I’ve spent a really pleasant few days in Hampi, alternating energetic bursts of sightseeing by bicycle with a reasonable amount of lazing around by the banana plantations and the river.
Banana plantation
Riverside view at Hampi
Hampi is a World Heritage Site covered with ruins from the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was a large metropolitan centre. The ruins (which are scattered over a weird, boulder-strewn landscape a bit like Jurassic Park) include temples, palaces and elephant stables.
Virupaksha Temple
Hampi ruins
Elephant stables
The Hindu festival of Dussehra has been taking place this week, and I’ve bumped into some excitable parades while I’ve been here, involving drumming, dancing, Hindu gods and two extremely glamorous elephants!
Dussehra drumming
Dussehra dancing
Parade
Beautiful elephant
Dressed up elephant
Yet again, another place I will visit in India thanks to your blog. Keep writing & posting pics – I love it.
This looks absolutely amazing! The architecture is wonderful and the atmosphere and community feel from the festival and ceremonies must be out of this world! So glad you’re having such a wonderful time xxx