“If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi.”
Hampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury buildings and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a delight. Hampi is an open museum and a favourite way to see the city from the perspective of its history.
History and Culture
The foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire was laid in Hampi in 1336 A.D, making it the capital of the largest empire in post-mogul India. It later became famous for its support towards renovation/reconstruction of temples re-establishment of Indian culture, its support for music, art and literature throughout India. Today the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur and fabulous wealth, palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of men of infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction.
Interesting Facts
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The pillars at Vithala Temple create melodic sounds when tapped delicately. The most intriguing thing is that the columns are constructed using stones. The melodic mainstays of Vithala Temple are also called SAREGAMA pillars.
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There is an interesting tactic that the artists of those times followed to cut these gigantic stones and changed them into bits of art pieces in that old age.
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The primary historical record of settlement in Hampi goes back to 1st Century. Evidence shows that the district of Hampi was under the governor of Ashokan Kingdom amid the third century BC.
Climate
The winter season (October to February) is the best time to visit Hampi. However, Hampi is mostly moderate and dry throughout the year. The weather remains moderately cool except for peak afternoons but mostly perfect for exploring the World Heritage Site.
- October - February
