Kampa Bhupa’s Path is a trek route in Hampi that is known for its interesting rocky terrain. It is a trek route that extends for approximately 2 kilometres. The trek route starts from the Hampi Bazaar and culminates near the famous Vittala Temple.
The trek route takes a visitor along a trail that is filled with several remarkable structures and monuments of Hampi situated in its vicinity. It is one of the most fascinating trekking routes in Hampi.
The trail takes about 45 minutes to complete by walking if one avoids diverting into any major side trips. The Kampa Bhupa’s Path is often followed by enthusiasts who want to explore this rocky trail of Hampi.
Quick Facts
- Timing: From dawn to dusk on all days of the week
- Entry Fee: No entry fee required
- Photography: Allowed
- Video Camera: Allowed
- Trekking Duration: About 45 min
- Best time to visit: From November to February
Beauty of Kampa Bhupa’s Path, Hampi
Kampa Bhupa’s Path is not an average trekking route, as is normally found in other places or tourist destinations. It is a path that passes through the ruins and remnants of some of the most amazing structures from the ancient Vijayanagara Empire that still exist in Hampi.
This route allows one to peep into the 500 year old historical structures and ruins of Hampi while providing ample views of the beautiful surroundings. Moreover, this trek route is a trail that takes one along a rocky and boulder strewn terrain, which is a characteristic feature of Hampi’s overall terrain.
How to Cover Kampa Bhupa’s Path in Hampi
Kampa Bhupa’s Path is a trek that does not involve any climbing and can be covered by walking. It is also a suitable route for enjoying a bumpy bicycle ride. However, there are some stretches on this trek route where one cannot ride a bicycle and has to carry the cycle to cross parts. But for the rest of the trek route, a bicycle provides an enjoyable ride for those who do not want to walk through the trail.
This route is not appropriate for covering with any other kind of vehicle. Visitors must avoid riding a scooter or a moped on this rocky terrain as it might prove to be dangerous for them. At some boulder strewn parts of the trek it becomes quite difficult to ride a bicycle.
So, the best way to enjoy Kampa Bhupa’s Path is to walk through the trail that passes by some of the most beautiful relics, ruins and remaining structures of the ancient Vijayanagara kingdom.
The Starting Point of Kampa Bhupa’s Path, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple is a well-known landmark of Hampi. From the Virupaksha Temple one has to go towards the statue of the Monolithic Bull (also known as Yeduru Basavanna) that is situated at the eastern end of the Hampi Bazaar.
Just before one reaches the statue, one can find a mud road that veers towards the left of the road. A few metres down this mud road one reaches the spot from where the boulder strewn trek route starts.
The Trail Covered by Kampa Bhupa’s Path, Hampi
Kampa Bhupa’s trail passes through some of the famous and some lesser known attractions of Hampi. The route allows a trekker to go on a number of side trips that lead to several attractions of Hampi.
The trail is not always a clear track and sometimes it may get lost among the heaps of boulders, but it can be traced out. The trail runs almost parallel to the bank of the Tungabhadra River. The track also passes under some huge rock formations.
The first major attraction on the trail is the Kodanda Rama Temple and it can be reached after walking for some minutes from the starting point. There is also a coracle ferry spot and a bathing ghat in this area.
One can take out a few minutes from the trail to explore the Kodanda Temple and the adjacent areas that contain a few small shrines and ruined structures.
After resuming the trail and moving further ahead, one reaches a sandy terrain. This is the place near which the Achyuta Raya Temple is located. The ruins of the Courtesan’s Street or the Soolai Bazaar spread out in front of the Achyuta Raya’s Temple. The area also has ruins of a few other lesser known temples of Hampi. One can take a short trip to explore these attractions as well before resuming the trail.
On proceeding further along the trail one reaches the well-known Varaha Temple. Taking a left detour from the trail and moving towards the river one can reach the spot for the riverside ruins. It is a remarkable area known for its fascinating ruins. It is well known for its arrays of Shiva Lingas.
One of the arrays has 108 Lingas while another bigger one has an amazing 1008 Lingas carved on the flat rocky surface. The surrounding area also contains a few other shrines and ruins of some pavilions. The Rangatha Temple is also situated at a small distance from this place.
Once again continuing on the trek route, one will be able to reach the Sugreeva’s Cave. It is an ancient naturally formed cave that is believed to have been the abode of the monkey king, Sugreeva. Opposite to the area where Sugreeva’s cave exists is the location of the Narasimha Temple on the hilltop. One can explore the Narasimha Temple by climbing up a long flight of stairs that lead to the porch of the temple.
Progressing on the trail once again, one will pass through a green area and arrive at the Two Storied Gateway, another attraction of Hampi. The track then passes near the King’s Balance, an interesting remnant of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Finally, Kampa Bhupa’s Path reaches the star attraction of Hampi, the Vittala Temple. This is where the interesting trek route comes to an end.
Though covering the track without any major diversion may require around 45 minutes of walking, the time duration will increase if one spends considerable time exploring the ruins and temples found along the trail. So, it really depends on the individual traveller how long he or she wants to spend on this trek route and what attractions he or she wants to explore while passing through the trail.
How to reach Kampa Bhupa’s Path
Starting from near the Hampi Bazaar, Kampa Bhupa’s Path takes a route that passes by a lot of attractions in Hampi. In order to start the trail, one has to reach the Hampi Bazaar, which is an easily accessible area of Hampi. It can be reached from any part of Hampi.
By Air
Hampi is a ruined town that does not have an airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the closest town to have an airport. Ballary is situated at a distance of around 64 km from Hampi. Visitors can take a flight to the airport at Ballari and then proceed to travel to Hampi. There are many means of local transport to reach Hampi from Ballari.
By Rail
As Hampi does not have a railway station of its own, visitors can access the nearest railway station that can be found in the town of Hosapete (Hospet). It is called the Hospet Junction Railway Station. Hosapete stands at a distance of around 10 km from Hampi.
One of the easiest ways to reach Hampi from Hosapete is to take a bus. A few other means of local transport can also be availed by visitors to reach Hampi from Hosapete.
By Road
Hampi has a good road network. As such, it is well connected to many towns and cities of Karnataka with the help of this network. There are a number of KSRTC buses that connect Hampi to other towns and cities of the state.
Visitors can opt to reach Hampi either by taking a bus or by hiring cabs or other vehicles from Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mysuru (Mysore).
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