THE CONFLUX OF HISTORY, NATURE, AND CULTURE

Travel lovers, travel addicts or whatever you call yourself; there are always those few places on this earth which you would love going back to again and again. And, Hampi is surely one of them. Now, who doesn't love this ever-changing beautiful place? Did you know that every time you visit Hampi, it's a completely new place you will find. Mysterious, but true. Of course, the boulders, rocks, temples and other places doesn't change their own shape or transform completely. But, there is something about the formation of the rocks, the landscape or something which is quite inexplicable. Hampi is basically a temple town in North Karnataka seething with it's rich and ancient architectural heritage.

At Nature Walkers, we believe in giving you the best of experiences and hence, Hampi is our destination for New Year 2020. Are you in? A never before experience of knowing the age-old history, culture, and stories of this ancient Vijayanagara kingdom. Also known by the name of the city of ruins, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful temples, lively street markets, and over 500 monuments. You really can't afford to miss this. It's a New Year

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF HAMPI

For this New Year we have come up with the idea of Hampi Cycle Exploration Event and that would cover riding through and knowing some of the best monuments and architecture at Hampi. And that too with a hint of backpacking and trekking. For ages, the striking ruins did attract a lot of travelers. The other structures of Vijayanagara and ruins of temples almost date back to 1500 AD. Places like Vijaya Vitthala and Virupaksha Temple, Yantrodharakha Temple, Hazari Rama Temple, Pushkarani are some of the main attractions. Your day would start with a nice breakfast, post which you would hop onto your cycles to start with your time travel journey through the ancient ruins. And yes, you would be covering all the places mentioned above.

Vijaya Vitthala Temple

This temple dates back to the 16th century and is certainly one of the most magnificent structures of Hampi. If you are aware of the famous stone chariot of Hampi, well, this is the place where you would find it. Look at it in awe, click some of the best pictures or write a long essay. The choice is completely yours. But, this monument is sure to give you some food for thought. The stone chariot to be precise is now considered as one of the most iconic structures of Hampi. Spread of a gigantic area, the main temple has beautiful carvings on the outer walls. You would also find other small temples inside the courtyard which are definitely worth a visit.

Virupaksha Temple

Popularly known as the Prasanna Virupaksha Temple it is located on the banks of Tungabhadra River. The architecture and history of this temple is something to look out for as it dates back to the 7th century. Abode to Lord Virupaksha (yet another name for Lord Shiva), it was once a much smaller temple amid the ancient city. Tall towers or gopurams act as an entrance to the inner sanctums. Intricate stonework decorates the inner and outer walls of the temple and is a delight to look at.

Yantrodharkha Temple

It is the second most important temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Hampi. Did you ever wonder how the temple got its name? Well, it's from the image of Hanuman placed inside an amulet. It is believed that the temple has been built in that same place where Lord Ram and Hanuman had met for the very first time. There are other myths as well associated with this temple. But, what attracts people to this temple is the depiction of Lord Hanuman in prayer position.

Hazari Rama Temple

An important temple in Hampi, small but beautiful, it is dedicated to Lord Rama. This temple was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family. A huge panel showing the complete story of Ramayana epic is what attracts most travelers to this temple.

Pushkarani

This is yet another breathtaking location of Hampi which you definitely can't get enough of. Pushkaranis or Sacred Water Tanks are basically stepwells and were a distinct feature of the ancient town of Hampi

Other locations which you would explore riding your cycle would be the Nandi Statue, Underground Shiva Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lotus Mahal, Elephant stable, Watch Tower and Queens Bath. All are equally amazing in their own way. Your first day of Hampi tour with end with a lovely trek till the Sunset Point.

ACTIVITIES TO DO IN HAMPI

Apart from having the most magnificent history, beautiful architecture and charming roadways that take you up to the most lovely places, there's a lot more to do at Hampi. This place is such that at every corner you would unfold a new kind of beauty. The second day of your tour at Hampi would start with a Yoga Session hosted by Guruji himself. Post having a sacred start to your morning you would be free to roam around the various other places of Hampi or try out the innumerable activities like bouldering, rock climbing, swimming in the lake and so on. Did we forget to mention the Coracle Ride in the majestic Tungabhadra river?

You can rent a coracle at absolutely reasonable rates and cross the river, take lovely pictures and make memories of a lifetime! The boulders at Hampi forms the whole landscape from hills to valleys and in fact everything there. Bouldering is one of the top activities you should definitely try out there. The boulders naturally look like structures, distinct in their own way. Climbing these rocks and boulders would give you that much-required feeling of thrill and excitement. Last but not least, explore the beautiful streetside markets of Hampi. It's a different world altogether. Climbing the Matanga and Anjaneya Hill for a lovely view of the sunset can neither be missed.

A backpacker's delight, Hampi can be well compared to a museum, but an open museum with innumerable locations to explore. Boulder strewn with sand-colored rocks, hills, and valleys, New Year at Hampi will give you memories to cherish forever.