Hampi is a small village located in northern Karnataka and it is also a temple town recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Village is located in the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi is also known as Pampa-Kshetra or Kishkindha-Kshetra is derived from Pampa, the old name of Tungabhadra river on whose southern banks of the city is built. It is also one of the top tourist destination in Karnataka.
Hampi Festival , held for 3 days in November is the most important festival celebrated in Hampi. It is Conducted by the Government of Karnataka Tourism with dance, music and dramas.
Hampi Bazaar
Hampi Bazaar is a located in front of Virupaksha temple and it is also known as Virupaksha Bazaar. About a Kilometer long, the east end of the temple ends at the foothill of the Matanga Hill. Hampi Bazaar is a wonderful tourist attraction in Hampi. It was once a place where merchants used to sell precious silk clothes, jewellery, stones etc. during Vijayanagara Empire. It was also a market where cows and horses were traded.
Virupaksha Temple
Virupaksha temple or Pampavathi temple is an ancient temple located in the Hampi Bazaar in Hampi. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is one of the hallowed temple in Karnataka and it is the part of Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temple has three gopuras . A large 160-foot high tower as its main entrance facing east, a smaller second entrance tower leading to inner temple courtyard after the main gopura and another one facing north known as the Kanakagiri gopura.
Sri Krishna Temple / Bala Krishna Temple
Sri Krishna temple was built in 1513 AD by the king Krishnadevaraya. The temple was abandoned after the fall of Vijayanagara and is not used for worship at present. Krishna temple is one of the important temples in Hampi and also among the Group Monuments which is currently listed as a part of thr World Heritage Monuments by the UNESCO. The temple has the Pushkarani located on its eastern side. This is one of the few temples where the epic stories carvedon the walls of the tower.
Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex
Hemakuta temples is a cluster of ancient temples situated on the Hemakuta hill in Hampi. Hemakuta Hill is one of the top tourist places to visit in Hampi to see the sunrise and sunset. Hemakuta Hill offers beautiful view of Virupaksha temple and Hampi Bazaar.
Hemakuta hill has there entry points, one of the south, one on the eastern side and the other on the south-eastern side. More than 35 temples are located on Hemakuta Hill. These temples are built in 9th to 14th centuary AD. These temples are dedicated to lord shiva.
Mahanavami Dibba
Mahanavami Dibba or Dasara Dibba is a beautiful stone platform located in the Royal Enclosure of Hampi. It is one of the exciting structures in Hampi. It was built in 1513 AD by King Krishnadevaraya after his conquest over the kingdom of Udayagiri, present day Orissa. The grand platform was used as a stage by the kings to watch the army march-past, the war games and the royal procession that were held during the Mahanavami festival.