Unforgettable Hampi experiences for the traveller in you

If you are a fan of history and architecture, you must have Hampi on your travel wishlist. Why, you ask? This popular town in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka, is home to the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many other natural and man-made attractions.

Also read: Khajuraho Temples: Going beyond the erotic sculptures​

The erstwhile capital of the 14th century Vijayanagara Kingdom is now in ruins, except for some of the stunning temples. The site is surrounded by the iconic and unique rocky outcrops that are very pleasant to look at.

Here are some of the unforgettable experiences you can have when in Hampi.

Not the deity herself, but Laxmi the elephant is what we are talking about. Laxmi, is one of the temple’s main attractions. The gentle and friendly pachyderm will “bless” you if you let her. This is one of the most endearing experiences you can have in Hampi.

Also known as the Monkey Hill, Anjaneya Hill is a popular place where visitors go and enjoy the setting sun. There’s a Hanuman Temple at the top of the hill and, as per the local legends, this is Hanuman’s birthplace.

Take a walk around the ruins of Hampi to see what’s left of the grand architecture of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. You can see the remains of forts, royal complexes, temples, pillared halls and gateways among many other attractions.

The traditional coracle ride on the Tungabhadra river is going to be an unforgettable experience. You can also head to the nearby Hippie Island and try the coracle ride there on the Sanapur Lake.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing and Hampi is a great place to do that. There are bouldering camps you can try out.

The nearby Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is the first protected site dedicated for the conservation of sloth bears in India and in Asia. The sanctuary is just 9 km from Hampi.