I was itching to dive right into the Hampi experience, armed with my crash course in history, mythology, and theology, all centred around this mystical place. I’m about to sprinkle some story dust that’ll make you see Hampi in a whole new light. And don’t worry, I’ll keep it short and snappy. Stick around, folks!
Kingdom of Kishkindha
In the epic saga of Ramayana, there were these two brothers, Vali and Sugriva, part of the Vanara race (yeah, the “Monkey Men”). They founded this legendary kingdom, Kishkindha, just across the Tungabhadra River, in a present-day fortress town called Anegundi (5 kms. from present day Hampi).
Now, Sugriva, thinking his elder bro Vali had died after a nasty fight with a Rakshasa (that’s a devil, by the way), took over the throne. But surprise, surprise—Vali comes back from the dead! He accuses Sugriva of deceit and treachery and kicks him out of the kingdom. Ram, who wasn’t too thrilled with Vali’s shenanigans. He offers to help Sugriva out if Sugriva helps him find his kidnapped wife, Sita by demon king, Ravana. Long story short, Ram shoots Vali with an arrow during a brotherly showdown.
There are few monuments scattered around Hampi that tell the tale of Ramayana. Ram and his younger brother, Lakshman, hung out in Hampi for over four months, as the Vanara’s tracked down Sita. And according to local folklore, Hanuman, Ram’s ardent devotee and a divine Vanara, was born on Anjaneya Hill in Hampi. It’s no wonder Hampi’s is a revered place for Hindus.
We’ll unravel more mythological yarns as we trot around this divine town, I mean, Kingdom of Kishkindha.
Vijayanagara Empire
The Hoysala Empire (present day – State of Karnataka) collapsed when Muhammad bin Tughlaq came barging in. Harihara and his younger bro, Bukka, were like, “Hold my chai, we’re starting our own thing!” So, they whipped up the Vijayanagara Empire right here in Hampi, around the early 13th century. Legend has it that Harihara was a senior warrior in the Hoysala army and stationed around Hampi when Hoysala Empire fell.
Fast forward 200 years, and Hampi’s blown up into this mega city with like half a million folks, thanks to the Vijayanagara rulers. They were all about promoting intellectual, artsy, architectural, religious, and trade life. But hey, good times don’t last forever, right? The Vijayanagara Empire was playing armed conflict with Muslim Sultanates for ages, and in 1565, they got tagged out by the Mughals in a brutal battle. The Empire got trashed and burned for six months straight. Overnight, the place turned into a ghost town, forgotten until the 19th century when some lucky soul stumbled upon it and was like, “Whoa, check-out these ruins!”
A piece of land’s destiny tied with stories of two sets ofduo-brothers, one established a Kingdom and another built an Empire.
Today the town of Hampi, stands as a religious town with a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site tag – “Ruins of Hampi”. Pious Indians flock to Hampi, seeking spiritual solace. And it’s a hit with the foreign tourists too! You’ll bump into loads of them, especially Israelis, Germans, and Russians.
Route & Planning
I’d been hearing about Hampi’s epic boulders from all my friends, so I figured, why not? I tacked on an extra two days for some exploring in Aihole, Pattadakal, and Badami. My travel route for this six-day adventure looked a little something like this:
Mumbai or Hubli to Hampi – Hampi to Hippie Island – Hippie Island to Koppal – Koppal to Aihole – Aihole to Pattadakal – Pattadakal to Badami – Badami to Hubli or Mumbai
Now, if you’re gearing up for your own Hampi escapade, here are some handy tips:
1. Don’t be a hero – avoid the summer months. Monsoon season is where it’s at, or shoot for October to December.
2. Gear up like a boss: hat, water, sunscreen (if you’re easily sunburned), and always empty your bladder for those long days exploring.
3. Spend at least a day chillin’ on the other side of the Tungabhadra River, aka Hippie Island. It’s not really an island, but who’s counting?
4. Wanna feel the vibe? Stay in a homestay near the Virupaksha Temple. Just remember, it’s veggie-only around those parts.
5. If you’re all about that fit life, grab a bike and pedal your way around Hampi town. You’ll still need wheels for trips to Vitthala Temple, Hippie Island and beyond, though.
6. Slow your roll, buddy. Take your time soaking in those sunrises and sunsets, admiring the ancient architecture, and imagining what life was like back in the day.
7. Grab a guidebook as soon as you hit Hampi – it’s like having a cheat code for exploring.
8. Don’t miss on the “Light n Sound” show in the evening – it’s amazing, literally.
9. Last but not least, be a responsible traveller. Keep it clean, respect the locals, and soak up that hospitality like a sponge.
January 2024
If you’re planning a trip to Hampi or travel through Karnataka / India, we at HappyHorizon would be thrilled to curate your holiday plans to enhance overall travel experiences. Feel free to reach out to us: connect@happyhorizon.in
Annexure
Day 1: Hampi – The Land of Boulders – Read More
Day 2: Hampi – UNESCO World Heritage Site – Read More
(i) Malyavanta Hill
(ii) Raghunathaswamy Temple
(iii) Virupaksha Temple
(iv) Vitthala Temple
(v) Queens Bath
(vi) Lotus Temple
(vii) Elephant Stable
Day 3: Hampi – Temples & Monuments – Read More
(i) Anjeneri Anjanadri Temple
(ii) Matanga Hill
(iii) Achyutaraya Temple & Market Complex
(iv) Lakshmi Narasimha Statue
(v) Badavilinga Shivlinga
(vi) Underground Shiva Temple
(vii) Mahanavami Dibba / Platform
(viii) Black Stone Step-Water Tank
(ix) Hippie Island
Day 4: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary | Sanapur Lake
Day 5: Beyond Hampi
(i) Vineyard @ Koppal
(ii) Aihole
(iii) Pattadakal
Day 6: Badami
Sukumar Jain, a Mumbai-based finance professional with global experience, is also a passionate traveler, wildlife enthusiast, and an aficionado of Indian culture. Alongside his career, which includes diverse roles in international banking and finance, he's working on a wildlife coffee table book and enjoys sculpture and pottery. His interests span reading non-fiction to engaging in social and global networking.
