Karnataka Heritage – 5 Days

Arrive at Bangalore airport and drive to Hampi. Enjoy lunch en route. Visit the impressive Chitradurga Fort housed in the old walled town. The fort is on the north eastern base of a cluster of rocky hills. Known as Yelu Suthina Kote, the fort is surrounded by seven circular walls, three of which are at the base of the hill and four on its slopes. The fort is said to have had 19 majestic doors, 38 smaller doors, 35 special entry points and four secret entrances. Visitors enter through four gateways of the outermost wall. The foothills of the fort constitute the main residential area of the town.

Hospet, another small South Indian town, forms the gateway to the magnificent World Heritage ruins of Hampi, formerly the great empire of Vijayanagar. Arrive and check-in at your hotel. Overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ruins of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hampi is charismatic even in its ruined state, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make the backdrop of Hampi unique. Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 + monuments.

“The City of Victory”–Vijayanagar or Hampi In the 13th century, markets overflowed with the richness of silks, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, spices and cotton. There were courtesans, be-jeweled with golden girdlesand anklets of gold and seed pearls. Historians Nuniz and Paes called it greater than Rome with palaces plated in jeweled gold and the best provided city in the world.

At first sight, Hampi or Vijayanagar looks like a giant play pen. 26 sq km of barren, desolate land, pierced by mammoth boulders in jagged and gentle shapes, scattered haphazardly. Founded in the middle of the 14th century by two Hindu princes, Hukka and Bukka, the Vijayanagar Empire rapidly grew as a showpiece of imperial magnificence, celebrated throughout Asia for its might and wealth.

Excavation at Vijayanagar was started in 1976 and is still continuing. Highlights include the Vittala Temple with its delicately chiseled Lotus Mahal in the women’s enclosure, the Watch Tower, guarded once by eunuchs from where royal maidens observed festivities, the queen’s bath and the elephant stables.

In the morning visit the ruins of Hampi which includes the Virupaksha, Vitthala, Raghunath and Narasimha temples.

Return to your hotel for lunch. After lunch, visit the Royal Enclosure, elephant stables and the Queen’s bath. Capture Hampi’s memorable sunset and return to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Overnight.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Drive for half an hour (approx. 20 Kms) and visit Pattadakal with its finely chiseled temples. It is located on the banks of the Malaprabha river and was a ceremonial center where Chalukyan kings were crowned. Not far away is Aihole, acclaimed as the “Cradle of Hindu Temple Architecture”. There are over a hundred temples scattered around the villages, the most impressive of which is the Durga Temple with its semi-circular apse.

Overnight at hotel in Badami.

After breakfast check out and enjoy sightseeing of Badami, the capital of the Chalukya dynasty has four marvelous cave temples situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. Amongst the highlights is the 18 armed Shiva striking 81 dance poses. Visit the Badami Cave and drive to Hospet. Arrive and check – in at your hotel.

Overnight.