Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Sri Virupaksha Temple is easily one of the oldest places to visit in Hampi. Built in the 7th century, the Hindu temple is still functional and is one of the oldest living temples in India.
“The stone that this temple is made of is so beautiful that it appeared to be changing colours on its own throughout the day,” Sumit Madhavan, a 25-year-old from Kerala who visited the site last month, tells South First.
Vijaya Vittala Temple An architectural masterpiece, it is one of the largest historical structures in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Vittala.
The Vittala Temple lies partially ruined, as the central western hall of the temple was ruined long ago during the Mughal invasion that led to the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565 CE.
Besides being an absolute visual feast, the dam is central to Hampi as it caters to almost every crucial function, including electricity generation and irrigation.
The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, houses the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, and portrayed as a half lion and half human sitting in a cross-legged position with a fierce expression.
The Riverside ruins can end up surprising many tourists who probably won’t expect to see statues and ancient architectural structures scattered on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
“I reached the location on a hired coracle ride and got a much closer look at the Shiva Linga site. It was so calm and serene. This was the perfect ending to my trip,” Madhavan adds.