As soon as I came to South India, I wanted to visit the remains of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi. Finally, the day came when I made the plan.
It all started with a midnight bus from Bangalore to Hampi. (It was an exciting experience for someone with a deep interest in history and an admiration for the Vijayanagara Empire and the great witty poet Pandit Tenali Ramakrishna).
Six hours later, I arrived. As soon as I got off the bus, I was greeted by Rocky. He was an auto-taxi owner who gave us a fair deal, promising to cover every single area in Hampi and drop us back at the bus stand. That is how he became our companion for the rest of the journey.
(If you are planning to visit Hampi, you can reach Rocky directly at 9019172662).
Walking Through History at Virupaksha Temple
I was tired, so we reached the hotel first to freshen up. After that, we decided to visit the Virupaksha Temple. To get there, we had to cross Hampi Bazaar.
The entire area was surrounded by old monuments, and I was thrilled to finally see the remains of the Vijayanagara Empire firsthand. Standing there, you can easily imagine how vast and rich the empire must have been at its peak.
I could feel the energy of walking through a place where great rulers and thinkers laid down the foundation of a golden era. Soaking in that atmosphere, we finally entered the sacred complex of the Virupaksha Temple, where the intricate stone carvings seemed to whisper stories from centuries past.
Where Legends Walked: Beyond the Witty Poet
Walking among these stones monuments brought back childhood memories. Earlier, Tenali Rama was just a witty poet and comedy hero for me.
But as I grew up, I came to know more about him as one of the elite “Ashtadiggajas” of the royal court. He was not only a witty poet, but a hardworking, talented scholar from a small village in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, who became a key part of the administration.
Along with him, the royal priest Tatacharya, the great ruler Krishnadevaraya, and Mahamantri Timmarasu all played vital roles in strengthening the empire.
Tatacharya sacrificed his life many times to safeguard the territory and taught many things to Tenali Rama, who was deeply rooted in ethics, values, and strong principles. Walking the very path they walked gave me an incredible sense of connection to their legacy.
The Indo-Islamic Architect of Lotus Mahal
As Rocky drove us into the Royal Enclosure, I found the Lotus Mahal. This building was quite amazing and perfectly reflected the identity of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The vibe here is entirely unique. Much more than just grand granite temples, this two-story pavilion blends Hindu architectural geometry with Islamic-style arches, looking remarkably like a partially opened lotus bud at the top.
When I was walking around it, I realized it wasn’t just built for aesthetic pleasure; it featured an ingenious internal water-cooling pipeline system designed to beat the intense Deccan heat for the royal ladies. Standing before it, I could easily visualize the rich lifestyle that once existed within these beautiful buildings.
The Submerged Mystique of the Underground Shiva Temple
One of the most beautiful stops on our route was the Prasanna Virupaksha Temple, commonly known as the Underground Shiva Temple. Because it was built below the surrounding ground level, the temple sanctum and its pillared halls are permanently semi-submerged in water.
Stepping down into the cool, dark stone corridors made it feel like uncovering a hidden secret. Moving through the shallow water to get a glimpse of the inner architecture adds even more amazing vibes to the exploration. It makes you wonder how the architects managed to channel water so perfectly into the structure centuries ago, keeping the deity perpetually cooled by the earth.
The Scale of Power: Mahanavami Dibba
Before leaving the royal boundaries, we stood before the massive Mahanavami Dibba.
It is basically a three-tiered stone platform is where King Krishnadevaraya used to sit on his gem-studded throne to witness the grand nine-day Navaratri celebrations, military parades, and games.
Climbing the steep stone steps brings you to one of the highest vantage points in the enclosure. The sides of the platform are a literal stone canvas, carved with scenes of royal hunts, foreign traders, dancers, and elephants. Standing on top, looking out across the vast, sprawling ruins of the palace foundations and the nearby stepped geometric Pushkarni tank, the true sheer scale and wealth of the empire hits you all at once.
Crossing the Tungabhadra to Vijaya Vittala
Next, we kept moving toward the deeper ruins of the empire. It was the most beautiful scene with stone mountains, a beautiful lake, and the best cool winds.
We crossed the historic Tungabhadra River to visit the iconic Vijaya Vittala Temple.
This beautiful environment speaks volumes about the victories and peak artistic achievements of the Vijayanagara kingdom. Seeing the legendary stone chariot and the musical pillars up close was an incredible moment that highlighted the absolute brilliance of ancient Indian craftsmanship.
Sunrise at the Birthplace of Hanuman: Anjanadri Temple
The next day, we crossed over to visit the Anjanadri Temple, known as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Climbing the steps to the top of the hill tested our stamina, but it was quite rewarding as it was the most auspicious area where the Lord Hanuman was born.
The raw beauty of the place was high above the plains and had breathtaking view of the entire Hampi town. Looking out over the river, the ruins, and the endless palm groves from that sacred peak was a spiritual vibe I will never forget.
The Trip Ended With Lots of Memories!
Finally, we headed back to the hotel to wrap up the journey and pack our bags. None of this trip would have been the same without Rocky.
He wasn’t just an auto driver; he was a companion who guided us through the history, the rocky terrain perfectly, and ensured we experienced the absolute best of Hampi before dropping us safely back at the bus stand for our return journey.
