Hampi – the Gem of Karnataka!

We have been living in Bangalore for more than 20 years now, but never had a chance to visit Hampi. It had been on our bucket list for years, but we only recently made it happen. Little did we realise that this trip would transport us back to an era when time seemed to have stood still.  As we wandered through the majestic ruins, stone-carved temples, and once-flourishing bazaars, the air whispered the grandeur of the Vijayanagara dynasty.

The giant granite boulders stacked on top of each other against the backdrop of the Tungabhadra River define the landscape of Hampi. These boulders have been formed over billions of years and create a spectacular scenery.  

Hampi is an experience of our rich cultural history and takes us back to the times of Ramayana, when it was the famous Kishkindha kingdom ruled by the monkey king Sugriva. A few months back, I had watched the documentary ‘Legends of the Ramayana’ by Amish Tripathy on the Discovery Channel, where he had beautifully traced the journey of Lord Rama. Hampi is an important landmark in this journey as it carries with it traces of history when Lord Rama and Lakshmana reached here in their search for Sita. In fact, it is believed that the giant boulders of Hampi were piled during the battle between Bali and Sugriva, who are said to have thrown stones at each other. Another saga suggests that these boulders were gathered by the monkey army to build a bridge to Lanka.

There are so many locations in Hampi that take us back to the times when the kingdom was flourishing.

The Virupaksha temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Pampa Devi, is one of the oldest functioning temples in India and dates back to the 7th century. In fact, the name Hampi is derived from ‘Pampa’. Pampa (a form of Goddess Parvati) had performed intense tapasya on Hemakuta Hill to win the love of Lord Shiva, which ultimately culminated in their wedding. Lakshmi, the temple elephant of Virupaksha, is a huge tourist attraction here. My daughter was elated to feed her bananas and get her blessings.

The Anjanadiri Hills, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanumana, is a steep and demanding climb as we ascended more than 500 steps carved into the rugged rocky terrain. The rhythmic chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ echoed all around and made the entire experience divine. The small temple on top of the hill stood as a testimony of faith and devotion. The panoramic views of the surrounding landscape were simply breathtaking.

The Vittala Temple is another important landmark famous for its huge stone chariot, musical pillars, and intricate carvings that reflect the marvellous architectural skills of that time. The Elephant stables, Lotus Mahal, and the Hazara Rama temple are all wonders of the glorious past.

We had also planned to visit Badami, which is around 150 km from Hampi. The drive was nothing short of spectacular, with the countryside looking absolutely beautiful. Lush fields, cotton farms, sleepy villages, herds of sheep, and farmers tending to their crops exuded a rustic charm. Along the edges of the road, freshly harvested cotton lay spread out to dry in the sun, forming long, cloud-like trails that shimmered in the afternoon light. Huge bullock carts rolled gracefully along the roads, adding a majestic touch to the rural landscape.

We cruised effortlessly at 120 kilometres per hour and headed straight towards Padatakkal, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient Lord Shiva temples. It was like driving straight into a postcard, the kind that captures a moment so perfect, you almost doubt if it's real. 

Nine temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and one Jain temple stand in quiet grandeur, each one a masterpiece of Chalukyan architecture. Although most of the Shiva lingams were defaced during the Mughal period, the Shiva lingam in the main structure of the Virupaksha Temple remains intact, and pooja is still performed there.

The next pit stops were the Bhutnath Temple and the Badami Caves, which stand as timeless testimonies to India’s ancient history. The Bhutnath temple is snuggled beside the Agastya Lake, and is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled among majestic hills and serene lake waters, this spot offers the perfect setting to pause, reflect, and soak in its spiritual energy. Just a short climb away are the Badami Cave temples, dating back to the 6^th century. It comprises four rock-cut temples carved in red sandstone, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Jain Tirthankaras.

This blog would be incomplete without mentioning the North Karnataka delicacies we had the pleasure of trying. The signature jolad rotti (jowar roti), paired with spicy chutneys and yengai (stuffed brinjal curry), followed by sweet obbattu (or puran poli), was a culinary experience, showcasing the region's delicious and earthy cuisine.

I truly feel that one visit is simply not enough to absorb the rich cultural history of Hampi. It is a place where all the ruins whisper stories of a glorious past of a once-magnificent empire. Hampi is a treasure - a timeless jewel nestled in the heart of Karnataka, and I look forward to visiting this place again.