Hampi Complete Travel Guide Series: Ancient Temples, History, & Travel Tips- English Part- 03

As we continue our journey through the incredible land of Hampi, we’re picking up right where we left off in the last episode—at the Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple. But today is going to be extra special. We have a hill to climb, and I’ve been looking forward to this for the last three days! Today, we’ll reach the top of Matanga Hill and witness a breathtaking view of all of Hampi. But this isn’t just any hill—it’s a place with a deep connection to history. Long ago, during the Ramayana times, Rishi Matanga meditated here.
At the top, there’s an amazing temple dedicated to God Veerabhadra and Goddess Mahakali. I can’t wait to show you this temple! But before we start our climb, we’ll explore some fascinating spots at the base of the hill, including an ancient temple. So, let’s begin this adventure together!
Welcome to Part 3 of our Hampi travel series!
At the entrance of the market, you’ll find an old, abandoned temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu. It’s always a bit heartbreaking to see temples like this—without rituals, without people, and without the Vigrahas.
Now, we’re heading to one of the most famous temples in Hampi—the Achutaraya Temple. What’s unique about this temple is that it faces north, unlike most temples here. It took around 15 years and 2,000 people to build this temple during the reign of King Achutaraya. Sadly, it was destroyed by the Deccan Sultanates. The main deity of this temple is God Vishnu, worshipped here in the form of Tiruvengalanatha.
There are also temples dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhudevi inside this complex. The temple is known for its grand gopurams, mandapas, and the sanctum sanctorum. As you enter, you’ll see two beautiful gopuras, though both are partially collapsed. The walls are decorated with carvings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, showing various avatars of God Vishnu, like Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, and Narasimha Murthy.
One carving shows Bhagawan Rama giving instructions to Hanuman Ji to search for Goddess Sita. Below that, you can see carvings of Sri Rama and Lakshmana, and further down, there’s God Rama with Goddess Sita. Another carving shows Bhagawan Rama chasing the golden deer, and below that, you’ll find God Hanuman visiting Goddess Sita in Ashoka Vatika.
You’ll also find carvings of Bhagawan Krishna, Hanuman Ji, Kubera, Sugreeva, and even merchants from places like Egypt, China, and Arabia.
From these historic evidences, accounts of ancient travellers, and inscriptions, we can clearly understand how vast Hampi was and its connections to international merchants
Despite its grandeur, the Achyutaraaya Temple is often missed by tourists because it’s tucked away from the more popular sites like the Virupaksha Temple. But it’s one of the largest temple complexes in Hampi and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Behind this temple is a smaller, hidden temple where locals still perform rituals. This is the Hattukai Amma Temple, dedicated to Maa Kaali. The name "Hattukai" means "ten arms," the goddess is carved directly into a large rock wall, standing six feet tall. The local community worships her with great devotion, especially on full moon and new moon days.
And now, we’re ready to climb Matanga Hill!
At the top, there’s an ancient temple dedicated to God Veerabhadra, a fierce form of God Shiva, and Goddess Mahakali, a fierce form of Goddess Adi Parashakti. The view from here is absolutely breathtaking and makes the climb totally worth it. And here’s a tip: there’s a rooftop above the temple! The temple priest told me about it, and the view from there is even more incredible.
While coming down from the hill, let me tell you about my first day in Hampi. I arrived in a rickshaw from Hosapete and asked a shopkeeper how many days it would take to explore Hampi. He laughed and said, “Days? It will take months to see all of Vijayanagara! But most people come for just 2-3 days and leave. They miss so much.”
After hearing that, I made up my mind—I wanted to visit every temple and monument in the Vijayanagara Empire. It wouldn’t be easy, but I promised myself I would try my best and leave the rest to God Virupaksheshwara and Goddess Pampa Devi. That’s how my journey through Hampi began.
And guess what? The journey isn’t over yet! There are still so many temples and monuments to explore. See you in the next episode! Jai Virupaksheshwara and Jai Pampa Devi!
Hampi,Ramayana,Hanuman Ji,Sri Ram,Sri Rama,Har Har Mahadev,Maa Parvathi,Ancient Temples,Virupaksha Temple,Incredible India,Karnataka Tourism,Hanuman Birthplace,Hampi History,Hampi Ruins,Hampi Travel,Mythology,Hampi Tour,Hindu Temples,Sacred Sites,Ancient Civilizations,Hampi Detailed Tour,Hampi English,Hampi itinerary,Hampi Travel video,Hampi vlog English,Hampi travel video English,Hampi itinerary English,Hampi detailed tour English