Hampi is a
village in northern Karnataka State of India. It is located withing the ruins
of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the
city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an iportant religious center, housing
the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old
city. the ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi.
It was planned to be one of the
best trip. It was planned to go with many friend whose company I really enjoy.
It was planned well in advance. The numbers of people supposed to go for this
trip were 10. Trip was planned by me. It was planned for one of my very good
friend because that one of my friend is getting married in January 2013 and we
all wanted to have one trip before it. When the days came closer, many of them
refused because of some or the other reason. But I wanted to go for the trip.
At the end I was confused whether I should go alone or not. Then I decided to
go alone. And that was the best thing I did. I went alone. It would not have
been possible to enjoy so much if I would have gone with anyone else. Train
tickets were booked for 10 people. I cancelled all tickets except mine. I
booked one room for me at Gowri Guest House at Hampi. Generally, when I go for
trip, I try to avoid doing things which I do in my general routine (like going
to malls, watching TV, etc.). But at the same time I can’t live without
following cricket. At that time, T20 world cup was in progress. So, while booking
my room, I just asked whether it will be possible to watch a cricket match as
there was India vs Pakistan match and I got positive reply and I booked the
guest house. My review for this guest house is available on following link:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g319725-d1976150-r142123811-Gowri_Guest_House-Hampi_Karnataka.html
My journey from Pune was to
start at around 01:10 hours on 29th September, 2012. I got
stuck in the office because of some work. I left from office at 10:30 pm, asked
my friend to drop me at station and reached there by time. I reached Hubli at
around 01:00 pm on 29th September, 2012. Then I caught the bus
to Hospet. I was in constant contact with the owner of the guest house. He
asked me to get down at Hosalli Cross on the way to Hampi. It was around 3 hour
journey. He came to pick me up at that point as guest house was around 10 km
away from that point. The person (owner of the guest house) was looking very
scary as he was in entirely black clothes with beard. His look was little
scary, but I found him very kind person in reality during that 10 km bike
journey from Hosalli cross to guest house. I reached at guest house at around
06:30 pm, and sun was already set. The guest house was located in Sanapur
village, 4 km away from Hampi. There was a beautiful reservoir just beside the
guest house. After reaching at the house, immediately I headed to reservoir
with my camera. The sky was blue and there were little colors in the sky, and I
tried to capture them. Result was not bad.
After clicking 2-3 photographs, I
returned back to guest house. I had tasty homemade dinner and then I tried to
sleep. But, power got cut and it was little hot inside room and wasn’t much
comfortable to sleep. There was swing just outside room, and I went there. It
was such an awesome experience to be alone at such a beautiful place in the
middle of rice fields under the beautiful sky. I tried to sleep on the swing,
but after few minutes, heavy wind started, and after there was a very heavy
rain, and so I had to go inside the room. But luckily, electricity came back,
and finally I had a decent sleep. I had to finish my entire sightseeing in one
and half days. Plan was to start early in the morning on 30th September,
and finish most of the places on the same day which are on the other side of
Tungabhadra river. I hired a bike and left for sightseeing at around 08:30 am
after wonderful breakfast of Poori and Bhaji.
On the route to main Hampi, I had to
cross the Tungabhadra river which is the shortest route to reach Hampi from
Sanapur and which I did in the ferry with my bike. It was again an exciting
experience. The whole Hampi is a beautiful place to see. The ancient temples in
the ruined condition are worth to see. I had to come back to river crossing
point by 04:30 pm as last ferry leaves at that time. But I finished early and
returned to that point at around 03:30 pm.
After reaching guest house, I went to
Sanapur reservoir to see the sunset and click some photos. After that, there
was India vs Pakistan match which I saw at the guest house restaurant with
dinner. Then I spent the night sleeping at the room. The main attraction on 2nd day
was Anjanadri Hill where it is believed that Lord Hanuman was born. The climb
to the top of the hill was little difficult because of steep slopes, but the
view from there was so awesome that I felt refreshed. I had to finish my
remaining sightseeing in half day and had to catch the train for Hubli at 04:15
pm from Munirabad railway station which I finished in time and went to
Munirabad by bus after having lunch at guest house. I spent the night at hotel
in Hubli and had to catch the train to Pune on 02nd October at
06:35 am by which I reached Pune at around 09:00 pm.
Here are the few photos which I
clicked during my entire trip !!!
Sanapur Reservoir, Sanapur, Hampi !!!
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Those small huts are part of Gowri Guest House, Hampi !!!
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Vitthala Temple Complex !!!
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Wheels of Stone Chariot !!!
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Stone Chariot, Vitthala Temple Complex !!!
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Vitthala Temple Complex !!!
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The ruins of Hampi !!!
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Stepped Tank !!!
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Krishna Temple !!!
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Lotus Palace !!!
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Elephant Stable !!!
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Ugra Narsinha !!!
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Huge Shiva-Linga !!!
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Sanapur Lake !!!
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Monolithic Bull !!!
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Virupaksha Temple seen from Hemkata Hill !!!
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Ganesha Idol !!!
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Sanapur Lake !!!
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Hut for stay at Gowri Guest House !!!
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View from Anjanadri Hill !!!
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View from Anjanadri Hill !!!
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View from Anjanadri Hill !!!
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View from Anjanadri Hill !!!
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Farmers at work, Hampi !!!
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My bike !!!
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Sanapur Lake !!!
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Me at Hemkata Hill, Hampi !!!
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P.S.: Indeed, that was my one of the best trips. It would not have been so awesome if I would not have gone alone !!! :)