Driving from Bangalore to Hampi on a Weekend? In this post, we have shared everything you want to know when planning your Bangalore to Hampi road trip…
History has to live with what was here…
Oh hello, HAMPI!!, yes we are talking about you, and you are magical!!!
History
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire during the 14th to 16th century AD, ruled by four dynasties from 1336 AD to 1565 AD.
It was during the regime of King Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529 AD) of the Tuluva Dynasty the empire was at its peak. The kingdom was rich in wealth, wisdom, and literature. It was the center of civilization. People were happy and content with life — music and dance were part of their lifestyle. From horse trading to women trading, the Vijayanagar empire had it all. After his death, his successors and rulers fought among themselves and that gave an opportunity to the Deccan Muslim confederacy to besiege the capital.
People were massacred, everything was destroyed, and treasure was looted from palaces and temples. Hampi was turned into ruins in 1565.
Today, everything is in a crumbling state and the boulder-strewn landscape looks straight out of a history book. The ruins scream about the unread pages of history which are now buried in dust and left behind mysterious and untold stories.
Hampi — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986 and many efforts have been taken to restore the lost glory of the place.
If you follow us on Twitter and Instagram you might already know that we went on a road trip from Bangalore to Hampi. Since this was our first visit to Hampi, we did not want to stretch ourselves and visit everything it has to offer. Well, we are planning to be back in Hampi again this November.
Bangalore to Hampi Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Checked in at Hyatt Place & Explore Vidyanagar township
Day 2 – Visited all the attractions mentioned below in Hampi
Day 3 – Visited a few places in the morning and drove back to Bangalore
– Bangalore To Hampi: Road Trip –
We intended to start by 4:00 AM but by the time we were up and ready it was around 8:30 AM, so we had to face some traffic on the way. But nonetheless, the drive was awesome and we were at Hampi by 2:30 PM. The route we took was via NH4 and Kudligi. Barring a stretch of 70 KMs, the rest of the route was amazing and was also pretty scenic towards the end of the journey.
On the way to Hampi – A small scenic lake where we stopped for some photo ops.
– Stay during our Bangalore to Hampi road trip –
We stayed at Hyatt Place Hampi. ( You can check Booking.com for other hotels as well ).
This trip was completely planned by Sam and no doubt he wanted a relaxing trip than a hectic one. Since we were supposed to go to Kashmir and our plan was canceled at the last minute due to the JNU row, we ended up at Hampi. A long weekend and last-minute bookings meant most of the hotels were sold out or were extremely pricey.
Hyatt Place Hampi is not exactly at Hampi but is at a distance of 27 km from Hampi. If you have your own vehicle then we would recommend you to stay here. Cabs can also be booked from the hotel. Another perk of staying at Hyatt Place is that you can also explore the Vidyanagar township on a bike and visit the famous 3D Museum that houses tons of photographs of Hampi.
The satellite/topographical image of the Hampi region
The numerous photographs on display.
A small souvenir shop.
If all of these do not interest you, then you should plan to stay at Hampi or Hospet. Most of the websites suggest staying at Hospet as there are not many luxurious stays at Hampi. But if you are on a backpacker budget there are numerous quirky hotels/ hostels at Hampi.
Check the map below for hotels in and around Hampi.
Check out the hotels in:
– Hampi Road Trip – Places to Visit –
Hampi is vast, and to explore each and every corner you need ample time to soak in the beauty and explore at your own pace. But due to the crunch of time, we were very clear about the places we wanted to visit.
So, we ditched the sample itinerary and started exploring on our own with the help of the map we picked from the hotel reception desk.
If you are a history buff, the charm and mystery of this place will entice you.
Below are all the places we were able to squeeze in a day during our visit to Hampi.
Chandrasekhar Temple
We reached Hampi in just 30 minutes by car from the hotel. As we pulled our car in through the gates, all we could see was a barren landscape strewn with huge boulders and a few temples popped out from the landscape at a distance.
Our first stop was the Chandrasekhar Temple which was off the tourist trail and we were the only souls around. At first glance, the temple looked similar to the temple in Lepakshi. The only difference was that these temples do not have any idols in them. The inner sanctum of the temple was lit by a sunbeam peeping through the opening on the ceiling of the temple.
Each and every pillar of the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and the architecture is sure to impress anyone and we were no different.
Octagonal Bath
This happened to be our second stop of the day and just 500 meters away from the Chandrasekhara Temple. The structure looks dilapidated from a distance but once you enter the structure you can immediately recognize the shape of an octagon. One can visualize what a beauty this place would have been back then.
Saraswathi Temple 2
The Saraswathi temple is located in the same complex where the Octagonal Bath and Chandrasekhar Temple are located. The temple is perched on top of a small hill. Like the Chandrasekhar Temple, the pillars of this temple are also laden with intricate carvings.
Queens’ Bath :
Queen’s Bath is another impressive structure. The architecture of the Queen’s bath is a mix of Hindu and Islamic styles. The center of the structure is 8 feet deep and was used as a swimming pool by the Royal Family. Access to the first floor is restricted to visitors as it is literally falling apart. Canals and drainage have been designed intelligently for fresh water to flow in and the used water to flow out of the structure.
Vittala Temple :
The temple with dazzling architecture. Nothing can obscure the sheer beauty of the temple.
As one delves deeper into the temple one discovers the mysterious musical pillars, temple walls littered with symbols, endless corridors, the famous stone chariot, and a huge courtyard. Each and every corner qualifies for interesting tales.
As our guide regales the fascinating stories of each and every nuance of the temple. We stand gasping in disbelief. We try to listen to the various musical notes coming out from the pillars.
Archaeologists did try to investigate to find out the origin of the music but alas they could not fathom the mystery. The pillars are rock solid and are not hollow from the inside but the different musical notes it produces on tapping are strange and mysterious.
Hampi where music comes out from stone pillars
The musical pillars of the temple.
The famous Stone Chariot of Hampi
Purandradasa Mantapa
At a short distance from the temple — towards the river is the Purandradasa Manatapa. It is a small structure that was used by sages to meditate and is considered to be holy. From here, you can see the famous stone bridge and Hanuman temple perched on top of Anjeyanadri Hill — the birthplace of Hanuman.
View from the Manatapa
Hampi is definitely a work of art
River Side Ruins
Ruins. Ruins & More Ruins … Sad but true. All these beautiful structures are in bits and pieces now. It makes you both sad — seeing the condition now and proud — thinking about such architectural brilliance used to exist.
As you walk past the ruins, you can’t stop thinking about the fascinating lifestyle that the people led back then.
Anjaneya Hill & Temple
Anjaneya hill — famous as Kiskinda – the birthplace of Hanuman is just across the Tungabhadra river. A small whitewashed temple perched on the top of the hill and could be reached by the zigzag trail that leads to the temple.
PS: We are planning to explore more in Nov.
Stone Bridge
You can still find the remains of the abandoned stone bridge over the Tungabhadra river. The bridge was used to connect Anegundi to Vijaynagar.
Royal Center
One of the most popular attractions of Hampi and can’t be missed at any cost. The royal center was placed where most of the trading and celebrations used to happen.
An 80 square feet high platform is a tiered structure embossed with different symbols like horses, Chinese men, elephants, swords, etc.
There is also an underground secret chamber that was used by King to conduct secretive discussions.
The recently discovered stepped tank is also quite popular for photo ops. The tank was built from blocks of black schist stones. It is considered sacred and was usually used for religious activities by the royals.
Watch Tower
Watchtowers were used by guards to keep an eye on the intruding enemy.
Lotus Mahal
Also known as Chitanrangi Mahal. It is a two-storey building built of mortar. This was mainly used by queens to relax.
An interesting fact about this architecture is that it had a cooling system in place. The water from a nearby well was pumped in and sprinkled all around the place to keep it cooler from the sweltering heat.
Elephant Stable
Royal elephants were also treated well. They had their own beautiful place to rest. There are total of eleven stables interconnected.
The building is built of stone and mortar and has beautifully carved arches.
Underground Shiva Temple
Not visited by many, the underground Shiva temple is one of a kind. The tottering, gutted structure used to be a beautiful temple and was built below the ground level. The temple was frequented only by the Royal household.
Entry is free and the temple closes at 5 pm.
Noblemen’s Quarters
The ramshackle structure on your way to the underground Shiva Temple to Ugra Narasimha is the Noblemen’s quarters.
Sister’s Rock
The natural creation of two huge boulders leaning towards each other. Legend has it that there were two sisters who were turned to these rocks when they made some derogatory remark about Hampi. The sister rocks can be found near Pataleshwara temple.
Ugra Narasimha
Close to Bdavi Linga is one of the biggest idols in Hampi. Its height is 22 ft and was carved by a Brahmin during Krishnadevaraya’s regime.
The majestic statue has been vandalized and disfigured by the invaders.
Badavi Linga
One of the must-visit places in Hampi. This huge Linga is one of the biggest of all Lingas in Hampi made up of black stone and nearly 12ft in height. The inner sanctum has no ceiling.
Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple
This 15ft tall statue carved out of a single boulder is one of the largest sculptures in Hampi and is quite a popular tourist attraction.
Matunga Hill & Veerabhadra Temple
It is considered to be one of the best places to watch the sunset. Make sure to reach here by sunset and marvel at the sky bursting into riots of colors.
The view from the top is breathtaking.
Virupaksha Temple
Virukapla temple which was our last but one stop at Hampi. It is one of the oldest temples of Hampi and has been renovated umpteen times. The temple has a huge complex and various idols of different gods and goddesses are dotted inside the complex.
Hampi Bazaar
Our last stop of the day was Hampi Bazaar which was loaded with trinkets, eateries, and street-side stalls selling an array of souvenirs.
After gulping from the side stall, we headed straight to the hotel where a delectable dinner buffet was waiting for us.
We loved our time exploring and promised to be back soon to explore more places around Hampi.
To be honest, we were stuck in awe admiring the architectural marvel and taking in the mysterious and interesting tales.
Getting Around
You can reach almost all the places by car.
You can hire bikes (Cycles) and mopeds at a price of INR 100/ per day and INR 300-400/ per day.
You can also hire a tuk-tuk to cover the trails.
Where To Stay in Hampi? – Luxury Hotel / Budget Stay
Click here for a list of hotels in Hampi.
Where To Eat
Kahanavali’s
Mango Restaurant
Handy Tips for Bangalore to Hampi Road Trip
Grab a map and plan your itinerary well, as most of the places close by 5/6 pm
Hampi official site also suggests 1 – Day and 3 -days itineraries.
Vittala Temple is huge and buggy services are provided from the parking place.
There are no proper shops and restaurants as you cover the trail. You might find a few coconut seller or ice cream vendors at a few significant places. Pack something to snack around.
Don’t miss the amazing sunsets at Matunga Hill.
Bus No. 301 starts from the Hampi bus stand which is right in front of the famous Virupaksha temple.
Hire a government-authorized guide to know more about every nuance of the temple.
NOTE
If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email: thetalesofatraveler@gmail.com) for our Testimonial section.
We would highly recommend having more days on hand to soak in all the beauty and splendor HAMPI has to offer.
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In my personal experience, to get the best feel of Hampi stay in Hampi Bazar area.
There are quite a few homestays and lodges available in the area, with few eateries nearby.
Thank you, maybe we would try your suggestion the next time we visit Hampi. Cheers. 🙂 🙂
I went there recently and stayed in one of the homestays, spent 3 days roaming around on a bicycle.
The charm of the place was alluring to me, and it was a perfect retreat from city life.
Amazing photos!
Thank you so much Mani. 🙂 🙂
Rightly said. Hampi is a dream made of stones! It is just sad how such ancient places are destroyed and lot to time. Vijaynagar must have been crazy prosperous in its time! Loved the account 🙂
Thank you so much Vaisakhi, glad you loved it. 🙂 🙂
For any traveler Hampi is a must visit.. your post has rekindled my visit to Hampi but there is so much more it seems that you covered so now I need to plan my next visit… 🙂
You should definitely plan for a visit and we are sure your pictures would be stunning. 🙂 🙂
I would love to visit this place once for sure. You have detailed each & every thing so well that for a second I thought I was there only.
Thanks Dipika, glad you liked it. 🙂
Excellent post . How was your stay at Hyatt Place?
Stay was good but breakfast was a bit lacklustre 🙁
Your pictures are gorgeous! I’ve been to India once before, for several weeks, and thought it would be the only time I would go. Turns out I was wrong, and I’ll be going again in January. But, I keep seeing wonderful places I want to visit, like Hampi, which makes me think a third visit will be in order 🙂
India is full of secret gems Karlie. World in itself, you can say — starting from culture, architecture, beaches to mountains — it has just everything. If you are a history buff, do visit hampi on your next trip. You won’t regret 🙂 😉
That’s an awesome write up guys..very detailed..kudos..will be really helpful for my visit to Hampi..
We have tried to put all the details so that it helps others, glad you liked the post 🙂
Thanks a bunch Madhu, hopefully it serves the purpose 🙂
HI, Planning a trip to Hampi tomorrow. Came across your site and writing. Well detailed indeed. Pictures are awesome. You could include little more details about the blore- hampi routemap, breaking places etc. Can all the locations mentioned by you be covered in one day or two days?.
This blog is very informative.
I love your photos! And the ruins! I can only imagine what they must have looked like at one point in time – such beautiful and unique architecture. And the Hyatt Hampi looks like a great place to stay!
I didn’t go to Hampi while traveling in India but everyone I met who had been said it was one of the most inspiring places they visited! How interesting that Hampi was originally a place of pleasure and joy before it was overtaken and destroyed. You’re very lucky to live in a country with so many beautiful ancient sites!
That is amazing! Hampi looks like a dream and since I love visiting ancient ruins, I think this is the kind of place I’d spend hours in. The history of this place gave me goosebumps along with the beautiful photos you have. The musical pillar I think is a testament that people from the past are actually much better than us. I think someone should definitely make it a goal to figure out how music is being produced by those pillars. Lol.
I really wanted to make this trip when I was in Bangalore last May but we unfortunately got held up and ended up having to miss out 🙁 It’s a real shame, especially now seeing your post as it looks like somewhere I’d love! All the incredible architecture and history – I really must make the trip next time I’m in the area!
Very detailed post on all the ins and outs of visiting this cool spot. So much to photograph
Your photos of Hampi are simply stunning. I didn’t know about Hampi or the history. It’s so sad to think that it was in ruins from the 15th century. You are so right that the buildings themselves are now their own art work, still living. The underground temple is high on my list of places to see.
Wow, Hampi is huge! The Virupaksha Temple you photographed at sunset is amazing, I must visit Hampi. I think staying at the Hyatt works as it’s a good quality hotel and 27 km is not far away.
As a self-proclaimed history buff, this really does look right up my alley. Certainly, it is incredible how well the temples have been maintained and a vast majority of the carving details seems to be in place. Beyond the site itself however, Hampi looks a stunningly beautiful setting and that sunset photo you’ve captured really is great. A very readible and extremely thorough write-up.
I’m just back from Hampi and my posts on Hampi are coming up! Yes, even I took a road trip from Bangalore to Hampi and its one heck of a journey in both positive and negative sense! If travelling spring or rainy season (when its not raining) it could be so so beautiful with greenery on either sides. But on a sunny day it can really punishing!!! Though Google Maps says its just 6 hrs to take easily 7.5 hrs incl stopping for food, so its really long!!!
The ruins in Hampi seem like you could spend so much time exploring the history. I also love that sunset photo you took while you were there. The musical pillar also sounds incredibly interesting–now I just really want to know how it makes music. hopefully someone will solve the mystery!
This post refreshed some old memories. I cycled through Hampi in 2011 which feels like a different era now. Apart from the ruins, even the rock formations are unique in Hampi. This also reminds me that I have been ignoring the south of late. Need to make it right.
This looks like such an amazing trip! There are so many details to the ruins, they are stunning. I can see how one would want to spend more time there, there is so much to explore.
Hampi is just magical. And my favorite always. I can keep going again and again and finding things that I missed the last time around. Loved your pictures of it.
Thanks a lot Ami. Hampi is magical 🙂
A road trip to Hampi has always been on my radar. The routes are said to be beautiful.Moreover, The ruins of Hampi and the temples are treasures waiting to be discovered. Thanks for sharing about the amazing 3D museum. You must have had a pretty good weekend.
This brought a lot of nostalgia. As I had visited Hampi couple of years back. The place is simply amazing. Although I couldn’t explore the length and breadth of it since I had a small baby and even in december it was quiet hot there. I want to go again and cover everything else, will use your post as my guide.
It is a lovely place and I can re-visit n number of times without a second thought 🙂
I was planning to visit Hampi last month and it didn’t seem to work out. Looking at these pictures, now is making me jealous 😀 Hopefully, I will visit Hampi soon. Thanks for the detailed itinerary 🙂
This seems like a spectacular road trip! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi.. Did you guys go back again in Nov.?? whats the latest experience of that? the above has been well captured though. thanks.
Hey, we are planning to visit hampi in november. Is it feasible to visit with 1.5 Yrs old kid ?
Yes… Hampi is a beautiful place you’re surely gonna love it 🙂 But it’s huge so don’t try to squeeze in a lot with a kid in tow… Relax and take it slow 🙂 Have fun!!!
Amazing blog!
Do you need to pass any ghat/valley section while driving from bangalore to hampi?
Thanks.
Not at all 🙂
I am travelling there in January and made booking at same hotel Hyatt Place.
Thank you! 🙂
Hope you enjoy Hampi. Also, do send us a picture of yours from the trip.
Good Information!
This is a beautiful article. Sad that I didn’t come across it before my trip but found it while searching for an alternative route from Hampi to Bangalore as the route through which we came , the last 70kns was extremely bad. Didn’t find it, but loved the story
Awesome information and beautifully captured photos. May I know the camera and the lens rig that you use? Thanks