Description of the attraction
A small village called Hampi is located on the border of the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Goa, among the ruins of the once lush city of Vijayanaga, the former capital of the ancient powerful Vijayanagara empire. Once Hampi was the religious center of this area, and today it has not lost its significance. This is especially true of the famous Hindu temple Virupaksha, which today attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
The village acquired its name thanks to the Tungabhadra River, on the banks of which it was built. Its ancient name sounded like "Pampa". And the word "Hampi" comes from the angloified "Hampa" - this is how "Pampa" is pronounced in the ancient Kannada language, which was and remains very common in southwestern India, especially in the state of Karnataka.
According to historical data, the first settlement on this territory appeared in the 1st century. And already starting from about 1336 it turned into a major cultural center. This continued until 1565, when the city fell to the floor of Muslim rule. Since it was a very important strategic point, owning it was a great advantage.
In general, Hampi is a real paradise for historians, archaeologists, cultural experts and just tourists. The unique architecture of each building, originality in every detail make this place truly unique. The most significant buildings of Hampi today are: the already mentioned Virupaksha temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; the Khazara Rama temple complex, famous for its beautiful frescoes; the temple complex of Krishna, which was discovered very recently, just a few years ago; the Vittala temple complex, which owns the famous stone chariot, which has become a kind of symbol of Karnataka.
The village of Hampi is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
