Stunning beauty of Hampi from Matanga Hill

Hampi... Just single word is enough for any traveler or wanderlust to get excited.

There may be any reason to travel Hampi. For some it may be religious place, for some it may be historical, for some its may be engineering or architectural marvel or just a ruin for some others. So what's your reason? Even if you don't have then don't die with regretting yourself later that you couldn't make out...

True Travelers Don't Need Any Reason To Be At.....

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Day 01 -

Once you reach to Hampi KSRTC stop you will find yourself by ruins and beautiful monuments. First thing to do in Hampi is find a stay for trip. The best way is just walk narrow lanes of Hampi bazaar near Virupaksha temple. There are ample amount of home-stays and rooms available for stay. Check rooms whether they are clean, having free WiFi, complementary breakfast or any other facilities if they have. Once you're done with stay and it's time for food and exploring.

As I had missed my breakfast so I decided to club breakfast and lunch together & go with "Brunch" at Mango tree restaurant. As soon as we entered to mango tree, we were surprised by the ambiance and the vibe. This restaurant is one of the must things to do in Hampi. 

Laxmi (elephant) at virupaksha temple blessing to tourist.
Virupaksha temple, Which is main center of pilgrimage of Hampi. This temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, form of Shiva. The gopuram of virupaksha is so tall and visible from all over Hampi. There are 3 chambers, pillered stage and temples inside temple complex. Also having secondary gopuram at south which leads to tungbhadra river. There is one small pond at right. We were lucky enough to see some water there at pond in hampi. The main temple gets close by 2 pm for 1Hr. And again it's open till 8pm. The carved pillars inside Virupaksha will definitely mark their impression on you. The beauty and vibe of temple is something you can't describe in words.


Water tank at north gate of virupaksha temple
Virupaksha temple and Hampi bazaar as seen from monolithic nandi.


"Hippie Island", it's Hippie happy place to be at. In hippie island you can find many ways to chill out (mostly illegal so try to avoid. As Walked some distance I came across paddy fields of rice and banana plantations spread in many hectors. In Hippie Island, you need bargain skills to get rental bikes/bicycle at cheap rate. I drove through narrow road with lush green fields of rice on both sides. Riding mopped was damn awesome experience for me. Soon I reached Sanapur lake and parked my mopped at lake side, large round shaped red stones spread all over which made view so beautiful. It was true bliss to spend the evening here after wandering under hot sun.

Sanapur lake during golden hour.


After coming back to Hampi (around 7 in evening) I found Swagath Food Stall. Which offers varieties of South Indian dishes with chai, coffee, milk etc. The food taste was like typical South Indian and really awesome. When you travel new place then you must communicate with locals and stall holders to understand the place.

 Day 02 -

Birds eye view of Achutraya temple and hampi monuments from Matanga hill.
Around 6 in the morning I started to hike Matanga hill and reached top in 30 minutes. Matanga hill offers magnificent view of Hampi from hilltop. This place offers 360 view of Hampi, So the same place can be visited for sunrise as well as for sunset. From Matang hill one can see monuments, tungbhadra river and whole historic land. I've seen sunrise for at least hundred times before this but I swear, the view I have seen from Matanga hill was so magical and unforgettable. Sun started to rise over tiny boulders with orange yellowish hues with little fog. The bird's eye view of Achutraya Temple is something beyond to describe in words. This grand view of Achutraya Temple will surely make you to fall in love at first sight.
There are many routes to hike Matanga hill, but two major routes should be taken for safety point of view. If you want little adventure kind of route (not that adventurous though but still) then take right from monolithic nandi and hike about 20-25 min. Second, this route having well carved and very safe stairs to climb. From second route anyone can easily reach top of Matanga hill.

A couple waiting for sunrise
Two girls enjoying post sunrise scenes and golden rays of sun 
That's me.

I came back to my home stay to get freshen up and checked out to find out better stay option. I did my breakfast at Swagath Food Stall, ordered Idli, dosa and chai. Then I met to omblesh who helps his uncle to run food stall. He offered me room at much cheaper rate than first one so I accepted that and checked in.

Puri samber and vada samber
Puri bhaji and Masala Rice
















Instead of wasting money on rental bikes or rickshaw I decided to explore everything by walking as all monuments were close to each other. 


Kadalekalu Ganesh is one of largest statue of ganesha in Hampi. Many forms for ganesha and other hindu gods are carved very precisely on pillar's of temple.

Saasivekalu ganesha, it's my personal favorite statue from Hampi monuments. It's one of major landmark in hampi ruins. Huge statue of lord ganesha(8feet) is carved out in single block of rock.

Kadavekalu ganesha
A foreign tourist clicking pic of Sassivekalu Ganesha 


























Another main attraction is at just 2 min walk distance where Badava linga and Ugra Narsimha Statues are present. If you visit early in morning then you will find priest performing aarti at this temple and you can offer flowers. The Ugra Narsimha statue is the largest statue exists in hampi monuments. Many parts of statue are damaged a lot by muslim invaders during fall of Vijayanagar. Even the statue of godness Laxmi is also missing. On the basis of facial expressions the name has been gives as Ugra Narsimha.
Framed Ugra Narsimha 

Badavlinga surrounded by water 


Beautiful carvings over walls of krishna temple
Krishna Temple, this is the must see place in hampi. This temple built in 1513 A.D. by King Krishnadevraya to celebrate the victory of eastern kingdom of Utkala (present day - Orrisa state of India). On the walls of temple the story of temple and victory of utkala is carved very beautifully. The main tower at east is under restoration and its impressive sight. The architecture and carvings will make you to get lost back to 15th and 16th century. Next to Krishna temple on other side of road Pushkarni can be visited. Pushkarni is scared water tanks made near temples and used to accommodate bathing, cleansing activities before prayers.          
            
Couple posing for #FollowMeTo at Pushkarni next to Krishna Temple.
           


Hampi is too hot even during winters and exploring every monument by just walking made me tired and sleepy. I had to visit few more temples and had had to go to watch sunset to so I ordered Masala Rice with curry, Bajiya and Lassi. For a minute I thought of giving up on my next points to covers so I can take a nap so rested a bit at riverside enjoying the sound of river, when running water collapse on tiny rocks & feeling fresh n cold air.

Hemakutta Temple Complex is a group of temples on hill at left side of Virupaksha Temple. This site offers splendid view of unique architectural temple and beautiful sunset over town. Thousands of tourist gather at Hemakutta hill to witness beauty of setting sun and enjoy the view. Don't miss the heaven view of sunset from this place.

Most photographed place on Hemkutta hill.


Tourist watching sunset over boulders at Hemakutta Hill.
A couple enjoying dreamy sunset from Hemakutta Hill.

Day 03

 As it was my last day of Hampi trip and I really didn't wanted to skip any place, so I woke up early to check out and keep my bags at Cafe. Post breakfast I visited to Achutraya Temple. This temple is little isolated as compared with any other place in Hampi, but for same reason it is less crowded. It is one of major and best monument of Hampi which one should not miss to visit. The magnificent temple is something can't be expressed in words. When I was there I completely lost in beauty of this temple and started imagining how rich and beautiful the kingdom was before!


Daniel (from Israel)  a solo traveler in frame at Achutraya temple.

On the way to Vijaya Vitthala temple you will find many other small temples and ruins which tells a story of golden days of vijayanagar kingdom and human destruction who invaded this unique art. Vijaya Vitthala temple is Hampi's most visiting places among every tourist and traveler. Entry fees to Vijaya Vitthala temple is Rs 50 for Indian citizen and Rs 500 for foreigner. Same ticket can be used at Lotus Mahal, Elephant's Stable and Museum if you are vising same day.
Vijaya Vitthala Temple, it's situated on banks of Tungabhadra river. It's one of largest and world famous temple complex. The musical pillars, incomparable architecture and stone chariot are major attractions of Vijaya Vitthala Temple. The Vijaya Vitthala Temple is grandest of all temple in Hampi. The Vijayanagar dynasty had their own set of rules which are high benchmarks for others. The Stone chariot at this temple is one of three other chariots in India. Actually this stone chariot is not built in single rock but very smartly placed one rock cuts on other, inside the carving. Currently Karnataka gov trying to reconstruct the ruins which are in very damaged state and will replace some of parts with help of local artist and historians.
Stone chariot at Vijaya vitthala temple
Found these stones at the bank of river.
Old tree and temple at Vijaya Vitthala temple complex


Magical pillars and mantapa

A view of Virupaksha temple over tungbhadra river near kondana rama temple.

To go back Hampi bazaar there are three options out of those two are short. The same route as I came via Monolithic nandi and Achutraya temple, second is though river side of tungbhadra. I took second route which was even shorter than first one, where on the way I visited Kondhanarama, Koti linga and few more ruins. After coming back I ate heavy breakfast at Swagath for last time. Around 10.30 in morning I took rickshaw to visit Royal enclosure and other temples near by. It was 15 min ride about 4-5km only and driver guided me for places to visit. I started from Underground Shiva Temple and ended on elephant stable.

Hazara Rama Temple, once it was private temple of the kings and Royal family of Viajayanagar Empire. It is smaller but very beautiful and eye catchy. The temple of walls are carved with stories of Ramayana. The fine art on pillars and temple walls will attract you a lot from distance. Inside the temple there is 4 pillars of black granite with carvings on it. For some specific reason they are used. The name of temple is given due to Hazar Rama (a thousand rama). This temple is great example of excellent art.
Devotee celebrating carved on pillar.





Story carved on temple wall at Hazara Rama Temple.















Royal enclosure : Royal Enclosure, is at just few meter from Hazara rama temple. In Royal enclosure you will find Steeped Tank, Public bath, Mahanavami Dibba, Secret chamber etc. Every place have it's own reason they have built for. Don't miss visiting stepped tank. It's unique and impressive symmetry architecture will definitely mark you an impression. One more attraction is the Lotus Mahal, which is unique architecture in middle of these monuments.
Queen's Bath, don't the actual reason behind it's name but actually this Royal bathing complex was built for King with his wives. Inside the bathing complex there is varanda with open sky pool at middle. Once it was filled with fragmented flowers in pool water. On each side multiple windows are present.


Stepped tank at Royal Enclosure
Beauty of lotus mahal
                   

Lotus mahal at Royal Enclosure.


Elephant Stable, this structure is one of less damaged monument in hampi. This is also major tourist attraction in hampi. Built as park for Royal Elephants during Vijayanagar era. The building is consist of 11 domes long and the central one is taller than others. Elephants used to tie at iron rods inside the dome. There is Guard's place named place at left of Elephant's stable, do visit this place which holds all the idols found near by hampi of vijayanagar era. After exploring whole royal enclosure are we walked back to hampi. Rested for some time at Top Secret restaurant and left hampi around 4.30pm.

Elephant Stable as seen from museum.


How to reach -

By Train - Hospet (nearest train station).

By Road - Hampi is well connected to Bangalore and all other cities of Karnataka.

Airport - Belgaum domestic airport is around 270km and on other hand Bangalore is 300km.


Budget :- For enire trip I spend around 2500RS.

Transport Solapur to Hospet (train) - 150
Same for rreturn - 150

Day 1-
Hospet to Hampi (Bus) -  20
Gauri Home stay - 700
Brunch at Mango Tree - 160(Special thali) + Thick cream Coffe 40
Ferry for Hippie and return hampi - 100 (50 for one way)
Bike rent - 250
Dinner - Masala Dosa 30, chai 20, Idali Wada 20 = 80

Day 2-
Swagath Food Stall - Dosa 25, Idali 20, Full Chai 20 =65
Swagath Stay - 500
Launch - Masala rice 40 +  Bajiya 10 + Lassi 20 = 70
Dinner - Chinese Rice 30 + Masala dosa 30 + Bajiya 20 = 80

Day 3 -
Entry fees (Vijaya Vitthala/Royal Enclosue/Museum) - 50
Breakfast - Idali wada 20, Chai 20, Biscuit 10, Masala Dosa 30 = 80
Rickshaw - 150 (Bazar to Kamalapur)
Kamalapur to Hospet Bus - 20
Dinner at Gadag Station - Dosa 30 + Paratha 30 = 60

 Total Rs. 2475 Only.

Saved around 600-1000 by not renting bike for day 2  & day 3, never used packed water bottles, avoided cafes for day 2 and day 3, used public transport whenever possible and for long distance off course trains...