Hampi: Everything you want to know.

beach

burbujasdeamor,

i'm just curious to know the text book you've mentioned....

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Hampi info

Hyderabadi

Beach, amazing work!

Your thread made up my mind on where to take the kids when we were in India last year.

Thank you!

Bodhisattva

This thread is awesome! I've planning to visit Hampi since forever but it keeps getting delayed as I wanted to do it the 'proper' way, which is at least 4-5 days to wander around. Usually I don't really plan way ahead of a trip because I think it totally kills, but Hampi seems different, would miss out on so much if I hadn't read this. But I need to ask you something...Do you think it's advisable for a girl to travel there alone? Where should I stay..in Hospet or Hampi. I'm planning to go there early December, but have heard so many stories of the place being deserted at night and lots of thefts happening. Which is a safer place to stay? Also, unbelievable as it sounds, I can't ride a bicycle ...lol..so do you think I can manage to see enough on the power of my legs alone?

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machadinha

Hm... Hampi has many staying options, so shouldn't be a problem. Hospet has little going for it as such, although I quite enjoyed a night there in what was a very decent guesthouse for the price. Observing a town just for what it is can always be worth it.

There are persistent stories of mishaps in Hampi over say the past decade or so, yes; it wasn't a problem when I was there (or not that I know of -- getting drunk with the locals and so on too, but then I'm arguably a bloke), but this was earlier nineties. I'm pretty sure if you just keep abreast of the local situation you should be fine (that is to say: just ask around when you're there, with both travelers and locals). Just don't wander off into the dark alone etc., and all that stuff you shouldn't be doing at home, and try to stay out of dodgy situations, ditto. I'm not sure what the situation is here, but a certain "cool" gang of travelers is more likely to get you into trouble than any locals might, if you catch my drift.

A bicycle is really handy for touring the (vast) monument grounds, however I suppose one can manage (some of) it on foot, in fact I think I did, or parts of it. Being there in Dec. might be helpful in this (as in less hot). How's about a moped or so? It's just really big. I think rickshaws ply at least parts of the route btw, it's just more fun to sort of aimlessly wander about and see what you stumble into. The whole thing is still under excavation and likely to remain so for a long time, I think.

btw There used to be Christmas traveler parties there which you might like to avoid if it's not your thing (raves and stuff), no idea what the current deal is, seems to vary per year. Again, back then in November'ish it was no problem.

I suppose you checked out Beach's (the original poster's) website, but it has just about all the details you might wish for. Just leaving it here in case you missed it: http://www.hampi.in/

You're right in thinking the more days the better there btw -- well, if you're into ancient archaeological sites.

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Bodhisattva

Thanks so much! I know what you mean about the 'cool' gang being more of a problem in such places, instead of the locals. Raves in the ruins sounds like fun but I'm not looking to stick around that time, don't think it's a good idea to get fried when I'm alone. Ya, have checked out that link before, it's the main reason behind my huge Hampi list. Will do the walking I guess... Thanks..

machadinha

Y'r most welcome. Re: It being deserted at night, there's basically one main street with a few side alleys with lots of guesthouses and restaurants and stuff (probably expanded by now, I imagine), I reckon you'd be safe here, with plenty of people about. Deserted would be the (far) wider ruins sites, that you'd probably better not wander off into alone or even in small groups at night. Ditto for strolling along the riverside just to the north, I suppose (come to think of it, I take it the guesthouse scene has expanded to here). I guess places like these may attract some people who have heard there are not altogether clear-headed folks and supposedly hot chicks about, just keep your senses about you.

In any case, just stay where there are people about and you should be fine (I think...) And most of all: Have fun!

Bodhisattva

You think?? hahahaha ..thanks

the irish indian

Hi All,

I apologise if this has already been mentioned but is Hampi suitable for young children between 8-11 years or is it likely to bore them to death!

You know what the attention span of young children is like!

Would like to go to Hampi next month but dont really think its that suitable for the kids.

Any advice on this would be appreciated,

thanks,
Remy

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machadinha

Depends on the kids, I guess.

I was fascinated as a (very) young child to be taken along the ruins of Italy England etc., but then I'm arguably a boringly interested in my surroundings kind of guy Suppose some whining about the heat and distances and so came into it, lots of carrying on back if I recall.

A good idea is to study up on what you're seeing/going to see and tell them about it. Made those places come alive to me, mythology and stuff, although I'm sure half of it was a lie.

It's also just a relaxing place btw, it's not just the ruins -- fascinating countryside with boulders strewn about. I spent half a day by the river just observing a monkey family on the other side playfully making their way from east to west all day long, keeping each other in check, doing some feeding, being goofy, strolling off yet remaining in a group, instructing the young... Not so different from us humans really, often struck me there (only we have this stupid consciousness that gets in the way).

Other than that, it's a backpacker's hangout. Depends what you're after I guess, if they got on my nerves, I would tend to focus elsewhere (and yes, I was a backpacker).

capt_mahajan

Absolutely agree.

Also a very good way to make kids interested in history.

burbujasdeamor

Remy, I agree with the others that if you prepare the kids well enough in advance they'd have fun. When you get there, make it a game for them to identify what they've read, or each has to read up on a story of the statues, little competitions like who can run around the stone chariot fastest, etc. I was once told by a professor that if you like storytelling, study Hinduism, you'll never run out of material

One note though: make sure the kids don't climb onto anything they're not suppose to - like the stone chariot I've seen in other ruin sites where the parents just let the kids run wild and even encourage them to climb onto and jump off some architectural elements. I almost had a heart attack. But, their "argument" was that if these stone pieces have been there for centuries, they can withstand the kids...

beach

Tell them to learn in advance a bit about Hanuman, the monkey God, his association with lord Rama and so on… Hampi, according to the folklore was the monkey kingdom mentioned in the epic Ramayana. You can co relate many places for the events described in the Hindu mythology.

For example the cave where Sugreeva kept Sita’s jewels (Sugreeva’s cave), the hilltop where Rama & Lakshmana waited for the monsoon to get over to attack Lanka ( Malavyantha Hill), the hill where Vali could not climb because of a curse ( Matunga Hill), place where Rama crowned Sugreeva …etc etc….

Plus they will enjoy the coracle ride, the Tonga (horse cart to explore the sites) . I’ve seen people bring little children along. For the schools in this state Hampi is a sort of must visit item for the school excursion…..

machadinha

<cross-posting>

I dunno, playing hide-and-seek at Stonehenge is a favorite childhood memory. I guess proto-teenagers these days may be harder to please.

And please have some respect, yes; I can't stand tourists in Hawaiian outfits here blaring at the top of their lungs with their unchecked children running amok in our churches (and I'm not even a religious man). May make those kids' lives easier in the future, too.

the irish indian

Thankyou everyone for your replies.

You have gave me some great instruction and insight into 'taking the kids to Hampi' I am actually really keen now and i think they would enjoy it.

Yes it is imperative that they know what their going to see....and i think it would make it far more adventurous and interesting for them to know its significance to Hanuman etc.

Even the thought of sitting by the river and watching the monkies fool around appeals to me...and i know the kids will love that as well. They are animal crazy.....and it doesnt matter if its an Elephant or a snake all i here is....."Can we keep it? Can we?"

Is the train journey from Goa to Hampi (Karnataka) a good one....meaning is there plenty to see or is it like long and tiresome?....With the kids saying "are we there yet?" for 6 hours.

Thanks again for all the help.

Remy

machadinha

Was waiting for others to fill you in. I've heard it said that route is not so splendidly connected, but I don't know anything more about it. I'm sure you'll get there one way or the other -- India won't stretch for you, so you'll be best off stretching for her