One of the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites in Karnataka is known as Hampi. This is an ancient village that is located in the northern part of the state and was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. This amazing village is now an attraction for history buffs and archaeologists. if you want to understand and witness the rich history as well as the well-preserved ruins of the bygone era, visiting Hampi would be a great decision.
Apart from all the historic significance, Hampi is also known to offer some of the most thrilling activities to all the visitors. It is also a very important and active holiday destination for families and solo travelers. So here are some of the most amazing activities that can be done in Hampi on your next trip to the village.
Here are some of the best things to do in Hampi:
1. Explore the Hampi Bazaar
In the vibrant village of Hampi, you get a chaotic Bazaar that goes with the name of this place. The Hampi Bazaar is well-known for clothes, jewelry, and antiques that people can buy as a souvenir. This place was once a residential area for all the nobles in the bygone era. There are multiple things other than the ones that we have mentioned above that Hampi Bazaar offers to all its visitors.
While taking a stroll through the market you can also witness the ancient structures and their impeccable designs. At times there are multiple locations where you can see ongoing cultural activities. If you wish you can be a part of that as well.
Location | Hampi main village, Karnataka |
Famous for | Jewelry, Clothes, Antiques |
Visiting Hours | 6 am to 11 pm |
2. Visit the Virupaksha Temple
One of the most important places to visit in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is supposed to be built during the seventh century in Hampi. This is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites that you get to see in India. Lord Virupaksha is also known by the name of Bom Parvathi and that is the main deity Of this temple. The entire temple complex houses two more important shrines and they are of Vidyaranya and Bhuvaneswari.
The temple is intriguingly designed to perfection and is surrounded by three towers. The main temple has nine stories which make the entire structure about 50 m tall. It is believed that this temple was built in the 15th century. Nonetheless, Visiting this temple is one of the most important things to do in Hampi.
Location | Hampi, Karnataka |
Timings | 6 am to 7 pm |
Entry Fee | INR 50 for the still camera |
3. Hike to Matanga Hill
Going for a hike to Matanga Hill is one of the best things to do in Hampi. This summit is one of the top five places to visit in Hampi because of the panoramic view it has on offer. The summit of this hell is also known to be the highest point of Hampi and a paradise for trekkers and hikers. It not only provides a spectacular view of the entire village but also gives you a peaceful environment to relax and enjoy some time.
If you want to go on a trekking spree then the best time to visit here is during the sunrise or the sunset. You get a beautiful view of the entire surroundings of this village from a bird eye angle.
4. Explore the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire
Hampi is a very important historic destination of India that speaks for its past. The entire village is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River and is known to be one of the oldest surviving places in the country. It is believed that the Vijaynagar Empire built this entire place between the 14th and 16th centuries and Hampi was a prosperous place throughout the centuries.
Hampi was known to be a hub for art and culture. In today’s world, we can see the emphatic past of this place. Exploring the ruins of Hampi is one of the best things to do in this place.
5. Visit the Royal Enclosure
Although you will find a lot of ruins in the entire Hampi village, there is nothing more intriguing or exciting than the Royal enclosure. This place is known to be the epitome of amazing sides. The Royal Enclosure is a massive and stunning-looking building that has a huge fortified area. The entire complex is spread over 59,000 m² and was once the home to kings and queens of the Vijayanagara Era.
There are approximately 43 buildings in the Royal enclosure and in today’s time, you get several significant artefacts. Visiting here can be a treat to your eyes and knowledge because you will get to know and see a lot of new things throughout your visit.
Distance from the village | 2.6 km (approximately) |
Total time to explore | 2 hours (approximately) |
Opening Hours | 8 am to 6 pm |
Best time to visit | November to March |
6. Go rock climbing
It won’t be wrong to say that rock climbing in Hampi is one of the most thrilling and popular activities to do. Hampi is one of those places where you find a lot of boulders and rocks scattered around that makes it more fun to enjoy climbing them. Other than that the landscape of Hampi is quite good for getting this activity into motion.
Climbing the rocks At multiple places can be highly thrilling and you will surely love to do it if You Are an adventure seeker. You can also visit a lot of places where you will find a lot of uniqueness in Hampi. If you are visiting here during December or any winter month you will surely enjoy this activity to its most.
Conclusion
The list of things to do in Hampi is quite extensive and you have a long list of such activities. The above-given activities are just a handful of many that are offered here in the beautiful village of Hampi. Be it visiting here with friends, family, or alone, you are sure to get the most amazing things in your way.
See Also: Things to do in Coorg | Things to do in Ooty