Hampi, India: attractions, photos and description

In the various guidebooks on the theme of “India: sights, pictures and descriptions" of the found references about Hampi. Tourists, traveling alone across the country or vacationers from the beaches of Goa, tormented by doubts: does it make sense to go so far as to watch some sort of village? And even the fact that Hampi is included in UNESCO list as world cultural heritage, does not bring clarity. I would like more details. Well, let's do a virtual journey in the fabulous world of the APE Manarov and the capital of the ancient Empire. We will see underground temples and aqueducts of the jungle, amazing, as if built by the hand of the child-the giant mountains. It is a world of Hampi (India). Photos will make our virtual tour more spectacular.

Natural attractions

At the entrance to the village the first thing that you notice is strange, as if built of huge boulders, hills. Hard to believe that these mountains – not man-made embankment, and the whim of nature. The height of such boulders – 18-20 meters, and the hardness of these stones, like meteorites that fell from space. The ancient Hindus believed that this place was built by Hanuman, the monkey God. This each Frame if moved to this part of the great Himalayas. The scientific explanation for this strange structure of the hilly topography found only in the twentieth century. Many millions of years ago there was a powerful ejection of magma from the earth's core. Rising to the surface, she froze, and out flew a giant hardened pieces of rock. Already because of this village is Hampi (India) could claim a worthy place in the list of attractions of the country. But when I see extremely hard “stone” a three-story-tall, smooth like a razor, cut in half by ancient people, I don't know what to think. It's just beyond comprehension. And because of these stones were made temples, giant statues, houses, shopping arcades, aqueducts and bridges now abandoned city! Like, what are the technologies?

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History Hampi

According to Indian mythology, it is still several thousand years in this place lived unary – people like monkeys. Called their Kingdom Kishkindha, and where is now the village of Hampi, was the capital. Archaeologists came to the conclusion that the settlement was established much earlier than the magnificent city of Vijayanagar – the one, the ruins of which today thousands of tourists from all countries. No one knows for sure whether the monkey head with the inhabitants of ancient Hampi… India is always full of mysteries and there is no rational answer to questions about Genesis. But with the city of Vijayanagar is more or less clear. It was founded in the middle of the XIV century and for two hundred years played the role of capital of the last great Empire in the South of the Indian subcontinent. In the sixteenth century Vijayanagar was destroyed by the Islamic invaders.

The Ancient city

The Small village of Hampi located in the heart of the ruins of the ancient metropolis. Because of this, she became associated with Vijayanagara – the capital of the Empire. Even in the list of UNESCO world heritage temple complexes and ruins of the city are listed as “the Monuments of Hampi (India)”. In addition, the village continues to be for devout Hindus important religious place of worship. The ancient Virupaksha temple is still in effect today. Founded in 1336, Vijayanagara reached its peak of development by the middle of the XVI century. But in 1565 it, and the whole Empire, captured the Muslim sultans. The place for the building of the capital was not chosen by chance: giant boulders served as an excellent building material. And strategically the ancient Vijayanagara was protected by the river Tungabhadra on the one hand, and all the rest – high hills.

Historic monuments of Hampi

The Muslim rulers deliberately for religious reasons, has caused damage to the monuments of the ancient capital. Since the Koran forbids religious images, and the polytheism of the Hindus venerated for the worship of idols, many temples and Murti (giant statues) were destroyed. But in the sixteenth century there was no dynamite, so the city remained. The Islamic conquest of South India was short-lived. The neighbor to the North was forced to retreat, but the city's population never returned to their desecrated temples. Now the village of Hampi (India) has only two thousand local residents. And in the middle of the XVI century, the city had half the population – the metropolis of the middle ages! And now ruins is situated on 26 square kilometers. Only a list of all the attractions of the ancient city will take a very long time. Then you and the temple Achyutaraya, and the king's scales, and the statue of narsimha. Reviews recommend to meet the sunset on the hill Matanga and visit the archeological Museum in Kamalapura.

Practical advice: how to get

Hampi (some think so, although it village) is located 353 km from Bangalore. Administrative center of the district Hospet lies thirteen kilometers from the village. The nearest airport is in Bellary, 75 km from Hampi. It takes the planes from the larger city of Bangalore. In Hospet has a railway station and bus stationwhere the transport arrives from Goa, Hyderabad and Bellary. Since roads in India are very bumpy, the journey by train is more convenient (ticket from Bangalore will cost 750 rupees). From the district center to Hampi can be reached by bus. The fare in it – 15 rupees. But if you arrive at the railway station, you need to get to the bus station which is a mile away. Much easier to take a tuk-tuk (about a hundred rupees).

Where to stay

Map of Hampi and shows that a large part of the territory of the modern village is located on the other side of the river, in the district of Viluppuram. Virtually the lion's share of hotels and guesthouses located there. To get to the Museum complex is possible only by motor boat (ferry is from the local market). The cost of the ferry across the river a small – just 15 rupees – but the boats run only until six in the evening. If you linger, will have to go by tuk-tuk to the nearest bridge. Such a journey is 40 km will get you through the night rate of 500-600 rupees.

How to get around Hampi (India)

Photos represent the Museum under the open sky as a giant Playground. To view all for one and even two days on foot is simply unrealistic. If you have at least minimal driving skills, take a scooter rental. This trip will cost you together with used gasoline in 200 rupees. You can put yourself back an individual guide from a local who will guide you to the most interesting places. At the entrance you will be asked to rent a bike. Note: the area is hilly, and the day temperature is kept around +30. Another option – a tuk-tuk. Negotiate with a rickshaw about the price immediately, we will also discuss the duration of his services. Regular price – about 500 rupees a day.

Sightseeing

Do Not be afraid yourself to comprehend the basics of the local culture. This is India: sights, pictures and descriptions of the objects are duplicated in English, so a lot of difficulties in understanding should arise. But if you are not confident in your abilities, hire the best official tour guide of a travel Agency. The cost of his services is strictly fixed: in four hours of work 500 rupees, eight – 800. But even those of our compatriots who spend their holidays in Goa, have the opportunity to visit Hampi. The tour can be both single-and two-day. Road length of 500 km will be overcome by vans or large buses with air conditioning. All tourists will be accompanied by Russian-speaking guide.