Wild life in Hampi
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Daroji Bear Sanctuary
6 AM-Depart from Hyderabad and travel to Hampi
230 PM- Arrive at Daroji Bear Sanctuary near Hampi
We will visit a fascinating sanctuary for the Indian Sloth Bear here. Spread over 5500 hectares Daroji Bear Sanctuary was created in 1994 and is the first of its kind in Asia. Other than 150 Bears, other inhabitants of this reserve are Leopards, Hyena, Jackals, Wild boars, porcupine, Pangolins, Star tortoise, Monitor lizard, Mongoose, Pea fowls, Partridges, Painted spur hen and Quails.
Duration: 2 hours
Temples and sculptures of Hampi
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Badavi Linga is the biggest of all lingas in Hampi. It is made of black stone and rises 12 feet in height. A canal passes through it and hence it’s always in water.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
Statue of Ugra Narsimha
You can find the biggest idol of Hampi, a few feet from Badavi Linga. Ugra Narasimha is 22 feet in height and was carved by a Brahmin during Krishnadevaraya’s time. There is a serpent with open hood at the back.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Balakrishna Temple
We will also visit Balakrishna temple and then visit Hemunta hill. This hill has many ancient temples and is also a good place for sunset.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Virupaksha Temple
We visit the magnificent Virupaksha temple It is from the Hoysala period and is the oldest temple in Hampi. The temple tower has eleven storeys and goes up 165 ft in height. The river Tungabhadra flows inside.
Duration: 60 minutes
Royal structures of Hampi
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Vijaya Vittala Temple
Vijaya Vittala temple is probably the grandest masterpiece around. It is constructed on a polyhedron foundation. Right at the front is the world renowned stone chariot made of rough quartz. You will spot figures of soldiers, hunters and even foreign visitors like Portuguese and Arabs etched on the chariot. The musical pillars of the temple is one of the greatest work of art by mankind.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
King’s Balance is the next destination. This is a huge stone frame east of Purandara Mantapa. A stone beam is placed on two pillars of stone. Legend has it that the generous Kings of Vijayanagara used to weigh them with gold and gems and distribute it among the poor.
Duration: 15 minutes
3
Lotus Mahal
We take a ride on a coracle on the Tungabhadra.
We will visit the Royal enclosures. Some of the memorable structures here are the Elephant stables, Queen’s bath and the Lotus Mahal.
Duration: 60 minutes
4
Zanana Enclosure
We will also visit the Zanana enclosure , which was the place for the royal women.
Duration: 30 minutes
5
Elephant Stables
We will also visit the famed elephant stables of Vijayanagara Kingdm
Duration: 15 minutes
6
Anegundi Fort
We visit Anegundi village for the cave paintings. The paintings here date back to the Iron Age around 1500 BC.
Duration: 60 minutes
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
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Aihole
We drive from Hampi to Aihole, located 134 KMs away. There are more than a hundred stone temples from 5th century onwards to see. Legend says it is at Aihole that Lord Parashurama washed his axe after killing all the Kshatrayas.
Duration: 1.5 hours
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Group of Monuments in Pattadakal
After Aihole, we move to Pattadakal located 14 KMs away. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an epitome of the Visara style of architecture. The grandest of all temples here is that of Virupaksha, built in 8th Century by Queen Lokamahadevi in 745 to commemorate victory over the Pallavas.
Duration: 1.5 hours
3
Badami Cave Temples
We drive to the erstwhile capital of the Chalukya Kings, Badami. Located in a ravine at the foot of red sandstone hills Badami looks mesmerizing surrounded by the Agastya lake. The cave temples are made of made of red sandstone and feature a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum. Paintings cover the ceiling. A must look out is the pose of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi with a coiled serpent. An 18 armed lord Nataraja in 81 dancing poses is the other item of interest. Badami is also famous for its inscriptions.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Return to Hyderabad
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8 AM- Check out from Badami and drive 420 KM to Hyderabad
530 PM- Arrive in Hyderabad
