monolithic sculpture of a bull that is found in Hampi. The significance of the bull arises from the fact that the bull was the mode of transport that Lord Shiva took according to the Ramayana. Found towards the east end of the Virupaksha Bazaar, the sculpture is widely known for its massive stature. The sculpture is known to be over 500 years old and is amongst the most widely visited tourist attractions in Hampi. Read More

The Old Palace, also known as Gagan Palace, is surrounded by a fort and is in ruins as of today. It used to be the residence of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire and it is located in Anegondi. The building now serves to be the local administrations' building in Hampi. Built during the 16th century, this beautiful building, much like most others in Hampi was also destroyed during the Mughal raids of 1565 when Hampi fell to the Mughal invaders. The building is more than 500 years old and today, unfortunately, most of it lies in ruins but still remains a popular tourist attraction. Read More

Queen's Bath

A part of the Royal Enclosure, this aquatic enclosure was the Royal bath during the times of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was built in such a way that no outsiders could enter the bath. Over 500 years old, the Royal Bath continues to draw tourists to it and is famous for its intricately designed balconies and other features. A notable design feature of the Royal Bath is that it has no ceiling and it is open to the elements. Today, however, the complex has lost most of its sheen and after it came under attack during the Mughal raids that led to Hampi's downfall. A well-manicured lawn space can be found just in front of the bathing complex and this is presently used by many for picnics and is a great place to unwind. Read More

The Riverside Ruins are a splendid cluster of Shivalings carved on a flat rocky surface, in addition to several shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other Hindu deities, some of which are partially submerged. These ruins are in a row of 108 lingas and a sqaurish 1008 lingas and can be spotted all across the gorge.

Hampi is always full of rock climbers who are climbing up the boulders with their crashpads around. The landscape is ideal for rock climbing and bouldering since there are granite crags and boulders all around. Bolting is limited, so carry a crash pad along. Hampi is well-known as India's hub for bouldering and rock climbing. Climbing these ancient boulders amidst the famous ruins of Hampi is sure to be a surreal experience and one that is unique to Hampi. Hemakuta Hill, Matanga Hill, and the areas around Tiruvengalantha Temple offer the best rock climbing spots. December is the best time to visit Hampi for rock climbing as the temperatures hover around 30 Celsius as the rest of the year it can get quite hot. Read More

Sasivekalu Ganesh has a gigantic monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha. The statue is over 8 feet tall and was created in the memory of a Vijayanagara King - King Narasimha II. It is often associated with the legend of Ganesha when he tied a snake around his belly when his stomach was about to burst after he had consumed a lot of food. The snake can be clearly seen around Lord Ganesha's belly.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha temple) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is abode to one of the forms of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. While it is located at present-day Hampi, it was once a smaller shrine in the middle of the ancient and majestic Vijayanagara empire. You will find beautiful stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century on the walls of the temple as proof of its rich heritage. Architecture-lovers and history-buffs, do visit the temple when you are in Hampi! The temple has tall towers or gopurams acting as gateways to the inner sanctums, as is usually seen in temples of south Indian style architecture. The gopurams lead to many inner corridors and halls, all decorated with ornate stone-work. The sculptures depict mythological stories of numerous Gods and Goddesses. The main deity of the temple is Lord Virupaksha, but it is also abode to few other Hindu deities too. While many devotees visit the temple during festival seasons like the Car Festival, it is otherwise less crowded. Read More

The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple. The temple complex is spread over a huge area. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. The main temple is located just behind the chariot and has beautiful carvings. There are also several other smaller temples inside the courtyard, all of which are definitely worth a visit. The carvings on the walls/pillars of these structures depict various gods in different forms. Read More