Located in east-Central Karnataka, Hampi has to be the most happening historical spot in India. From being home to prehistoric humans to being the capital of the thriving Empire of Vijaynagara, it has seen all phases of mankind and carries rich stories and souvenirs from the past.
See Hampi Through The Locals
Experience the village life at the lands of Hampi. The life of the rural communities around the UNESCO World Heritage Site will be explored and you will get an opportunity to see the 29 village settlements that are an integral part of the cultural heritage of Hampi. With a pool of traditions, festivals, social life, and breathtaking landscapes, your stay in Hampi will be a special one. How the communities aid the richness of this cultural heritage, how they live, and how they thrive is what you’ll find answers for! As you take part in the daily routines of the village, your mind will be filled with a dash of serenity & wonder. This will be a fun, engaging, and educational experience for you as you learn about the village life of India in general and also know about the lesser-known tales around the region. So buckle up for activities like a bullock cart ride, a visit to the temple of Goddess Durga, making some craft with the local women artisans, and learn to cook using a local’s style and recipe.
Get To The Depth of Hampi’s Heritage
Witness the legend of the ancient Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara whose remnants are still thriving in the culture of this region. It was a kingdom full of fortunes and had some of the most powerful rulers of the time who brought the Dravidian temples and palaces to life. But under the rule of a specific ruler named Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529 CE) of the Tuluva Dynasty, the region reached a peak back then. In 1565, it was routed by the Deccan Muslim confederacy and the Hampi was laid to waste, and became a ghost town.
The kind of monuments you will see here will be the remnants of the long lost kingdom that includes forts, riverside features, royal & sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, gateways, defence check posts, stables, water structures and so on. The history of Hampi is almost mythical, hence, history buffs will spend hours wandering around this area!
Explore The Relationship Between Hampi and The Ramayana
There is the Mythical Kingdom of Kishkinda that has been mentioned in the ancient Indian epic called The Ramayana. Hampi and the villages around it are believed to be this Kingdom! The protagonist is named Prince Rama who embarks on a quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the hold of Ravana with the help of an army of monkeys. In the fourth chapter of this epic, Rama arrives in Kishkinda in search of Sita. And at Hampi, you’ll hear many such stories and folklore revolving around this topic. If you’re spiritually inclined, tracing the story of the epic in the realm of Hampi will be an intriguing experience for you. There are many myths and legends of Prince Rama and Hanuman in the Hampi area that aren’t written anywhere but have been passed over centuries through people.
Delve Into The Pre-Historic Times of Hampi
Prehistoric humans have lived in Hampi since the Neolithic age. The residents who lived here back from 1500 BC to 800 BC were mostly nomadic cattle herders, who made the natural caves their home during the rainy season. Many of these megalithic and neolithic sites have disappeared due to negligence and lack of conservation. The only reason why some of the sites have survived is that they are not within reach and are nestled deep or high in the hills. Go on a tour and check out the remains of the prehistoric period. How these early men lived, carved the walls, and protected themselves from the natural world are interesting to know about! You’ll see plenty of 150000-year-old rock art from the Bronze Age that will leave you in awe. The voices of these people are still strong in the area, and the caves which the prehistoric humans called their home, is now a shelter for animals, snakes, bats, and birds. Let a local shepherd guide you to the remote areas via the stony hills, where you can rest a bit, meditate or observe the beautiful landscape.
Go On An Adventure!
Revel in the beauty of Hampi’s sunrise as you hike through the hills, green valleys, rivers, lakes, and canals. Hampi is known for harbouring over 300 species of birds and different varieties of animals. So, you can also get a capture-worthy view of the region’s fauna. Hampi is based on the hardest rocky surfaces that are about 2.5 billion years old and therefore, has a very ancient vibe.
For those who love adventures, this kind of experience will be ideal! The boulder hills also have a very unique geology that you can know more about from the locals. You can also have fun on a coracle boat ride over the Tungabhadra river and explore the rural countryside on mopeds. After the action-packed tour, you can indulge in a delicious local meal too!