Last updated: October 2026 · 3 min read
Scattered among giant granite boulders in Karnataka, the ruins of Hampi were once the glittering capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Here are 10 incredible facts about this World Heritage Site.
10 incredible facts about Hampi
1. It was the capital of a great empire
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara and Bukka.
2. It was one of the world’s largest cities
Around 1500, Vijayanagara was among the largest and richest cities in the world, with an estimated population in the hundreds of thousands.
3. Gems were sold in its markets
Foreign visitors such as the Persian envoy Abdur Razzaq and Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes described bazaars where diamonds, rubies and pearls were openly traded.
4. Its greatest king was also a poet
Emperor Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529, expanded the empire and wrote the Telugu poem Amuktamalyada.
5. Its temple pillars make music
Pillars in the Vitthala Temple produce musical notes when tapped gently. Tapping them is now banned to protect them.
6. Its Stone Chariot is on the ₹50 note
The famous Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple complex appears on the back of the ₹50 banknote introduced in 2018.
7. A temple there is still in use
The Virupaksha Temple, with origins centuries older than the empire, is still an active place of worship.
8. It fell after one battle
After the Battle of Talikota in 1565, the city was plundered and largely abandoned.
9. Its boulders are incredibly ancient
Hampi’s dramatic landscape of piled boulders formed from granite that is billions of years old, slowly weathered over time.
10. It is linked with the Ramayana
The area around Hampi and Anegundi is traditionally identified with Kishkindha, the monkey kingdom of the Ramayana.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hampi?
In the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
When did Hampi become a World Heritage Site?
The Group of Monuments at Hampi was listed by UNESCO in 1986.
What is the best time to visit Hampi?
The cooler months from October to February.
Keep exploring
Facts are based on widely accepted scientific, historical and official sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
