Beyond the Open-Air Museum
Beyond the Open-Air Museum
Hampi is not your run-of-the-mill travel destination. The ruins of the Vijaynagara Empire cast an eerie beauty over this quiet town making even the most impassive tourist believe in time travel. The five-tiered gopuram (gateway) of the Vitthala complex, the royal elephant stables, the sweet-sounding pillars of the Sangeetha Mandapam, the sprawling royal palace, the fractal architecture of the 7th century Virupaksha Temple, have all stood the test of time transforming Hampi into an al fresco museum. Whether you’re a history lover or not, Hampi’s architectural wonders capture the imagination. But there is more to this sleepy town than the