Hampi is an ancient town located in Karnataka near the modern-era city of Hosapete, India. Hampi continues to be a very important religious area, with the Virupaksha Temple, an active Adi Shankara linked monastery.
The name “Hampi” is derived from the word “Pampa”, which is another name of the goddess “Parvati”(an hindu goddess). According to the myth, Parvati was a pretty maiden who wanted to get married to Shiva. Her parents tried to discourage her from pursuing this ambition but she bluntly refused. She kept appeasing gods to touch Shiva’s heart to give her attention. She even sent gods like Kama to shoot an arrow of love into Shiva’s heart. All her attempts proved abortive. She finally resolved to do all the activities which Shiva loves doing so that he can get interested in her. She finally gains his attention after several attempts and he finally gets married to her. Parvati carried out all her activities to attract Shiva at the river near the Hemakuta Hill which is presently known as Pampa River. The name “Pampa” metamorphosed into the Kannada word Hampa which later became Hampi.
Hampi is very famous for her ancient monuments and temples. But, if you want to enjoy the town, it is advisable to stay on the river island which is also called a Hippie Island (Virupapur Gaddi). There are so many fun things to do in hampi which a few of them will be listed in this article subsequently.
Biking: There is no better way to enjoy sightseeing than riding on a bike and taking in sights as well as fresh air. The bikes available at Hampi are also referred to as ‘moped’. They are very much easier to ride than a scooter. While riding on the narrow roads of Hampi, you will enjoy total serenity without disturbances as the roads are often always empty and bordered by natural beautiful greens on both sides. You can drive down to areas like Anjaneya Hill (monkey temple), Sanapur Lake, Anegundi (a nearby village).
Cliff Jumping: If you are feeling very daring, you can head out towards Sanapur Lake or Tungabhadra River for cliff jumping. You can ask the locals for assistance to help find your way around the cliff. Once you get to the cliff, you need to let go of your fears and jump. Jump into the water in the enclosed area below the cliff. There are signboards saying the water houses crocodiles. Fear not! This is only a scarecrow theory to scare away tourists who usually turned the place to a party spot where they dumped their trash after use. So, if you want to go for a cliff jumping, make sure you leave no trash behind.
Visit Temples and Ruins of Hampi: There is usually a need to feel peace in a strange place. Temples are religious settings which provide such peace. The atmosphere which the temples at Hampi provide is usually comforting and you can be sure to feel blessed once you leave the place. The ruins at Hampi are referred to as a UNESCO world heritage site. You will be opportune to see the ruins of the ancient empire “Vijayanagara” (the forgotten empire). It was the first historical settlement in Hampi which dates back to as far as 1CE. If you do not intend to spend more than a day in Hampi, you can visit the temples and ruins.
Coracle Ride: This will be a new experience for most people who haven’t come in contact with a coracle before. It is a circular boat. The natives of Tungabhadra refer to it as a country boat which can carry between 6-8 passengers at a time. Taking this exciting boat ride on the red Tungabhadra River. The ride is just like seeing a 3D movie. It usually lasts up to about 5 minutes. Short and exciting is the perfect description for this ride. However, bear in mind that the ride usually has a scheduled time within which it opens and closes. The time is never constant so do well to ask the locals for proper information before approaching the red river.
Hut accommodation at Hippie Island: The hippie island is well known for its huts which she offers to tourists. Though they are built in an archaic style, they are well furnished with important basic amenities. At the huts, there are usually live performances to entertain guests as well as decent staffs who speak fluent Hindi and English languages. These tiny huts do not really exist anymore so, for a caricature experience, you can try Hema Guest House or Murali Hometay, Hampi.
Visit the Local Market for a Shopping Spree: Hampi street markets are packed full of original handicrafts which are not only beautiful but also very affordable. At the markets, you can spice up your shopping adventures by shopping for your tummy as well. There are a lot of cuisines where you can enjoy Hampi delicacies while you shop. There are so many cafes to eat in, so much so that you would never run out of options. Examples of such cafes are Top Secret River View, Laughing Buddha and Hema’s café. While enjoying your meal, you can also engage in very interesting board games and interact with other tourists.
Hill Climbing: One of the must climb hills in Hampi is the Matanga Hills. From the hilltop, you will see many beautiful sights across the town. At the South, you will sight a peak while at the North sections; you will see a trekking trail which connects the Hampi Bazaar with the Achyuta Raya temple. Another beautiful historical hill you should visit is the Anjaneya Hill, the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. It is also known as the Monkey Temple. Though this temple is located in the Anegondi village which is not so far away from Hampi. This place is very easy to climb because of its steps. But, keep your valuables very safe while climbing this hill because there are a lot of monkeys on the hill that can borrow your little wallet.
Fishing: Are you a fish lover who loves to fish or watch others do? Hampi waters scream fishing at first sight. If you do not know how to catch those lovely sea creatures, maybe you could do pre-training before packing your bags for Hampi.
Boat Ride: Besides the coracle boat ride, there are some boats run by state government in Hampi for fishing purpose. These boats are made from trees or tar. You can use them while fishing. There is also a taxi boat across the side of Anegundi which you can use to enjoy a trip across the Tungabhadra River as well.
Mingle with Locals: Another beautiful thing about Hampi is its people. They are very simple minded and friendly people who love having tourists around. The children are very free-minded and friendly while some of the teenagers are a bit reserved and timid. Most of the teenage boys interact well with foreigners as they speak very decent English language which makes communication easy.
In a nutshell, Hampi is a go to area in India if you are looking for a different atmosphere to spend your holidays besides the West. You would meet beautiful people, things and places which will always bring a smile to your lips even at the thought of your experience. If you are still confused about the next place to spend your vacation, try Hampi.
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