Hampi Backpacking Trip

Information about the Place:

• A pre-historic wonder destination in Gangavathi is the largest megalithic site in India. 

• Dating back to 800 BCE to 200 BCE period, the site contains around 400 funerary monuments. 

• An astonishing site on the banks of River Tungabhadra is covered with thorny bushes, slippery boulders, and uneven trails, and can be reached through hiking. 

• Even though India has numerous sites, the megalith at Moryara Gudda in Hirebenakal is the largest necropolis among the 2000-odd megalithic sites present in South India. 

• An ode to the departed souls, these manmade prehistoric Hirebenakal rock tombs are mausoleums carved in stone that welcome curious visitors. 

• The tombstones ranging from a height of 1- foot to 10 feet tall slabs are unbelievably standing strong and unshakeable.

• Sanapura lake is beautiful lake formed by an irrigation reservoir and thus a great excursion point near Hampi. 

• The surrounding scenery with boulder hills all around makes this lake even more scenic. 

• The drive to the lake is also mesmerising as it winds through paddy and banana plantations. 

• Enjoy a coracle ride and Cliff jumping here to make the trip more adventurous and fun.

• Set in an awesome boulder-strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was the magnificent capital city of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. 

• Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, it fell to the Muslim rulers of the Deccan in 1565, and the citywas pillaged over six months before being abandoned. 

• However, the ruins of these historical monuments have withstood the ravages of man and time, and still evoke memories of the grandeur of a bygone era.

• Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this historic town is also the “World’s Largest Open-air Museum”. 

• Vijayanagara Empire at its peak was very prosperous and was believed to be larger than Rome with palaces grander than of Lisbon “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world” , marvelled a 15th-century Persian ambassador Abdul Razaak. 

• This was a city whose merchants traded in diamonds and pearls on the streets. 

• Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. 

• The Royal Centre in the southwest part of the site contains structures that seem to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. 

• The Sacred Centre stretches around the Virupaksha Temple and the Hampi Bazaar area and is along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. 

• The Chariot featured on a 50 rupee note of Indian currency is like an emblem of the state. 

• The ruins of Hampi are extensive and fascinating enough to absorb your attention for several days, but we will be covering the important ones in our trip such as Virupaksha temple, Narasimha temple, Badavi linga, Stone chariot, Vijaya vittala temple and so on..

• Anjanadri Hill is believed to be the birthplace of the Anjaneya (Hanuman). Born to Anjana, hence the hill is called Anjanadri hill, believed to be his birthplace. 

• The panoramic views of the mesmerising landscapes, the astonishing sunset and sunrise views and the scenic views of the Tungabhadra River flowing between the mountains and rocks will take away all your strain or fatigue if at all you have any. 

• You can also view the Hampi ruins and the other majestic hills in the neighbourhood. 

• The spectacular views from the hilltop of the paddy fields, coconut plantations, the Rocky Mountains on one side and the Tungabhadra on the other, are worth the climb. These are the other perks of climbing the hill apart from visiting the essence of the temple, which is the birthplace of the deity..