Located on the banks of Tungabhadra River about 350 kilometers north of Bangalore and 13 km from Hospet, the village of Hampi in North Karnataka alludes to tremendous historical importance. Sprawled over more than 25 square kilometers, Hampi, the erstwhile major trading center is home to giant temples, market streets, palaces, and aquatic structures, forts and a plethora of other ancient monuments.
Vithala Temple Complex : It is probably the biggest of all tourist attractions in Hampi. The splendid monument comprises of 56 musical pillars. At the east of the area stands a stone chariot with stone wheels, which actually revolve. All these and the richly carved basement are chiseled out of a single rock.
Virupaksha Temple : Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva was the family deity of the Vijayanagar kings. King Krishnadeva Raya used to visit the temple after every successful conquest. These tales of the Ramayana are carved on two of the inside walls of the temple.
King's Balance : This is a balance where the kings were weight against grains and jewels, which were to be distributed among, the poor during the festivals.
Lotus Mahal : It was the air-cooled summer palace of the queens. The structure complete with arc ways set in geometric regularity showcases a beautiful blend of hindu and Islamic architecture.
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