Hampi & Badami Heritage

Hampi & Badami: history

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336. At its height under Krishnadevaraya in the early 1500s it was one of the richest cities in the world. It was sacked in 1565 after the Battle of Talikota and never rebuilt. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Badami was the capital of the Chalukya kings from the 6th to the 8th century. Their rock-cut cave temples, and the temples of nearby Pattadakal, are older than Hampi by eight hundred years.

Hampi & Badami: tourist attractions

• Virupaksha TempleThe living temple of Hampi, still in daily worship.
• Vittala TempleThe stone chariot and the musical pillars.
• Royal EnclosureThe Mahanavami platform, the stepped tank and Hazara Rama temple.
• Lotus Mahal & Elephant StablesThe most graceful buildings of the royal centre.
• Hemakuta HillSmall shrines among the boulders, lovely at sunset.
• Badami cave templesFour caves cut into a red cliff above Agastya Lake.
• PattadakalA UNESCO-listed group of 7th and 8th-century temples.

Hampi & Badami: excursions nearby

• Anegundi & Anjanadri Hill across the river from HampiThe hill believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, reached by a long flight of steps.
• Tungabhadra Dam about 15 km from HampiGardens and a view of the reservoir.
• Daroji Bear Sanctuary about 20 km from HampiA good chance of seeing sloth bears in the afternoon.
• Aihole about 35 km from BadamiMore than a hundred early temples.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.