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FeatureTravelIndia

Hampi, the ruined capital that rewards slow travel

Boulders, temples and the Tungabhadra river: why the old Vijayanagara capital is best seen on foot, over several days.

By Rational Times Travel Hampi · · 1 min read
The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi, Karnataka.
The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi, Karnataka.Photo: Apadegal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the great kingdoms of medieval South India. Today its ruins are scattered across a landscape of giant granite boulders along the Tungabhadra river, and the Group of Monuments at Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see

  • Virupaksha Temple, still an active place of worship at the heart of the old bazaar.
  • The Vittala Temple complex, home to the famous stone chariot.
  • The Royal Enclosure, with its stepped tank and platforms.

How to see it

Give it time. The site is large and the best light comes early and late in the day. Walk or cycle between clusters, carry water, and respect the temples that are still in use.

HampiHeritageKarnatakaTravelUNESCO

Sources

  1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Group of Monuments at Hampi
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