HAMPI: AN ENCHANTING SYMPHONY IN STONE

It is ideal to begin exploring Hampi by first visiting the imposing Vijaya Vithala Temple which dates back to the 15th century. It is a visual symphony created out of stone.

- R L Morris

Are you looking for a destination that takes you back in time, offering a visual treat with a dash of spirituality? Then pack your bags and head for Hampi in Karnataka. The capital of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi was once a magnificent metropolis that rivalled other capitals in the 16th century. Though devoid of its original splendour, the remains of this city carved in rock have enough charm to leave you bedazzled. Nestled on the bank of the Tungabhadra River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an open-air museum strewn with more than 1,000 monuments spanning 41.5 square kilometres.

Walking amid the ruins itself is a journey back in time that will leave you speechless. Imagine the splendour of the city before its invasion by the forces of the Deccan Muslim Sultanates. No wonder travellers such as Domingo Paes waxed eloquently on the magnificence of the edifices dotting Hampi. From every nook and cranny history and architectural splendour cast furtive glances at travellers. After the downfall of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and the pillaging by the victorious armies, Hampi was left in ruins and it was pretty much obscure until the 1880s when it was accidentally spotted by Colin Mackenzie, a British surveyor working for the East India Company. Later excavations unearthed what we see today.

Hampi’s Best-kept Secret