There was always a traveller in me wanting to go out and never realized it before I went for my first trek. My first trek made me realize that how much i was missing from life . There is so much around us to learn and feel . So here is the brief desciption of my first trek to hampi.
One of my friend who is a trek organizer invited me to join on hampi trip . I RSVP'ed for it to try out the trek and it turned out to be an awesome experience .
So here is the brief description i read about the place which got me all excited and curious to visit it :
Hampi is the destroyed capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Located amidst a beautiful setting of small hills such as Matunga and Rishyamuka, the river Tungabhadra flows ferociously through the town. Hampi is glorified by the patronage of its kings to art and architecture. Housing the greatest talents of the time, the city grew extensively to become the capital of South India under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya. The city hosted numerous temples and buildings that spreaded over a radius of over 10km. Although the city is now in ruins, it is wonderful to visualize the wonderful empire located in a unique Deccan setting of hills, boulders, farms, forest and a river.
Well so we started for hospet by bus from MGBS bus station(hyd) and reached there on 23 july EARLY morning around 4 am. After a wonderful ride in auto to Hampi we reached our base and started a quest to Matunga Hills. Cool Early morning breeze and beautiful natural settings made it all the more fun.Seeing the sunrise from Hill top was like a dose to the eyes which are tired of missing it in city life .
After the sunrise , we began our way back to lodge to refresh and get ready for our tryst with the history of hampi. We hired the cycles and refuelled ourselves with heavy brunch .
Our First stop was the museum in hampi showcasing the tools and statues of vijaynagar times . since all of us were driving bycycles for the first time so didn't know we will make so many stops to reach our first place .
The museum was not that much fun for us who were looking forward to more adventure so we quickly wind up there and headed to the other ruins on our way. After visiting few small ruins of temple and watch towers, we entered the Hazararama Temple in royal zone.The temple is known for its sculpted friezes depicting the Ramayana, in three tiers, running all around the main shrine, and the narrative sculptures of the Lava-Kusha story on the Devi shrine.We moved on to see Zenana Enclosure and Queen's Palace, Band tower, watch tower , queen's bath ,Elephant Stables, Guards Quarters and other small places and was trying to imagine the life of that place during vijayanagara empire. One beauty I can't miss upon is a Lotus Mahal , a beautiful little two-storey pavilion, situated within the 'Zenana' Enclosure, is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture .The Royal Enclosure was indeed majestic . this fortified area is scattered with a number of interesting relics, including the Mahanavami Dibba, the King's Audience Hall and a huge stepped tank.
Finally, On our way back , we visited the krishna and ganesha temple and returned our cycles. all worn out and hungry , we reached Mango tree ( a divine place for diner's at hampi) . Walking through the pathway light up by fireflies and sitting near the banks of tungabhadra , it was a mystic experience. we ordered an insane no of dishes and ate insane amount of food and thanks to the hospitality and rustic feeling you get in mango tree ( a never to miss place in Hampi ).
After sleeping barely for 3 hours , we got up next day at 3 am to visit the remaining places. We started with achyutaraya temple and Vittala temple. We saw the famous stone chariot at vittala temple and ruins of bazaars . We crossed tungabhadra river by a coracle ride , its a small circular boat , to reach anjaneya temple (the birth place of lord hanuman) . Coracle ride was the most fun part of the trip . Still can't help laughing at the scary expressions we had when we sat in it.
One of my friend who is a trek organizer invited me to join on hampi trip . I RSVP'ed for it to try out the trek and it turned out to be an awesome experience .
So here is the brief description i read about the place which got me all excited and curious to visit it :
Hampi is the destroyed capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Located amidst a beautiful setting of small hills such as Matunga and Rishyamuka, the river Tungabhadra flows ferociously through the town. Hampi is glorified by the patronage of its kings to art and architecture. Housing the greatest talents of the time, the city grew extensively to become the capital of South India under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya. The city hosted numerous temples and buildings that spreaded over a radius of over 10km. Although the city is now in ruins, it is wonderful to visualize the wonderful empire located in a unique Deccan setting of hills, boulders, farms, forest and a river.
Well so we started for hospet by bus from MGBS bus station(hyd) and reached there on 23 july EARLY morning around 4 am. After a wonderful ride in auto to Hampi we reached our base and started a quest to Matunga Hills. Cool Early morning breeze and beautiful natural settings made it all the more fun.Seeing the sunrise from Hill top was like a dose to the eyes which are tired of missing it in city life .
After the sunrise , we began our way back to lodge to refresh and get ready for our tryst with the history of hampi. We hired the cycles and refuelled ourselves with heavy brunch .
Our First stop was the museum in hampi showcasing the tools and statues of vijaynagar times . since all of us were driving bycycles for the first time so didn't know we will make so many stops to reach our first place .
The museum was not that much fun for us who were looking forward to more adventure so we quickly wind up there and headed to the other ruins on our way. After visiting few small ruins of temple and watch towers, we entered the Hazararama Temple in royal zone.The temple is known for its sculpted friezes depicting the Ramayana, in three tiers, running all around the main shrine, and the narrative sculptures of the Lava-Kusha story on the Devi shrine.We moved on to see Zenana Enclosure and Queen's Palace, Band tower, watch tower , queen's bath ,Elephant Stables, Guards Quarters and other small places and was trying to imagine the life of that place during vijayanagara empire. One beauty I can't miss upon is a Lotus Mahal , a beautiful little two-storey pavilion, situated within the 'Zenana' Enclosure, is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture .The Royal Enclosure was indeed majestic . this fortified area is scattered with a number of interesting relics, including the Mahanavami Dibba, the King's Audience Hall and a huge stepped tank.
Finally, On our way back , we visited the krishna and ganesha temple and returned our cycles. all worn out and hungry , we reached Mango tree ( a divine place for diner's at hampi) . Walking through the pathway light up by fireflies and sitting near the banks of tungabhadra , it was a mystic experience. we ordered an insane no of dishes and ate insane amount of food and thanks to the hospitality and rustic feeling you get in mango tree ( a never to miss place in Hampi ).
After sleeping barely for 3 hours , we got up next day at 3 am to visit the remaining places. We started with achyutaraya temple and Vittala temple. We saw the famous stone chariot at vittala temple and ruins of bazaars . We crossed tungabhadra river by a coracle ride , its a small circular boat , to reach anjaneya temple (the birth place of lord hanuman) . Coracle ride was the most fun part of the trip . Still can't help laughing at the scary expressions we had when we sat in it.
Back after climbing 573 steps of temple , we came back to visit Virupaksha temple and shop around in the hampi bazaar. I m glad that i brought a few brass items to cherish and remind me of hampi forever. Finally , the time came to bid adieu to the wonderful trip and return back to hyderabad.
Each stone and wall in hampi has its own history to tell . Make sure you get a glimpse of yourself in 15 century by seeing all the architectural beauty around Hampi . ADIOS HAMPI !!
