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 Hospet, a small dusty town in Northern Karnataka, was once the seat of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire. Though the town does not have much to offer the visitors, its importance lies in its nearness to Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar rulers. There was a time when Hampi was the epitome of architectural wonders. Most of the great buildings of this place are now in ruins, though UNESCO and the Archaeological Survey of India have tried their best to recreate the original charm of the place. Hospet is the ideal base for tourists visiting Hampi and other nearby places. |
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How to reach |
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By Air |
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The nearest airport is Bellary, situated 60 kms away. It is about 350 kms to the Bangalore airport. |
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By Rail |
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Hospet is well connected by rail line to Bangalore, Hyderabad, Hubli and Vijapur. |
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By Road |
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Buses are available easily from Hospet to nearby destinations. |
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Places to Visit |
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Chitradurga Fort |
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The fort is situated at Chitradurga around 290 km south of Hospet on the Bangalore-Hospet road. Also known as the Fort of Seven Rounds, it was built in the 17th century by the Nayak Poligars, the wealthy semi-independent landlords who fled south after the collapse of the Vijayanagar Empire in 1565. Haider Ali later crushed the Poligars and captured the fort. He replaced the mud fort with stone and later his son Tipu Sultan built a palace, granaries, oil pits, and a mosque in it. |
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Queen's Bath |
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This 15-metre square bath is encircled is enclosed with gallery, verandas and overhanging Rajasthani balconies. The minor waterfall inside the bath was once poured with cool, perfumed water that flowed out through an underground drain. Open to sky and carefully shielded on all sides, the bath was a celebration of relaxed and opulent life which was also the leitmotif of Hampi. |
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Lotus Mahal |
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The Lotus Mahal is an exquisite pavilion located in the walled area of zenana near Hazara Ram Temple. The pavilion derives its name from the lotus bud that is carved on its dome and vaulted ceiling. A fine blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, it was used by the women of the royal family living in the Queen\’s Palace to disport themselves in the water pavilion within their protected enclosure. The structure is later became a model for Mughal monuments in Agra with some modifications. |
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Museum and Art Gallery |
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The museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India has a very good collection of sculptures belonging to the Vijayanagar Empire. It is situated at Kamalapuram, a small village near Hampi. |
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