Hampi is a city of rock beauty. There are many temples, sculptures, statues and great stone carvings.
This is a must-visit place for everyone. This is a famous tourist attraction not only in India but also all over the world. You can find foreign tourists here throughout the year.
King Krishnadevaraya is mainly responsible for building these temples. The temples and the statues in them are more than 500 years old. The city has a great history associated with it, but the saddest part is that many of the monuments are damaged and statues have been either stolen or lost.
Famous Temples of Hampi
The Virupaksha Temple is located at the entrance of Hampi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Everyday, puja is performed from 7 AM to 8 PM. The gopuram of the temple is the main attraction, and it looks like a 3D projection. From wherever you see the temple, you can find the 3D projections of the stone carvings and statues. There is also an elephant named Lakshmi present near the entrance greeting the visitors.
Another main tourist attraction is the Vitthala Temple. The temple is quite big, and you can find a stone chariot at the entrance. My friend and I went in the evening during the closing time, 6 o’clock. The chariot, going by the name 'Golden Chariot', shines golden during the sunset, and we were lucky enough to get to see that beautiful scene. You can also find musical pillars in the temple mandapam. It is said that the pillars resonate with music when we sing or play instruments in the mandapam.
The temple is located underground, and even after so many years the temple is still intact without much damage. You can find the place surrounded by water inside the temple where there is a small Shivalingam and a big Nandi statue.
The outer portion of the temple is surrounded by lush green grass and trees.
Next to the Narasimha statue, you can find a big Shivalingam. The statue is surrounded by water and is sealed. No one is allowed to touch or go near the statue. However, you can click pictures from the outside. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave darshan to a poor woman here, and hence the temple is called as the Badavalinga Temple (Badava means poor in Kannada). The temple has become deteriorated over time, and now we have only the statue in place.
Hazara Rama Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, and you can find lot of carvings on the walls depicting the Ramayana. The carvings are beautiful and detailed. If you know the story of Ramayana, you can relate to them easily. You can also find many guides explaining the story to the visitors.
There is one other famous temple: the Monkey Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Since it was on the top of hill, we were not able to visit as we did not have much time.
Other famous monuments in Hampi
Next to the Narasimha statue, you can find a big Shivalingam. The statue is surrounded by water and is sealed. No one is allowed to touch or go near the statue. However, you can click pictures from the outside. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave darshan to a poor woman here, and hence the temple is called as the Badavalinga Temple (Badava means poor in Kannada). The temple has become deteriorated over time, and now we have only the statue in place.
Hazara Rama Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, and you can find lot of carvings on the walls depicting the Ramayana. The carvings are beautiful and detailed. If you know the story of Ramayana, you can relate to them easily. You can also find many guides explaining the story to the visitors.
There is one other famous temple: the Monkey Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Since it was on the top of hill, we were not able to visit as we did not have much time.
The food in every restaurant is delicious. You can find a lot of restaurants, hotels and guest houses. Each restaurant offers unique varieties of dishes.
You get Russian, Israeli, Continental, Italian, French and Indian breakfasts. The staff are very friendly and helpful. You might find the rates to be a little high since it is a tourist destination, but the food and hospitality are worth every penny spent. The ambience in each and every hotel is also great and unique.
Other famous monuments in Hampi
The food in every restaurant is delicious. You can find a lot of restaurants, hotels and guest houses. Each restaurant offers unique varieties of dishes.
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