Hampi Utsav: Restoring the Ruins

Night Trails

Ever since Hampi has opened to visitors at night, tourism prospects have gone up. Hampi Utsav will showcase the place in all its glory under moonlit skies.

Festivities Beckon

Karnataka Tourism takes this opportunity to encourage all forms of arts - music, dance, puppet shows. Contemporary art and entertainment is a complete sell-out that attracts more tourists. Apart from popular entertainment, folk and classical arts are also encouraged.

Winner Takes All

A festival is complete when tourists and visitors are an active part of it. Hence, the organisers have planned various contests for those interested. Hampi by Art, Hampi by Food, Hampi by Lens and Hampi by Foot are some of the leading contests which encourage active participation.

X-Treme Hampi

If you'd thought Hampi is for the aged and sedate, maybe it's time to dust away perceptions. Target archery, all terrain vehicle rides, paintball zone, air rifle shooting competition will all make Hampi Utsav an action packed one.

Double X-Treme Hampi

If air rifle shooting was not exciting enough there's more in store. Balloon rides, cross-country cycling, rock climbing and heritage trekking add to the fun and adding a tinge of nostalgia there is a kite flying contest too.

Bazaars in bloom

Memories of our travels are made stronger by the mementos we take away from a place. Take home a bit of memorablia from the bazaars of indigeneous craftsmen here.

Detailed Delight

The delight it offers through the stories that it narrates is not just through its festivals and tourism, but it is the architectural finesse that works the magic.

Of Picture Perfectness

Though the group of monuments at Hampi are spread across a few kilometers, the main attraction here is the Virupaksha temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Making of Myths and Legends

Hampi is a site rich with mythological narratives and legends. The Vittala temple is another popular monument at Hampi that is home to many legends. All chances are that the stories you probably heard as a child were created right here. The stone chariot at the Vittala temple is the face of Hampi. It is said that the chariot was once mobile. As opposed to popular notion, it is not carved out of a single stone but built with many granite blocks.

Potpourri of Cultures

Hampi portrays the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire but after the place was taken over by the Sultanates there was a fusion of Hindu and Islamic culture . The zenana enclosure portrays the Arabic and Persian side of Hampi in its ruins. The highlight of this aspect is the Lotus Mahal that is built to mirror a half-opened lotus bud. The illumination at night during Hampi Utsav will make it even more attractive to the eye.

How to Reach

Hampi is located 360 km from Bangalore. There are special buses that ply on this route during the Hampi Utsav. Trains are both comfortable and cost effective to reach Hampi. Get down at Hospet if you are travelling by train. Hampi is only 14 km from Hospet and local transport can be availed from there.

Stay Options

Since you'd be travelling in the middle of the tourist season, staying options need to be looked into before hand. There are many homestays available for tourists. Hotels and lodges are also sought after. Hampi is a popular tourist destination and it wouldn't be difficult to find accommodation.