Hampi

Hamp is an ancient village in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It’s dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagar Empire. On the south bank of the River Tungabhadra is the 7th-century Hindu Vorapaxar Temple, near the revived Hamp Bazaar. A carved stone chariot stands in front of the huge Vitali Temple site. Southeast of Hamp, Daria Bear Sanctuary is home to the Indian sloth bear. Hamp is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, midst rocky hills. It is 348 kilometers (216 mi) from Bangalore, 385 kilometers (239 mi) from Hyderabad and 266 kilometers (165 mi) from Belgaum. The closest railway station is in the city of Hosepipe (Hosket), 13 km away, and the closest airport is 32 kilometers (20 mi) Jindal Vijayanagar Airport in Monaragala, which has connections to Bengaluru.[citation needed] Overnight buses and trains also connect Hamp with Goa and Bengaluru. The principal economic activities in and around the town include agriculture, tourism and industrial activity related to iron ore, manganese and other minerals mining. The average rainfall around Hamp town is about 660 mm. The major crops grown are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, groundnut, sunflower, sugarcane and cotton. Some of the Hamp farmlands are irrigated and there is a large dam nearby.Hampi hosts, in part, a group of monuments that UNESCO has declared a world heritage site. IN and after the 1960s, the town became an attraction for motorbikes and a site for offbeat tourism when its infrastructure was in poor condition. Groups of tourists would gather on its hills and amidst its ruins to hold parties and spiritual retreats. These have been called “Hamp Hippies” and Hamp has been referred to as the “lost city” in some publications.Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. Over the next centuries it fell out of importance, and now you can explore the ruins of a lot of temples and other structures spread out over a vast area. The terrain around Hamp is as mysterious as the ruins itself – the city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes, and you can climb to the top of them with a little effort to get a stunning view of the entire city and the geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, especially the Vorapaxar Temple, dedicated to the patron deity of the empire. You can also find remains of the old aqueducts, canals and military barracks and stables here. Hamp was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and many efforts have been taken to restore the lost glory of the place – very limited (if any) modern establishments are allowed in the main area, which gives an authentic feel to the ruins. The Enchanting Ruins
Covering an area of 30 square kms, Hamp has a large number of monuments which are preserved in excellent condition. The Vorapaxar and Ithala temples are the most famous and do-not-miss monuments, but take a walk (or cycle) through the city for hours, and you’ll be happy to see a lot of less popular temples/palaces and other buildings which are equally as fascinating. Most of the ruins are located in the northern part of the city, just south of Tungabhadra river, and the rest of them are scattered all across the city.
The first settlements in Hamp date back to 1 CE. The Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edicts indicate that the region was once under Mauryan influence. A terracotta sealing and a Brahmi inscription have been recovered from the excavation site. Both belong to the 2nd century CE. The historically and architecturally dominated site has also been besieged by the Deccan Muslim Sultanate. The Vijayanagar Empire had a heavy flow of trade with Hamp being the main center. Due to this many Hindu and Muslim rulers were attracted towards the small town. Different rules and different empires have resulted in the vibrant culture of people of Hamp. The ancient town has its fame for its archaeological importance. The ruins, concert halls, bazaars, and boulders speak of the greatness of Vijayanagar Empire.Pilgrims delight and backpackers holidaying spot is rich in culture which remains unaffected by westernization in the modern-day. The culture has been restored and preserved by UNESCO as the small town has been declared as the world heritage site. The culture is a clear reflection of people’s beliefs and lifestyle. Theatrics, music, and dance are all the integrated parts of Hamp’s culture. The town has preserved concert halls where the traditional music gatherings have left their imprints. The culture of Hamp, rich and vibrant is tied to its roots. The architecture in Hamp speaks of the traits of both Hindu and Muslim architecture.Temples like Krishna Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, and Pattabhirama temple are flanked with Hindu, Muslim and Jain architecture. Religion: Hinduism in Hampi richly followed within 2 sets, first being the Saivites and the second being the Vaishnavism. The former group worships Lord Shiva, the destroyer and the latter group worships Lord Vishnu, the preserver. The minds of people are even enriched with the teachings of Jainism. The remaining lot shows faith in Islam as Hampi once was even ruled by Muslim emperors.Temples like Krishna Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, and Pattabhirama temple are flanked with Hindu, Muslim and Jain architecture. Religion: Hinduism in Hampi richly followed within 2 sets, first being the Saivites and the second being the Vaishnavites. The former group worships Lord Shiva, the destroyer and the latter group worships Lord Vishnu, the preserver. The minds of people are even enriched with the teachings of Jainism. The remaining lot shows faith in Islam as Hampi once was even ruled by Muslim emperors.Kannada is the official language of Hampi. The locals understand Hindi and a few common English words. Communication should not be a big problem as there are foreigners who have settled in Hampi after falling in love with the place. Basic knowledge of Hindi words will help you to make others understand your needs. Hampi Bazaar or Vorapaxar Bazaar Hampi Bazaar is in front of the Vorapaxar Temple. The bazaar during the ancient times was a thriving marketplace. The old pavilions on either side of the market still exist. It was once the center for flourished trade. Even though the market now has lost its luster it is famous among the tourists visiting the town. Today, it stands as an image of glorious past and encroaches with small shops and restaurants. In the bygone era, precious items such as jeweler, precious stones, and silk clothes. Today, Hampi Bazaar offers the tourists with artefacts, handicrafts, embroidered shawls, stone figurines, traditional costumes, antique coins and colourful bags. One can enjoy lovely morning strolls before the hustle-bustle of the evening market. One should buy stuff with Lambani prints as it is the specialty of the place.The Bazaar turns into a vivacious place during Hampi Utsav. It is a centre of all festive happenings. There is a huge inflow of tourists during the season of festivities.

The flea market in Hampi is a great opportunity for travelers to grab junk jeweler, cotton clothes, and leather books.