This trip is very close to my heart. It is beautiful and it is historic, leaves everyone nothing less than awestruck. We took the train at 9:30PM from Bangalore to travel 2nd class. We reach Hospet station at around 7:30am. The breakfast options around the station look just fine. Once done with it, we walked about 100 mts and took the local bus to Hampi. The ruin city is an amazing view for your eyes.
With my usual homework done, we checked into the Shanthi Guest guest house. We hired a guide to look around the ruins and get a good glance into history. We finished our Saturday going around looking at the historic monuments and temples of Hampi. Here, I would suggest guide assistance is a must to pour information and stories that speak secrets of the VijayanagarKingdom. We visited the vast area of 14th and 15th-century palaces and temples that was once the wealthy capital of a huge Hindu empire consisting of the Vithala Temple, the monkey temple, the elephant stable, the Sula Bazaar, the zananna enclosure, the Achyutaya Temple, the huge Ugra Narasimha Statue, the balakrishna Temple, the monolith Bull and the ganesha Temple, the queens bath and the remains of the old palace. We retired the Saturday by evening.
We were sore tired and fulfilled with the historical moments we had. Once we freshened up, we called for a break and relaxation time at the Mango Tree. Mango tree is one of the most naturally beautiful restaurants I have come across. When we walk by the river side for about ten minutes, we get a small door sign of Mango Tree. Once inside we walk through the banana plantation mud road and finally come to our destination. After the day long walking through the ruins of Hampi, this is the best that you can get in this side of the river. They served awesome food, amazing coolers and super refreshing ginger-lemon tea. I just loved seating on the bamboo mat for hours together looking onto the beautiful river and the changing colour of the sky with the sunset. With evening comes darkness and every low table is lighted with Hurricane lamps. Beautiful, nothing can be as serene as this finally when its time to go home, the host comes and talks to you and guides you to the main road with a torch through the banana plantation. We finished the day early.
The next morning was real eary at 4:30am. We were off to the Mathanga Hills to see the sunrise. It is a very steep trek uphill with tremendous wind to blow someone off the cliff results into a difficult one. There are a few steps to start with, but, gradually we found ourselves clinging onto the rocks and climbing. Proper pair a trekking shoes or barefoot is the best. Once we were up, it was completely worth it to visualize the panorama view of the ruin city, by the Tungabhadra river going alive with the sunlight. The monkeys are continuous entertainment and one can sit there indefinitely looking around. After coming down from the Matanga Hills, we finished our breakfast and visited the Virupaksha Temple Complex. Once done, we crossed the river in small boat at a minimum price and walked our way to a food joint called the Laughing Buddha. The sky turned cloudy and it was about to rain. We sat and enjoyed our Jimi Hendrix play in the background with chilled beer and awesome continental food.
6:00pm and the last ferry crosses the river to take us back as we cherish the weekend we spent in Hampi. We headed back to Hospet and took the 7:30pm train back to Bangalore.
To remember, Hampi is a no alcohol and vegetarian place. Please carry cash. There is no credit card system yet!
