Hampi - Riverside Ruins & Other Temples (Ballari - Karnaraka)

Ahead from the Varaha Temple, we headed to the Narasimha Temple. This requires a slight trek onto a barren hillock and the first thing you'd spot is the Deepa Sthamba (the pole for lamps) and a two storied mandapa. Beside it, almost submerged into the ground is the Narasimha Temple (this is different from the monolith Narasimha!). As the rest, this too has no idols inside. It was closed but the lathe pillars made of black stone were a visual delight. This has a major Hoysala inspiration here with those perfectly cylindrical pillars!

Next our stop was the Hastagiri Ranganatha Temple. This was just at the base of the barren hill, making the hill, the back wall of the sanctum sanctorum! The Lord inside is a standing Vishnu flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi and as usual, defaced! There is a small mandapa in front of it! Just beside is another Rama Temple and this is still in worship!
Further ahead towards the riverside, is the Kodandarama Temple and in front of it is the Coracale Ride! Remember I told you about a coracle in my Talakkad trip? We didn't take the trip on coracle, however if trekking is to be avoided, this coracle trip is the best way to explore the river side ruins!


From the river, the next day we headed to the hills! Behind the Malyavanta Temple, is the gorgeous view of the whole of Hampi!!! Here were also several Siva Lingam and Nandi carved as relief sculptures on the ground and a tiny Siva temple as well. 

The Malyavanta Raghunatha temple's sanctum sanctorum has relief sculptures of Rama and Lakshmana sitting and Sita standing and Hanuman kneeling beside them, on a huge boulder. The actual temple was built around the boulder and a small shikara has been built atop the boulder as vimana!!! 
Our next stop was close to Lakshmi Narasimha Temple & Badavilinga Temple - the Krishna Temple. This was built in 1513 soon after Krishna Deva Raya won the battle at Orissa. The Bala Krishna in the sanctum sanctorum was brought here from Udayagiri in Orissa, which is not there like all other temples! 

The Maha Mandapa pillars are indeed exquisite! Esp one of it has the relief sculpture of all the 10 Dasavathara in it! Bang opposite to it, is the Krishna Bazaar!



Later in the evening, we climbed the Hemakuta Hill to watch the aerial view of Virupaksha Temple and watch the exquisite sunset in this location.

The Hemakuta hill itself has several small temples and shrines in it, most of which I didn't check out. The crowd that assembles here, both locals and foreigners, to watch the sunset is just so much!!! But still, the space is so vast that you won't feel the crowd!!!

My complete (all posts of) Hampi Travelogue: Zenana Enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple, Royal Enclosure, Achyuta Raya & Varaha Temples, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Monolith Sculptures, Riverside ruins, Malyavanta Hills & other temples, Anegundi Pre-Historic Rock Art, Discoveries & Musings 

To Get There:
From Bangalore: 343km via NH48 & NH50
From Hyderabad: 373km via NH44
From Goa: 316km via NH67
From Pattadakkal (another UNESCO site): 135km via NH50
From Orange County Resort: 9km
Map of all important sites: hampi.in

These sites are covered in The  Tungabadhra Trek, Virupaksha Trail & Vittala Trail organized as a guided tour by Orange County Resort.
Each trail costs Rs.1000/- per head as a group.
If you want it exclusive just for you it costs Rs.4000/- for 2 trails (+ Rs.1000/- incl vehicle).
If you want a guide for yourself for the whole day it costs Rs.8000/-

Otherwise, KSTDC certified guides (they carry an ID card mentioning the same) can be hired at the Tourism Office or Ticket Office located in the premises of Virupaksha Temple, Sasivekalu Ganesha and Vittala Temple. The prices are Rs.1200 for 2-3hrs and Rs.1700 for 5-6hrs for upto 3 persons. For a larger group, the price would be higher. Also they are highly adaptable to your requirements / interest area etc and they could also meet you at your hotel and begin from there!
Ph no: of Prakash, one of the certified guides: +91 94820 61626

Dedicated to Venkat

Bhushavali

An ardent traveler by passion. Being an ex - Art History Teacher, my area of interest especially lies in Nature and Heritage. Visited 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of June 2022. I've been listed among the Top 7 Women Travel Bloggers of India, Top 50 in UK. I have been interviewed in a couple of TV Shows, Radio Channels and Events as well. Read more about me and read the testimonials of different brands

33 comments:

  1. I really enjoy reading your posts about the temples. It's great to see all the pictures about this place. It's very useful that you include how to get there as well.

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  2. Wow, this is truly awesome place to visit. I love all your photos as it speaks about this beautiful place. I've never been here, but you're bringing me here by reading your blog post. Thank you so much for sharing! Your photos are really awesome as well.

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  3. What an amazing trip. It reminded me of the temple hopping I did in Cambodia. You fell like an archeologist running around on your own adventure. Thank you for posting!

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  4. What a lovely place!! I really love these ruins of temples !! Awesome shots as always!!

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  5. I enjoy your series on these temples that I've never heard of before! So nice to learn something new every time I stop by :) And wow that is one glorious sunset!

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  6. Hampi has been on my bucketlist for such a long time ... somehow, haven't been able to get there as yet. I love the boulders ... natures magic. And oh ... I need a picture with the chariot!

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  7. I love going on a temple tour and learning about the stories of the different gods and goddess. It is pretty fun even just for photography. I love the Malyavanta Temple especially - it is quite a site in itself!

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  8. I am going to bookmark this post of yours for my October Hampi trip! Thanks for sharing all the important information including an official tour guide's contact number :)

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  9. A great architectural wonder from India. Loved the pics. Makes for a great road trip from India.

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  10. I'm always so mesmerised by the intricate detail. Your photos show the rich and wonderful architecture of India. Everytime I read your articles I'm like damn girl get yourself to India now!

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  11. It is nice that you know the background of these temples. Is there a guided tour when you visit this place? I will not be able to notice the details of the sculptures probably on my own. This kind of place has so much history. I would have to do a bit of research if I were to visit this place someday.

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  12. Looks really cool! The temples fascinate me so much and they always look so interesting. Its good that you have to pay for the trails as I feel it keeps it safer in a way!

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  13. The details in the temples in India are always beautiful. I bet you feel like you have stepped back in time whilst exploring these incredible temples and ruins. I really hope I get to experience it for myself one day!

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  14. Hampi is treasure trove of art, architecture and history and its shame we haven't been there yet. The carving and sculptures of the temples are stunningly beautiful and exemplifies the past glory. Malyavanta Raghunatha temple and the Lakshmi Narasimha temple are remarkable.

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  15. Very interesting to see more historical treasures of Hampi in this post. There is really so much to see in this place so a trip there would really be worth a history buff's time.

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  16. I'm so jealous that you got to visit all these amazing temples!! As usual, the carvings are just exquisite :D

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  17. It looks like you had a great trip with a lot of things to explore! This temples have an amazing and beautiful architecting.

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  18. India is still on my bucket list and your post makes me to check it off as soon as possible. Posts about India usually make me so nervous while wishing to pack my bags immediately and take next flight to India!

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  19. Yet another post about Hampi! The creativity shown in the carvings on these temples and pillars is truly remarkable! It seems that there is no end to the inventive designs. And the sunset is gorgeous too. I hope to see this for myself one day.

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  20. I love the last sun set photo. It's scenic and really gives a nice sendoff after seeing the temple.

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  21. Another article to bookmark on Hampi! Yay! Great one again:) Did you to the coracle ride? And visit the paddy fields? The sun set pic just stole my heart!

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  22. Climbing Hemakuta hill is amazing for those views of the sunset and the splendid Virupaksha temple. Hampi, a place so close to my heart!

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  23. What an awesome place to explore! The temples look fantastic, would love to get the camera out around here! Love the details of the carvings :)

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  24. I am reading so many of your Hampi posts. Guess it's a signal to book a trip to the place. Thanks for putting it on my wanderlust list :)

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  25. the pictures are so beautiful! I'm from Karnataka and have never been here, obviously missing out! :)

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  26. The trek up to Narasimha Temple sounds interesting, I hope it's not too hot! I'm impressed with the 360 degree view you've added, this gives me a better feel of Hampi. I think I'd go with a guide because they would know some unique angles from which to shoot Hampi.

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  27. That's beautiful! Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple looks gorgeous, with all its carvings on the outside - I love how detailed each of them are. And the sunset! Oh, it must have been stunning.

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  28. Awesome shots of the temples and that sunlight is making it more gorgeous.

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  29. The hardest climbs render the best views. Totally true for your post! I'm always in awe of the places you get to visit. The ancient architecture and ruins make for amazing pictures and even better experiences!

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  30. beautiful place to visit. I am planning to visit Hampi sometime next month and this post will come in handy for me. The pictures are really beautiful and I am in awe of the place already

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  31. I can imagine how majestic the temple is. Photos definitely don't do justice. I believe we will have to visit and see for ourselves to connect with the temple~

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  32. Amazing post.. very useful information..

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