A road trip from Bangalore to Hampi

Places to visit

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the glorious past of the Vijayanagar empire. It is a place where history, culture, and nature come together to create a magical experience. If you are looking for a weekend getaway from Bangalore, Hampi is a perfect destination. You can explore the ancient ruins, admire the stunning architecture, enjoy the scenic views, and immerse yourself in the local culture.

In this blog post, I will share with you how I planned and executed a road trip in car from Bangalore to Hampi in 3 days. I will also give you some tips and suggestions on what to see, do, and eat along the way.

# Day 1: Bangalore to Hampi

I started my journey from Bangalore at around 8:30 AM. I took the NH48 and NH50 route via Chitradurga and Kudligi. This route is about 360 km long and takes about 7.5 hours to reach Hampi. The road condition is good for most of the part, except for some stretches where roadworks are in progress. The drive is also scenic, especially towards the end of the journey.

On the way, I stopped at a small lake for some photo ops. I also had lunch at one of the restaurants near Chitradurga bypass. There are many options for food and refreshments along this route.

I reached Hampi by 2:30 PM and checked in at Hyatt Place Hampi. This is a luxurious hotel located in Vidyanagar township, about 15 km from Hampi. The hotel has spacious rooms, a swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant, and a bar. It also offers a complimentary shuttle service to Hampi.

After resting for a while, I decided to explore Vidyanagar township. This is a planned township developed by JSW Steel for its employees and their families. It has many facilities like schools, hospitals, parks, malls, cinemas, etc. It also has some attractions like Tungabhadra Dam, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, and Sandur Palace.

I visited the Tungabhadra Dam first. This is a massive dam built across the Tungabhadra river that provides irrigation and electricity to the region. It also has a beautiful garden and a musical fountain show in the evening.

Next, I went to Daroji Bear Sanctuary. This is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 100 sloth bears. You can watch them from a watchtower or take a safari ride inside the sanctuary.

Finally, I visited Sandur Palace. This is a heritage palace that belongs to the royal family of Sandur. It has been converted into a museum that displays the history and culture of Sandur.

I returned to my hotel by 8 PM and had dinner at their restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was excellent.

# Day 2: Hampi Sightseeing

I woke up early and had breakfast at my hotel. Then I took the shuttle service to Hampi. Hampi is divided into two parts: the Sacred Centre and the Royal Centre. The Sacred Centre is where most of the temples and religious monuments are located. The Royal Centre is where most of the palaces and administrative buildings are located.

I decided to cover the Sacred Centre first. I hired an auto-rickshaw driver who agreed to show me around for Rs. 500. He was very knowledgeable and friendly.

The first place I visited was Virupaksha Temple. This is the oldest and most important temple in Hampi. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampa Devi. It has a tall gopuram (tower) that can be seen from far away. The temple complex also has many shrines, mandapas (halls), pillars, carvings, paintings, etc.

Next, I visited Hemakuta Hill. This is a rocky hill that has many small temples and structures on it. It offers a panoramic view of Hampi and its surroundings. It is also a good place to watch the sunset.

Then I visited Vittala Temple. This is the most famous and magnificent temple in Hampi. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Vittala form (a form of Krishna). It has many architectural marvels like the stone chariot, the musical pillars, the kalyana mandapa (wedding hall), etc.

# Day 3: Hampi Sightseeing and Return to Bangalore

I had breakfast at my hotel and checked out. I took the shuttle service to Hampi again. This time, I decided to cover the Royal Centre. I hired a bicycle from Hampi Bazaar for Rs. 100 and started exploring.

The first place I visited was Queen's Bath. This is a historic bathing chamber used by the royals and their guests. It has a rectangular pool surrounded by ornate balconies and arches.

Next, I visited Lotus Mahal. This is a palace that resembles a lotus flower in its shape and design. It was used by the royal ladies for recreation and relaxation. It has a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture.

Then I visited Elephant Stables. This is a large building that housed the royal elephants. It has 11 domed chambers with arched entrances. It is one of the well-preserved structures in Hampi.

After that, I visited Hazara Rama Temple. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama that was used by the royal family for worship. It has many carvings depicting scenes from Ramayana on its walls.

Finally, I visited Mahanavami Dibba. This is a huge platform that was used for celebrating festivals and ceremonies by the kings. It has many sculptures of animals, dancers, soldiers, etc. on its sides.

I returned my bicycle and took the shuttle service back to my hotel. I collected my luggage and drove back to Bangalore. I took the same route as before and reached Bangalore by 8 PM.

I had an amazing road trip from Bangalore to Hampi in 3 days. I enjoyed the drive, the stay, and the sightseeing. Hampi is a place that transports you to a different era and makes you appreciate the beauty and grandeur of our past.

If you are planning a road trip from Bangalore to Hampi, I hope this blog post helps you in planning and executing it. Do let me know your feedback and suggestions in the comments section below.

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