Credit: Prafulla Dindorkar
About Hampi Bazaar
Nestled beside the Hampi Bus Stand and stretching majestically in front of the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, also known as Virupaksha Bazaar, is a cultural tapestry that unfolds along a kilometer-long stretch, culminating at the foothill of Matanga Hill.
Hampi bazaar, also known as Virupaksha bazaar, is a cultural tapestry that unfolds from Virupaksha temple and culminates at the foothills of Matanga hill. It’s a street where history and commerce intertwine, creating an atmospheric blend of the past and present.
Historic Pavilions
Once a vibrant marketplace and residence of affluent merchants It harks back to the time when they housed traders dealing in precious stones, jewelry, silk fabrics, and livestock during the Vijayanagara rule. Both sides of the street were once adorned with ancient pavilions, both single and two-story, but today these arcades stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era.
Yeduru Basavanna and Photographic Treasures
Today, HampiBazaarr continues to function as a market,but more in a subdued fashion. It has dimmed over time. Its western end is covered with shops and eateries, offering ethnic clothes, bags, and religious artifacts. On the eastern end,d there stands an imposing Nandi known as Yeduru Basavana. There is a three-story pavilion adjacent to Nandi where visitors can explore images captured by Alexander Greenlaw in 1856. The place provides a virtual journey through time.
Cultural Hub During Hampi Utsav
The best time to visit the Hampi bazaar is during the annual Hampi Utsav. It’s held in the month of November, when Bazaar transforms into a vibrant hug. Various cultural events, performances, and activities bring the historical essence of Hampi to life.