Deriving its name from Pampa River, Hampi is a village in the northern part of Karnataka. Karnataka is one of the four famous Indian states in the south. Hampi is situated all through the ruins of Vijayanagar, capital of the powerful Vijaynagar Empire. Hampi is believed to be older than Vijayanagar. Since olden times its value as a religious center has not diminished. It houses the Virupaksha temple.
Hampi Map
Hampi stretches well into the streets of Vijayanagar. Hampi in fact houses the Vijayanagar ruins as the Group of Monuments lately declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Hampi relates to the pre-historic saga of monkey kingdom Kishkindha (once the most famous empire on the face of earth). A long time after the fall of the empire, the city had been put to ruins by Islamic intruders who were against idolatry. The Archaeological Survey of India has been carrying out excavations to find more of historical artifacts and fossil ruins.
Hampi is under stress from vested interests in mining. Lately there has been a boom in the market of iron-ore owing to international deficits. Hampi and the entire Tungabhadra region are thus bearing the brunt of excessive mining.
Bangalore to Hampi
In terms of distance from eminent places, Hampi is not very ideally located. Bangalore is a far cry almost 353 kilometers apart. Bijapur and Bellary are 254 and 74 kilometers apart.
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