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Hospet
/ Hampi
Population
: 146,000
Main Languages
: Kannada.
Telephone area code
: 08394
Best time to visit
: October to March
Hospet is a base for visiting the Vijayanagar ruins at Hampi.
Places of Interest
Hampi
The ruins of Vijayanagar
city near the village of Hampi are one of the most fascinating
historical sites in South India. The two points of entry to
the ruins are the Hampi Bazaar and the small village of Kamalapuram.
The
old Hampi bazaar is now a village and the locals have inhabited
the old bazaar buildings. The village of Kamalapuram is dominated
by the Virupaksha
temple with its 52m high gopuram. The temple dates back
to 15th century.
The
highlight of the ruins is the Vittale
Temple. The temple is a World Heritage Monument (one of
the only three in South India, the others being at Thanjavur
and Mahabalipuram). Although the temple was never finished,
the incredible sculpture work of the Vittala temple is of
the highest standard and is the pinnacle of Vijayanagar art.
The outer pillars are known as musical pillars as they
reverbate when tapped.
The
Royal enclosure area,
within it’s various stone walled enclosures has some of Hampi’s
major attractions. Firstly, is the Lotus
Mahal and the Elephant
stables.The former is delicately designed pavilion
in a walled compound known as Zanana Mahal. The building gets
its name from the lotus bud carved in the center of the dome
and vaulted ceiling.
The
Elephant stables is a grand building with eleven domed chambers
for housing the state elephants.
HOW
TO REACH
By Air
Nearest airport is Bangalore (358 kms)
By
Train
Trains from Bangalore.
By Road
Hubli
(160 kms), Bijapur (215 kms), Bangalore (358 kms).
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| Suggested
Itineraries |
Grand
Tour of South India
(21 nights/22 days)
Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mahabalipuram/
Pondicherry/Tanjore/Trichy/Madurai/
Periyar/Cochin/ Bangalore/Hospet/
Aihole/Pattadakal/Badami/Goa/Mumbai |
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