Hampi Complete Travel Guide Series | Best Places To Visit And Things To Do In Hampi English Part- 04

Описание: Welcome back to episode 4 of our Hampi Exploration Series. Today, we’re diving into some of the most fascinating and sacred places in Hampi. We’ll be visiting Koti Lingas, the ancient Maha Vishnu Temple, Sri Krishna and Hanuman Ji Temples, the sacred Sita Kund, Sugreeva’s Cave, the King’s Balance, and much more. Plus, I’ll share the story behind a sacred wish tree, so stay tuned for that!
Before we get started, I hope you enjoyed the last episode where we explored the Achyutaraya Temple and the stunning views from Matanga Hill. If you haven’t watched that one yet, make sure to check it out after this video! And, of course, don’t forget to subscribe and click the bell icon so you don’t miss any future episodes.
Alright, let’s start with the Koti Lingas, one of the most hidden gems in Hampi. It’s tucked away between the Tungabhadra River and a hill, right across from the Kodanda Rama Temple and Chakra Teertha, which we explored back in episode 2. Now, Koti Lingas is a bit tricky to reach because this area is only accessible during the summer. When the river rises, all the lingas and nearby temples go underwater!
Here, you’ll find thousands of Shiva lingas carved on the flat surfaces of huge boulders. It’s incredible how beautifully they’re carved, each one unique. As you walk around, you’ll also see carvings of Nandi Bhagawan, God Parashurama, Hanuman Ji, and God Shiva with Nandi Ji. On the southern side, there’s a stunning carving of God Narasimha, and further along, an impressive Maha Vishnu in his Anantha Shayana posture or the reclining form of Maha Vishnu.
One of the most amazing parts here is the east side of the Koti Lingas, where you’ll find carvings of the Dashavatara—the 10 incarnations of God Vishnu. But what really stood out to me is the boulder in the center, which features 24 different manifestations of Maha Vishnu, with each avatar’s name carved under it. Imagine the devotion and artistry that went into creating these carvings!
Across the river, there’s an unknown, partially destroyed temple with a Nandi Ji Vigraha, so it’s likely an ancient God Shiva temple. From this spot, you can get a glimpse of the Kodanda Rama Temple in the distance. Climbing up a bit higher, you’ll find the ruins of another temple, where you can still see pieces of Nandi Ji scattered around. Like many temples in Hampi, this one was also destroyed during the invasions by the Deccan Sultanates. It’s heartbreaking to see how much of the brickwork on top has crumbled, leaving the walls in ruins. I was trying to imagine how grand and beautiful it must have been in its prime.
As we move forward, remember to walk carefully because the boulders can be a bit slippery. Walking barefoot is a good idea here.
Next, we’re heading to a temple complex that houses two temples—one for Hanuman Ji and the other for Sri Krishna. This is the Sri Raghunandana Teertha Moola Brundavana. What’s unique about this temple is the carved Sri Krishna murti on a huge rectangular stone.
There were so many harmless monkeys around, all of them just staring at me like I was a stranger trespassing in their kingdom! Their curious little faces made me feel like I was the new attraction in their territory.
The walkway here leads us to the famous Sita Kund, a sacred pond where it’s believed Goddess Sita once bathed. The energy of this place is so serene, and the connection to the Ramayana makes it even more special.
Right next to the pond is Sugreeva’s Cave, where, according to legend, he kept the ornaments of Goddess Sita, which she threw down from Ravana’s chariot when he kidnapped her. Inside the cave, you’ll find carvings of God Rama’s and Sugreeva’s footprints, marking the spot where they stood. It’s incredible to think about the history and stories connected to this place!
Our next stop is the Varaha Temple. You might expect this to be a God Vishnu Temple because of the name, but it’s actually dedicated to God Shiva! The name comes from the Varaha (boar) emblem of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, which you’ll see at the temple’s eastern entrance. Inside, there’s an ancient Shiva Linga and a partially destroyed Nandi Ji murti.

Nearby, you’ll find the ruins of two-story gateways and ancient temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and God Ganesha. Sadly, like many places in Hampi, these are also in a state of ruin. There’s another small, ancient temple called the Nammalwar Temple, dedicated to the Vaishnava saint-poet Nammalwar, but it doesn’t have any Vigrahas inside anymore.
That’s it for today’s journey! Hampi is full of such incredible history and sacred places, and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you all.
I’ll see you in the next episode as we continue exploring the wonders of Hampi!
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