Plan your weekend: Ruins of Hampi are a delight to visit

The temples of Hampi, their monolithic sculptures and monuments, attract the tourists because of their workmanship. The main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two broad areas — the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram.

The 15th-century Virupaksha Temple is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. It is one of the oldest monuments of the town. The top of the temple rises about 50m from the ground and the main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva. The carvings on this temple give an insight into the architectural splendour achieved by the artisans of the Vijayanagar Empire.

The royal center is located between the Hampi Bazaar area and Kamalapuram. One can take a 2-km walk down to this area from the Hampi Bazaar. There are a number of tourist attractions, within the walled area of the royal center. The Lotus Mahal is an intricately designed pavilion within a walled compound, known as the Zenana Enclosure. This palace is a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its domed and vaulted ceiling.