Hampi the ancient ruin and the new Hippie Haven

Hampi an ancient empire, ruins of the past glory, a place where kings ruled and built temples of nobility. Holding in its history a string of nightmarish truths this place has come a long way. I have always been interested in the Sadhus, their philosophy, their way of living and ofcourse the “kavi vastra” – the saffron attire, these Sadhus throng Hampi. Hampi the capital of Vijayanagara empire is now the Hippie haven.

There is nothing more evasively consuming like the Gypsies of Hampi. A cult that was born during age old times, when travel was a way of living, a waywardly identity. 

Then there are the new age hippies who throng this ancient city. Hippies were brought to the fore by the American Hippie revolution , the flower power and more, the Morrison’s and Hoffman’s wrote along with their poems and speeches a way of looking at the world and life as a whole. This was in the 60’s but in India the Gypsies and the Hippies were always there. The Gypsies moved in caravans and did not hoard money. They lived on the go, on the road, they were performers artists, musicians, singers and most of them would be great at stitching and painting, all of which you can see as a living tradition in Hampi.

Just an overnight journey from Bangalore will take you to this magnificent place, hire a bike or a cycle and you are good to go. You can cycle around all the temples, sketch the ones you like, photograph away to glory and then relax at the “ Mango Tree” hotel where you can sit back and munch on delicacies under the shade overlooking the river. 

Annegundi is older than the ruins of Hampi and less commercialized, one can easily take a coracle ride across the river to this ancient and quiet place.

There are a few things around Hampi one can do, apart from spending time in the temples, shopping in the bazaars, meditating on the rocks , one can go on bikes or cycles and ride through the small lanes just a few kilometers off the town, these will lead you to large sunflower fields and no one will disturb your peace.

Hampi will provide enough for every kind of traveler.

How to get to Hampi –

By Bus – There are frequent buses from Bangalore to Hospet, which is 12 kilometers from Hampi. From there you can hire a rickshaw, even shared taxi to Hampi.

By Train – There are frequent trains from Bangalore to Hospet.

Best Time to Visit – October to Februrary when the heat isn’t at its peak and one can enjoy a pleasant weather.

Parinitha Konanur