Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with his family, recently toured the historic site of Hampi. His visit began at the Virupaksha Temple, where he was greeted by Lakshmi, the temple’s resident elephant. He performed a special pooja and received the darshan of Lord Virupaksha. During the tour, Wickremesinghe visited notable monuments such as Ugranarasimha, Kamal Mahal, Rani Bath, Mahanavami Dibba, and the Vijaya Vittala Temple.
Wickremesinghe described the monuments of Hampi as extraordinary and praised its importance as a major Indian tourist destination. His visit, which extended till the afternoon, was guided by V. Gopal, who shared the site’s rich history. Security was provided by the Hampi Police, with tourism officials Harish and Sagar, and police officer Ravikumar, present during the visit.
Hampi’s Tourism Appeal
Hampi, in Hospet taluk of Vijayanagara district, draws large crowds throughout the year, with weekends and holidays witnessing a surge in family visitors and student groups eager to explore its architectural splendor.
UNESCO World Heritage Recognition
Hampi, once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, lies along the Tungabhadra River. Its impressive ruins, known as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historically, Hampi was a sacred pilgrimage center in the 13th century before becoming the empire’s capital in the 14th century. By the 16th century, it had grown into a vast metropolis covering approximately 650 square kilometers.
The city’s layout incorporates natural features and religious landmarks, including Pampa Tirtha and Kishkindha. Mythologically, the name Hampi is linked to Pampa, a form of Goddess Parvati, who performed penance on the Tungabhadra’s banks to win Lord Shiva.
Hampi also holds significance in the Ramayana, where it is identified as Kishkindha, the site where Rama and Lakshmana met Hanuman and Sugriva during their quest to find Sita. The area’s features are believed to closely align with the epic’s descriptions.