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Group of Monuments at Hampi

Hampi · India

Background

World Heritage since
1986
Type of site
Cultural
Vijayanagara capital
1336–1565

The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar. UNESCO says its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces that won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries, until the Deccan Muslim confederacy conquered the city in 1565 and pillaged it for six months before it was abandoned.

Hampi predates the empire, appearing in the Ramayana and the Puranas, and remains a living religious centre around the Virupaksha Temple. Capital from 1336 to 1565, it was a fortified city that Persian and Portuguese chroniclers described as prosperous and grand; Wikivoyage says diamonds were once sold in the street still marked as Pan Supaari Street, and that most sites are free, with one combined ticket for the Vittala Temple, the Lotus Mahal and the museum.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1336Hampi becomes the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire
  2. 14th–16th c.Travellers describe a city of temples and markets
  3. 1565The Deccan sultanates conquer and sack the city
  4. 1986Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Virupaksha Temple
    The living temple with its tall gopuram, and the bazaar in front of it.
  2. 2
    Vittala Temple
    The stone chariot and the musical pillars.
  3. 3
    Royal Centre
    The Lotus Mahal, the elephant stables and the stepped tank.
  4. 4
    Matanga Hill
    The boulder hill with a 360° view at sunset.
  5. 5
    Tungabhadra River
    Coracle rides in round basket boats.
  6. 6
    Across the River
    Virupapur Gaddi's rooftop cafés among boulders and paddy fields, and the climbers' boulders.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Train to Hosapete
Wikivoyage: the station is 13 km away, with overnight trains from Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Goa, cheaper and more comfortable than the tourist buses.
Bicycle or Foot
Every rock has a story; rent a bicycle and start early to cover the southern temples before the heat.
Monkeys
They snatch bags, cameras and anything loose.
Avoid April and May
The hottest months; take care climbing the boulders at any time.

Temples and Boulders

From the GoGo Hampi guide · Open the Hampi Guide ›

  1. 07:30
    Virupaksha Temple90 min
    The living temple.
  2. 09:30
    Vittala Temple and Stone Chariot2 hrs
    The musical pillars.
  3. 14:30
    Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables2.5 hrs
    The royal centre.
  4. 17:00
    Matanga Hill90 min
    Sunset over the boulders.
  5. 19:30
    South Indian Thali75 min
    On a banana leaf in Hampi Bazaar.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Jul–Aug, Oct–Dec. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Feb–May.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Sep (117 mm), driest Jan (1 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Pattadakal's temples are 99 km away, with Badami and Aihole on the same road; the churches of Goa are 275 km.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 241 · Wikipedia: Hampi · Wikivoyage: Hampi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Hampi guide · UNESCO listing