6 Offbeat Experiences Near Hampi.

After my soulful sojourns in the North-eastern and Garhwal Himalayas, I descended to Mumbai for some personal work. Three weeks of sweltering heat has left me craving the rains, and made me nostalgic of my monsoon adventures last year, when I chased the rains from Rajasthan to Hampi.

Over two trips to Hampi, I’ve discovered experiences that go beyond the majestic ruins of the ancient Vijaynagara kingdom. Take my list, stay with the locals, meet the dwindling gypsy community, cycle amid dramatic landscapes, and indulge a little:

1) Meet the once-nomadic gypsy women of Sandur

A nomadic life was once a common lifestyle choice in India. We were gypsies, travelled without possessions, smoked up, made merry, set up a home in whatever place caught our fancy, and lived the best life we knew. Today, the gypsy aka Banjara community can only be found in some pockets in India. The district of Sandur, over an hour’s drive from Hampi along majestic landscapes in the Western Ghats, is one of them. Many traditional gypsy women in these parts have traded their nomadic life for a steady income, using their masterful “banjara embroidery” skills at Kushala Kala Kendra, set up by the once king of Sandur to empower the local community of craftswomen. Browsing through their finished clothes, I realized I had bought some of them at Fab India. The world works in mysterious ways!

Where: Kushala Kala Kendra, Sandur

2) Stay in a 4th century heritage house. 

As much as I was overawed by the magnificent ruins of Hampi (Also see: In Photos: Life in Hampi, Karnataka), I loved taking the coracle boat across the Tungabhadra river to my home in the village of Anegundi. Though only across the river from Hampi, Anegundi feels like a different world. Largely devoid of tourists, it offers a glimpse into life in these parts; the locals work and live amid the majestic boulder-strewn landscapes and earn a living by farming. On my first trip, I ditched the backpacker-style accommodations of Hampi to stay in a guesthouse (the base category of Uramma Heritage Homes) run by the village community. Designed by a French architect, my room was beautifully minimalistic. If you can afford it, the heritage houses and the Machan are well worth an upgrade!

Where: Uramma Heritage Homes, Anegundi

3) Rediscover Hampi in 3D

On my first trip, I lost myself amid the ruins of Hampi, travelling back in time to discover the architecture and traditions of the glorious Vijaynagara empire. But it was only on my second trip that the magnitude of this ancient civilization sunk in. The “Place Hampi” museum exhibit is nothing like a museum; you put on 3D glasses and virtually maneuver your way through the ruins of Hampi, stopping along to notice things you never would otherwise. This masterpiece was created by two Australian historians who spent years studying and documenting the ruins. When the Jindal family stumbled upon their work at a museum in Melbourne, they decided to replicate it closer to home, at the steel township of Vidyanagar, in a visionary art and cultural centre called Kaladham. I’m not a museum-person, but this rediscovery of Hampi left me awestruck.

Where: Place Hampi at Kaladham, Vidyanagar

4) Travel back in time at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal

The 8th century temples and caves in these villages are major attractions, but it was the landscapes and slow-paced life in these parts that really fascinated me. Dramatic boulders and ruins of ancient temples are scattered across the villages of Aihole and Pattadakal, and locals have built their lives, and homes, around these. Badami, on the hand, appears to be a white town with a golden-domed mosque from the peak of its rock cut temple cluster. The 4-hour drive from Hampi is littered with gorgeous sunflower fields and a lush countryside.

5) Visit a sloth bear sanctuary

I didn’t have time to experience this myself, but it’s on my list if I ever go back. I heard from the locals that the sanctuary area was once a scorched barren land. The sanctuary officials and the village folk have worked hard to transform it into a blooming forest of wild fruit trees (to attract bears) and edible fruit orchards. For that alone, the sanctuary sounds like a worthwhile trip! In the summer, when the wild fruit trees are in bloom, sightings of sloth bears and animals like porcupines and jackals from an aerial lookout are a high possibility. During the rains, the sanctuary is filled with migratory birds and colorful wild flowers.

Where: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

6) Pamper yourself in a manmade township

While planning my second trip to the region, I was surprised to learn that away from the predominantly backpacker and budget accommodation options around Hampi, Hyatt had created the boutique Hyatt Place hotel for those seeking more creature comforts. Quietly nestled in the manmade township of Vidyanagar, Hyatt Place started out to cater to business travellers visiting the nearby steel plant. But as someone who wanted to be close to Hampi and yet far enough from its hustle bustle, it turned out to be a great alternative for me. I spent my mornings cycling around the scenic township, with the Western Ghats in the backdrop, and my evenings in Hyatt’s colorful lounge with bean bags and Wifi. I missed regional food in their largely continental / north Indian menu, but travelling by myself, had fun hanging out with the staff from different parts of the country. It is conveniently located for visiting Hampi, Badami, Sandur and Daroji.

Where: Hyatt Place Hampi, Vidyanagar

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What undiscovered experiences near Hampi would you add?

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Shivya Nath

Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.