Sights in Hampi
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Zenana Enclosure
A walled compound known as the Zenana Enclosure holds the Lotus Mahal, a delicately designed pavilion which was supposedly the queen’s recreational mansion. The Lotus Mahal overlooks the Elephant Stables, a grand building with domed chambers where state elephants once resided. Your ticket is valid for same-day admission to the Vittala Temple.
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Virupaksha Temple
The focal point of Hampi Bazaar is the Virupaksha Temple, one of the city’s oldest structures. The main gopuram (gateway tower), almost 50m high, was built in 1442, with a smaller one added in 1510. The main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Shiva.
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Anegundi
North of the river is the ruined fortified stronghold of Anegundi, an older structure than those at Hampi; within it you'll find a charming village. Free of the rampant commercialism that blights Hampi Bazaar, this is a wonderful place to stay thanks to a heritage-conservation project, the Kishkinda Trust. Much of the old defensive wall is intact and there are numerous small temples worth a visit.
It takes less than an hour to walk to Anegundi from Hampi Bazaar. At the time of research a new bridge across the Tungabhadra River was nearing completion; until then coracle rides cost Rs 10. Alternatively there's a road to Anegundi from Hospet.
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Royal Centre
This area of Hampi is quite different from the area around Hampi Bazaar, since most of the rounded boulders that once littered the site have been used to create beautiful stone walls. It's a 2km walk on a track from the Achyutaraya Temple, but most people get to it from the Hampi Bazaar-Kamalapuram road. Within various enclosures here are the rest of Hampi's major attractions, including the Zenana Enclosure and the Elephant Stables.
This area is easily explored by bicycle since a decent dirt road runs through its heart.
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Hanuman Temple
The whitewashed Hanuman Temple, accessible by a 570-step climb atop the Anjanadri Hill, has fine views of the rugged terrain around. Many believe this is the birthplace of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god who was Rama’s devotee and helped him in his mission against Ravana. The hike up is pleasant, though you’ll be courted by impish monkeys, and within the temple you’ll find a horde of chillum-puffing resident sadhus!
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Sule Bazaar & Achyutaraya Temple
Halfway along the path from Hampi Bazaar to the Vittala Temple, a track to the right leads to deserted Sule Bazaar, which gives you some idea of what Hampi Bazaar might have looked like if it hadn't been repopulated. At the southern end of this area is the Achyutaraya Temple. Its isolated location at the foot of Matanga Hill makes it quietly atmospheric.
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Vittala Temple
From the eastern end of Hampi Bazaar, a track, best covered on foot, leads left along the riverbank to the Vittala Temple, about 2km away. The undisputed highlight of the Hampi ruins, the 16th-century temple is in fairly good condition, though a few cement scaffolds have been erected to keep the main structure from collapsing.
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Hemakuta Hill
To the south, overlooking Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill has a scattering of early ruins, including Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Narasimha (Vishnu in his man-lion incarnation). It's worth the short walk up for the view over the bazaar.
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Elephant Stables
The Elephant Stables is a grand building with domed chambers where the state elephants once resided. Your entry ticket to the Zenana Enclosure and the stables is also valid for same-day admission to the Vittala Temple.
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Archaeological Museum
The archaeological museum has well-displayed collections of sculptures from local ruins, Neolithic tools, 16th-century weaponry and a large floor model of the Vijayanagar ruins.
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Nandi Statue
At the east end of Hampi Bazaar is a monolithic Nandi Statue and shrine. This is the main location for Vijaya Utsav, the Hampi arts festival held in November.
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Queen’s Bath
South of the Zenana Enclosure, the Queen’s Bath is deceptively plain on the outside but amazing within.
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Underground Virupaksha Temple
Further south of Zenana enclosure, you’ll find the Underground Virupaksha Temple.
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