Hotel
booking – check
Train
tickets – check
Bags,
camera – check, check and..Action!
My
better half and I boarded the 23:10 to Hampi from Nampally. We had chosen what
seemed to be the last daily train from Hyderabad station, both the station and us
were waiting for the train to come and catch up on our sleep!
Day1:
We
started the day in the morning with hot and oily samosas at Guntakal station. The
train reached Hospet Jn (the nearest town to Hampi) by around 10:30. We caught
an auto to the Hospet bus-stand, which is about 1.5 kms from the station and
boarded a bus to Hampi. They have buses every half an hour and we got
comfortable seats for the journey to the old temple city of Hampi.
The
hotel where we had reserved a room – Hotel Gowri is located on the other side
of the river; we took the ferry and rented a bike. Let me warn you here, that
the petrol is a hoarded commodity near the river, (as there is just a single
petrol pump in this side of the river) and could burn a hole in your pocket at
Rs.100 a litre! Apart from that, renting a bike is perhaps the best and most
economical way to explore Hampi on the other side of the river.
We
somehow drove through the narrow, busy, kuccha
streets of Hampi and onto the main road, almost four kilometers in all to reach
our quaint hotel by noon. The hotel is run by a father-son duo, warm and
host-ly (I guess that is what brings them more customers, who are ready to take
the long ride). The lush, green paddy fields smiled at us from the yard of our
‘bamboo hut’, energizing us with their freshness. We lunched at the hotel; they
serve good, home-cooked food. We planned to tour this side of Hampi first.
 |
| Bamboo huts - Hotel Gowri, view from Sanapur Lake |
We
set off on our rented bike (a TVS Excel) on a 14km trip, the farthest point
being Chintamani Temple (famous for Lord Rama’s feet carved in stone and the
spot where Vali and Sugreeva fought). We next headed to Durga temple, which is
located on a hill-top. Tired out by the scorching heat, we paused for our usual
siesta, this time on the rocks at the foot of the hills. We rode next to Pampa
Sarovar; the place has two small ponds and a temple of Goddess Laxmi. The now
agreeable sun reminded us that we better pay him a visit as he sets down for
the day. We drove forward to Anjani Parbat and climbed up a challenging 580
rock-cut steps to reach the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. There are temples
dedicated to both the Lord and his mother. The mountain-top is a much sought-after
sunset spot, which offers a splendid view of the fields and the hillocks below.
Definitely worth the climb! (And the only way to manage the climb is either to
count the steps or chant Hanuman Chalisa; I leave it to your imagination on
what we chose).
It’s
practically difficult to drive around in Hampi after 6 pm, given that there are
almost no street lights and that you’ve to fight swarms of flies against your
face instead of just the wind!
Having
enough taste of adventure for the day and with no eagerness to taste flies, we
went back to hotel and dined. We tucked in early, with the sound of the crickets
chirping in the fields as our lullaby!!
Day
2:
We
breakfasted, rode to the Boat Point and took a ferry across (it costs Rs.10 per
head one way). The moment our boat reached across, atleast 8-10 auto rickshaw
drivers were trying to get their savaari. Be warned! For their target customers
are usually foreigners and they tend to charge you quite a bit; you can find
cheaper rides near the Hampi bazaar
covering the same spots. An auto rickshaw ride is the best way to travel if you
are on a short visit.
We
took a full-day tour package which covered the Ganesha temples, Lakshmi
Narasimha Temple, Bidavilinga, Krishna temple & Krishna bazaar, Siva temple built by the emperor
for his parents, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, museum & watch Tower,
Hazarerama Temple & Pan bazaar,
ruins of old palace & the newly built stepped pushkarni and the Queen’s bath. We stopped for lunch at ‘Food
Point’, a vegetarian dhaba with stone tables and mats instead of chairs.
 |
| Elephant Stables |
Post
lunch, we headed to the world heritage-UNESCO protected Vittala Temple (which
has the famous stone chariot that comes to one’s mind when one hears the word
‘Hampi’). The temple is situated about 2km away from the gate; the
archaeological authorities have battery operated cars which take you to the
entrance of the temple. The temple complex has a lot of architectural marvels
and history to it.
There
are plenty of shops in and around all these spots, where you can stop for a
lime soda, sugarcane juice (a must-have) or a popsicle to beat the heat.
Day
3:
We
took a walk in the morning to Sanapur Lake (more a dam than a lake), which is
very near to our hotel. We checked out from the hotel and went for a long ride
by the fields before returning our loyal bike. Took a ferry across and killed
time by shopping in Hampi bazaar. The
Lambada women sell hand-crafted jewelry and bags; available only on this side
of the river. I bought a couple of bracelets as a memoir :) We lunched and
boarded a bus to Hospet, walked to the station, and boarded the train back
home.
A few things which may come in use to
travelers:
a)
Most
temples located on the other side of the river are active, you may want to pack
chappals instead of shoes, not much trekking to do here except for the Anjani
Parbat.
b)
All
temples located on the main side except the Virupaksha temple are now
monuments. Footwear is permitted inside the shrines as well.
c)
Petrol
is available in local shops on the other side of the river at Rs.70-80 per
litre.
d)
Many
restaurants and hotels serve hot and refreshing chai in tall glasses-must try.
e)
Carry
enough cash with you; most places do not accept cards.
f)
Check
the weather before you pack; light clothing would be a good choice for the
humid daytime and woolens/heavy clothing for the night.
