A memorable drive to the 'Lost Empire'.. Bangalore to Hampi, Karnataka.

[karthik]

Planning:

It was an extended weekend during the 1st week of October and I was waiting to explore some place for that weekend. Asked my friends about their plan for the upcoming weekend and that is when i knew about this group of weekend thrill seekers who hit to various destinations during the weekends which are relatively less explored and so I decided to join the 'India-drive' men for the weekend getaway.

 

It felt really amazing to meet people online and make up a plan for a meetup to a common destination which was finalized as Hampi. The meetup included a group driving down from Hyderabad and a batch from Bangalore. Interacting online and meeting up in person to spend some quality time together to explore places, sounded thrilling to me until i had met this bunch of like minded people and it hasn't let me down by the time we got done with the drive to disperse our ways back home. As the plan materialized, New friendships were formed, ideas on road-trips were shared over the night and the places were explored together.

 

Hampi is a pot pouri of history, culture and definitely a backpacker's paradise.The weather is usually hot and dry in Hampi almost throughout the year. Here i share my experience, hoping that it would be of some help for the people planning to drive down to Hampi from Bangalore. 

 

When: October 2 - October 4 2015

Drive: Maruthi Suzuki swift

Fuel: Diesel

Distance: Approx. 350 kms (One way)

Travel time: 7 hours including breaks

Mileage: Avg. 18 Kmpl

Accommodation: Hotel Rock Regency, Hosepet.

Price: 1850/- INR per night (A/C Deluxe room)

 

Route 2015:

Usually there are two good routes to reach Hampi from Bangalore i.e; NH4 and NH7.

If you are starting your drive from Yeshwanthpur and around, suggested route would be to take the NH4 (Bangalore - Tumakuru - Hiriyur - Chitradurga - Hosepet - Hampi) --> 350kms

If your start point is around Electronic city or Koramangala or Whiteflied, hitting the NH7 would be a better option (Bangalore - Ananthapur - Ballari - Hampi) --> 370 kms.

Both the routes take a drive time of about 6-7 hours with a breakfast break in between if you are start off in the early hours.

Keep an eye on the huge speed breakers and heavy truck traffic.

Route taken:

Bangalore --> Tumakuru -->Hiriyur --> Chitradurga --> Hosepet --> Hampi

[karthik]

Places to Visit:

1) Vittala Temple Complex

2) Underground Shiva Temple

3) Virupaksha Temple

4) Anegundi on the Tungabadra river

5) Hampi Bazar

6) Hemakunta group of temples

7) Many other ruins scattered around.

 

We had reached Hosepet around 12 p.m at the 'Rock Regency Hotel' to meet the 'India-drive' men who drove down from Hyderabad. Had some delicious lunch at the restaurant in the Hotel together and made up our plan for the day after we rest down for the noon.

 

We drove down to a place by name 'Sandur' which is around 25 kms to the south of Hosepet.

Sighted the beautiful Narihalla river during the grey evening.

I call it 'Red Pearl'.. Our drive for the trip.

Friends from Hyderabad drove down the Polo

And they go posing on until the sky got dark

We drove back to our hotel by the late evening keeping it short for the day.

Last pic of Day-01 and Day-02 was all set to explore the scattered ruins of Hampi.

As the day started, we set our drive after the breakfast towards the Temple complex.

Our first visit was to the Virupaksha temple.

A closer view of the Virupaksha temple from the entrance.

 

[karthik]

Sasivekalu Ganesha temple is one matchless statue in Hampi.

This statue is 8 Feet tall and is located on the southern foothill of Hemakunta.

Various scattered ruins of Hampi

Gateway to the Temple Complex

As you walk, you will come across a maze of historicity

Ancient market place and plantation at Hampi

Hampi Tank Queen bath in the Hampi Village

Krishna Temple

 

[karthik]

Sight of the beautiful sky looking down at the ruins of Hampi

Reaching on the inside of the Krishna Temple

Ugranarasimha Temple

We then moved towards the 'Underground Shiva Temple'

 

[karthik]

Stairway down to the 'Underground Shiva Temple'

The sanctum area is very dark and during monsoon you may not be able to reach there

Majestic ruins of the lost era

There is small Shiva linga which probably always remains submerged.

Taking you back in time, this was definitely a world heritage site which was ruined

The queen's bath

Beautiful arches of the 'Lotus Palace'

The Elephant's stable

The 'ruins' at Hampi should be called the 'architectural miracles'

Ruins spread out over Hampi, This was once a village

 

[karthik]

Royal bath at the Hampi ruins

The route to the main attraction of Hampi i.e: Vittala Temple. You may either have to walk or take the public transport arranged by the tourism board.

Ruins of a Lake Temple

Entrance of the Vittala Temple.

Ancient ruins of the 'Stone Chariot' at Hampi inside the Vittala Temple

Last pic of the day on our way back to the Hotel.

Next morning, all set to drive back to Bangalore, we planned to cover up the Tungabadra dam too

We drove down to the Base of the Tungabadra dam which was about 20 kms from our hotel. We need to take the bus (public transport for tourists) up the hill to get a full view of the Tungabadra dam from the hilltop.

Having had a great time together with the mates from Hyderabad after the last visit to Tungabadra dam, we parted to drive back home with a bag full of memories.

 

[Gowtham]

karthik said:

Planning:

It was an extended weekend during the 1st week of October and I was waiting to explore some place for that weekend. Asked my friends about their plan for the upcoming weekend and that is when i knew about this group of weekend thrill seekers who hit to various destinations during the weekends which are relatively less explored and so I decided to join the 'India-drive' men for the weekend getaway.

Route taken:

Bangalore --> Tumakuru -->Hiriyur --> Chitradurga --> Hosepet --> Hampi

 

Pics were amazing and the views were breath taking and equally well narrated travelogue.

[varunc]

Good post Kartik and amazing pics. It was a really good trip and was nice knowing you, we need to plan more trips like this

[karthik]

Pics were amazing and the views were breath taking and equally well narrated travelogue.

Good post Kartik and amazing pics. It was a really good trip and was nice knowing you, we need to plan more trips like this

Thank you guys

@varun : yeah looking forward to meet you guys again :cool:

[Naveen1]

Awesome pictures karthik.

Very well written.No need buy a guide at Hampi. :clap:

[karthik]

driveking said:

Awesome pictures karthik.

Very well written.No need buy a guide at Hampi. 

Thank you drive king.

Still it is better to buy a guide at Hampi, it gives you overall idea.

[shammy]

Wonderful photography Karthik. We have covered all the places from the list except underground shiva temple. Your pictures explained everything what we missed.

[karthik]

shammy said:

Wonderful photography Karthik. We have covered all the places from the list except underground shiva temple. Your pictures explained everything what we missed.

Thank you 

It is tough to cover Hampi in 2 Days.

Though you can cover all the major attractions but still you miss on some unknown/hidden places.

[etoor]

Hampi is a place i want to visit since ages.. this will certainly help me plan my trip.. thanks for sharing

[karthik]

Hampi is a place i want to visit since ages.. this will certainly help me plan my trip.. thanks for sharing

Hampi is a place full of architectural miracles. Avoid this place during peak summer as you need to cover lot of ground on your foot.