A Journey Through the Incredible Ruins of Hampi

• by Piklo D. Sindom
• 24th March 2019
• 35 Comments

As one of India’s most incredible places, Hampi will make you fall in love with the magical boulder-strewn landscape, enigmatic temples, elegant ruins, and gently-spinning coracle boats. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is a village and temple town in northern Karnataka. A majestic land with relics of the bygone era, a trip to Hampi is a trip to the past! What once was the greatest and wealthiest city in the world, the vestige of Hampi, as it is known today, is an enormous open museum of architecture, history and religion on display. Hampi’s ruins will leave you spellbound the moment you lay your eyes on them. Its archaeological villages and historical significance make it a perfect tourist spot. Here, at every turn, there is surprise. Every monument hides more than what it reveals.

It is a stupendous experience to explore the mythical and historic city of Hampi, but what makes it even more special is a stay at Heritage Resort Hampi. An alluring backdrop of rocky landscapes with lush vegetation - the beautiful sight from the resort is bound enchant and bewitch you. Spread across 8-acres of land, Heritage Resort Hampi is a perfect blend of traditional architecture and modern features in a property that will beckon any traveller. The verdant wonderland makes for a perfect place to escape the hustle-bustle! As you enter the resort, take a walk through the in-house plantation, take some moments to yourself and unwind under a banyan tree as you listen to the sweet symphony of birds chirping. Relax, revive, savour a ripe mango from the farm, and embrace the beauty of this heritage!

Apart from being an eco-friendly resort, Heritage Resort Hampi is also self-sustainable! It is the perfect luxury vacation you were looking for with facilities like a swimming pool and a spa to rejuvenate! A space closer to nature, the resort gives you a unique experience with its sustainable methods, a pledge to help the local community and to sustain everything that is the part of the local heritage. The herbs for the spa or veggies for the restaurant, they’re fruits of the resort’s own making, from its organic garden, grown with love and tenderness. With a wonderful idea of negative carbon footprints, Heritage Resort Hampi believes in the fundamental conservation principle of Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.

Hampi's tourist spots will give you two kinds of visuals, one part that showcases religion and the other royalty. The structures of Hampi includes temples, palaces, bazaars, mandaps, gardens, and military structures. While the Hazara Rama Temple tells a tale of Ramayana through its carving, Vittala Temple mesmerises you with its golden-stone chariot. The Virupaksha temple and the Statue of Ugra Narasimha are well-known for their sacredness, the Lotus Palace and Queen’s Bath are prominent for their royalty. A stroll around the lively Hampi market will transport you to the olden days.

Hampi is one of the most mythically-significant places in India, so where you stay matters the most! If beautiful nature, luxury and proximity to monuments is what you’re looking for, then Heritage Resort Hampi is the place to stay. It offers the perfect location to explore the chronicles of the destination, as well as relax amidst the scenic landscape.

The best way to start your day in Hampi would be by visiting Matanga Hills to witness a breathtaking sunrise. After soaking in the beautiful hilltop view, it will be a good idea to start your exploration of ruins with Achyutaraya Temple, Virupaksha Temple and Hemakuta Temples, which are very close. Achyutaraya is a striking 16th-century temple, dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. Located between Gandhamadana and Matanga Hills, this is the first place that you can explore! Virupaksha Temple is said to be the city’s oldest monument and Hampi’s only working temple. Located at the end of the Hampi Bazaar, the impressive tower at the entrance can be spotted from many parts of the town! After taking a tour of Hemakuta Temples, a cluster of hill temples that are known for its splendid view of the sprawling UNESCO site, you can head back to resort for a scrumptious complimentary buffet breakfast! After breakfast, you can head for a quick tour of Kadlekalu Ganesha, Krishna Temple, Krishna Bazar, Ugra Narasimha Statue, and Queens Bath’s. Other than exploring local monuments, Heritage Resort Hampi also gives you the chance to encounter authentic village life with a Village Tour that includes pottery making and a bullock cart ride through sugarcane fields.

Afternoons at Hampi can get a little balmy, so you can always spend some time at the resort and make the best of its amenities. Laze around the Swimming Pool, inspired by the stepped baths of Hampi, or spend the afternoon rejuvenating with Ayurvedic treatments at the Spa. Later, savour authentic local cuisine at lunch at Kishkinda Restaurant, in-house at Heritage Resort Hampi. Relish a lavish spread of organic produce in the form of mouth-watering dishes here!

It would be a sin to miss the golden-orange sunsets while you are here, so you can plan to go to Matanga Hills, Hemakuta Hills, Malyavanta or Anjanadri Hills to take in the beauty of a magical sunset. If you decide to stay at the property, it will be a pleasure for the staff here to take you through the Organic Garden to know more about the plants, fruits, vegetables that are grown here the sustainable way.

After a long day, you can opt for a Romantic Pool-Side Dinner or lose yourself under the starry sky of Hampi, and head to our jungle theme set-up tucked away in a cosy corner of the resort, around a pristine banyan tree. Spend time with your loved ones as you sip on your favourite drink with delicious barbecue. Lounge under the sky and end the day with a lip-smacking dessert.

Still can’t get enough of Hampi? The next day, you can head to Daroji Bear Sanctuary and Tungabadra Dam. You can plan to take a day excursion to visit Pattadakkal, Aihole and Badami. Also, explore the Hampi Bazaar, a bustling village market filled with clothes, jewellery, handcrafted bags and charming rooftop cafes. It is said that during the ancient times, gems, pearls, gold and precious metals were sold in these streets. It will be an intriguing escapade to take a stroll through the same walkways.

If you are seeking that perfect holiday with a dash of luxury close to nature, the lush Heritage Resort Hampi awaits you!