Hospet: Gateway To The Ancient Vijayanagara Empire!

For a heritage vacation in the southern part of India, Hospet would be one of the ideal choices you can have. Vijayanagara is the other popular name of this particular city. This city belongs to the south Indian state of Karnataka in the territory of India.

Proximity to the river of Tungabhadra also accentuates the spiritual and visual qualities of the city of Hospet. Hosapete is the other pronunciation variant of the city. If you are traveling from the city of Hampi in the same state of Karnataka, there is only a distance of 13 km in order to reach the destination of the city of Hospet.

This city has also got international significance since it is listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Some of the Best places to visit in Hospet have been discussed below. 

Best Places To Visit In Hospet

Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

This is a spiritual as well as heritage destination you can visit while touring the city of Hospet in Karnataka. Golden hours of the day would be the best time to visit this particular temple complex. Tourists mostly choose these time slots since the sunrise and sunset of this location are breathtakingly beautiful.

Just like the name of the temple suggests, it is located on the top of a hill and you need to undergo a small hike to reach the destination of the temple. Shiva devotees among the Hospet tourists are quite particular about visiting this temple in the city. 

Elephant Stables

Elephant Stables found in the city of Hospet are also something having due historical and heritage prominence. These structures are unique and tourists often express curiosity to visit the location and click pictures.

The architecture of these Elephant Stables is also quite attractive on account of the subtle blend of Indian and Islamic styles found in the same. During the days of the Vijayanagara Empire, the royal elephants were kept in these stables which again increases the tourism importance of the stables.

5:30 in the evening is the closing time of the stables and if you are planning to visit the location, make sure you plan according to the schedule. 

Matanga Hill

Matanga Hill is situated in the Hampi region of the city of Hospet. You need to travel to the Hampi Bazaar and the towards its eastern end in order to reach the destination of this particular hill. If you have the physical fitness to ascend the hill and reach the top of it, you can have the most beautiful view by touring the city.

The ruined city of Vijayanagara would unfold before you in not-that-faded colors and glory. The top point of the hill of Matanga is also the highest in the entire territory of the city of Hampi.

Adventure enthusiasts would love exploring this hill and also the viewpoint. You may take an average of 30 minutes to 45 minutes in order to reach the top of the hill. 

Hazara Rama Temple

Hazara Rama shrine is an important Hindu temple in the city of Hospet. As the name of the temple suggests, Hindu Lord, Rama is the main deity of the temple. The entire temple is built with carving stones, spiced up with a supreme aesthetic sense.

Hence aestheticians, artists, designers, and even modern-day architects make it a point to visit this particular Rama temple in the city of Hospet. During the days of the Vijayanagara Empire, this temple was only visited by the royal family members.

If you are already aware of the stories and legends in the Hindu epic Ramayana, you would be able to comprehend the pictures carved on the pillars of the temple with much ease. 

Vittala Temple

This is another temple of significance located on the Hampi side of the city of Hospet. Architectural excellence is the major thing attracting tourists to the location of the temple. The compound wall and the other protective barriers surrounding the temple are also so grand enhancing the importance of the temple in the tourism, historical, and heritage contexts.

The gateway towers of the temple are also something having due importance concerning the visual appeal of the temple.

The pavilions and halls located inside the temple complex are also elements indicating the glory and splendidness of the Vijayanagara Empire during its golden period. Lord Vishnu is the main deity worshipped inside the temple during its functional days. 

Ugra Narasimha Temple

Ugra Narasimha Temple is also a favorite heritage temple destination for tourists visiting the city. You can see a statue of Ugra Narasimha in the location of this particular temple complex. This statue has also got the peculiarity of being the biggest one in the city of Hampi.

The presence of the snake called ‘Seshanaga’ also accentuates the attractiveness of the statue and the destination as well. Krishnadevaraya was the one who took efforts to build such a temple in the city of Hampi.

The building material of the statue is granite which again reinstates the richness of the Vijayanagara Empire during those days. Believers of Hinduism always make it a point to visit this temple and indulge in the visual appeal of the statue while visiting the city of Hampi. 

Virupaksha Temple

This is also a Hindu shrine located in the territory of the city of Hampi. Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped in this particular temple. Virupaksha is the name of the form of Lord Shiva worshipped in this temple location. Sometimes, it is also referred to as Pampa Pathi.

Along with Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi is also worshipped in this temple. This temple location is also significant in an international context since it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Chalukya Dynasty is behind the planning and construction of this temple in the city of Hospet. 

Best Time To Visit Hospet

November – February 

How To Reach Hospet?

Nearest airport: Hubli Airport

Nearest railway station: Hosapete Junction Railway Station (HPT)

Conclusion 

A great choice to enjoy Indian heritage destinations of international importance.

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