I had heard so much about Hampi but somehow the place eluded me. We finally made a plan this January to spend three nights at this fascinating place where God plays Jenga.
Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in east-central Karnataka, India. It became the centre of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire capital in the 14th century.
Transportation:
Train was the best option from Bangalore as it gave us 3 full days to explore the ruins. You leave at 10pm and arrive at Hospet at 7am. The same holds good for the return journey too.
Budget: INR 20,000 for two
Stay- 6000/- for 3 nights
Train- 1500/- both ways for two
Cab- 2500/- for 3 days
Sightseeing- 2500/-
F&B- 6000/-
Tax – 1500/-
Hotel:
Most people stay in Hospet which has the big hotels like Royal Orchid and The Hyatt. However we decided to stay in Hampi, close to the monuments.
There are two sides to explore on the Tungabhadra river. One side has the most famous ruins where historians, pilgrims and tourists flock to be mesmerized by the strange rock formations and structures. And on the other side you have the hippie vibe with bars and cafes lined up. One can get from one side to the other by boat or car. It’s very easy.
We decided to stay in Clark’s Inn which was closer to the monuments. The plan was to hire a car and see the ruins during the day and go to the other side to enjoy the night life.
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The hotel was the right choice for us because it had all the facilities like AC, swimming pool, restaurant etc that one needs in a place like Hampi where temperatures can touch 40 degrees. We paid just INR 2000/- per night for a superior room. Across the river, the homestays are cheaper but quite basic.
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There is a Jungle lodge and an Orange County property as well, but I don’t recommend them at all. Firstly both are away from the main area and secondly not worth the money they charge.
(Orange County)
( Stepped Pushkarni)
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What to see:
When you are visiting the sights, please make sure you take a guide from the Virupaksha temple office. The official rate is 1200-1500 for the day. A guide is very useful in Hampi because only when you hear the interesting stories do you appreciate what you are seeing.
Some of the must visit places are:
1. Virupaksha temple
2. Queen’s bath
3. Lotus Mahal
4. Pushkarni
5. Vithala temple
6. Elephant stables
7. Matanga hill
8. Hazara Rama Temple
9. Underground Shiv temple
10. Mahanavami Dibba
11. Malavanta- sunset point
You will need good two days to cover these and more.
( Lotus Mahal)
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The cafes that are famous are:
- Laughing Buddha
- Cafe chill out
- The mango tree
- Nargila guest house
The laid back vibe in these cafes remind you that you are on holiday. Do not expect fast service here and just thank your stars if you manage to get a place to sit.
Technically these bars are not allowed to serve alcohol. But many of them do so on request.
Close to these cafes is a sunset point which is not to be missed. Locals play music along with foreign tourists as everyone waits for the light to fade. The feeling is inexplicable as you stand atop the rocks, with the breeze in your face and happy tunes filling the air.. as the sun goes down.
(The chill out cafe)
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Best time to visit- October to February
My verdict: Overall, Hampi is a place one can keep returning to. I am in awe of its strange, barren beauty and would like to learn more about it’s ever unfolding mysteries in the years to come. The rocks defy gravity and are unlike anything else you will ever see.
My rating: 4/5 for Clark’s Inn. It exceeded expectations on all counts for the tariff . Only thing missing was an alcohol license.
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