Wishing to see Hampi Ruins in March was probably not the best idea but it had been on my mind for quite some time.
A lot of fellow travelers and friends suggested I add Hampi to my travel calendar. This year it did make it to my calendar (Also, because it was my first travel calendar) and fortunately till now I’ve stuck to my calendar.
I knew Hampi in March wouldn’t be a great idea but I wanted to use my leave at work judiciously so I could save my leaves for a longer international trip maybe (I ended up quitting my job that year). March had a 4-day long weekend, add two leave and I have almost a week of travel. Hurray!!
Reaching Hampi from Mumbai:
In the quest to save for my international travel I’m saving every penny that I can. So, I’m trying to travel really cheap it translated into traveling by a non A/C sleeper coach of Indian railways. But I didn’t really mind it, in fact, it was way better than I had expected.
Hospet to Hampi:
I reached Hospet, the closest railway station to Hampi, late in the evening around 8:40 p.m. So, I took an auto-rickshaw to Hampi. After about 15 minutes I could see the silhouettes of stone against the dark blue sky and it left me teary-eyed. I realized I had stayed away from the road a little too long.
I immediately rented a bike for the next day (which is not a good idea btw). There’s nothing much to do except walk around the narrow streets of the place, not that I mind it at all but just to keep your expectations in check. I sat inside this beautiful temple where quite a lot of people were actually sleeping and had I not paid up for my guest house already I would have considered sleeping there as well, under the clear sky, looking tirelessly at the stars.
BIKING AMIDST HAMPI RUINS:
I started later than my planned time but it was a good start nevertheless thanks to these two amazing kids who decided to spend their time showing me around.
Hampi Ruins are, as I had guessed from the silhouettes, breathtakingly beautiful. It’s nothing like anything I’ve seen before. It’s different. It made me wonder how can destruction, ruins of a sad time be so beautiful.
I spent my day on my bike, hopping around temples. It did get really hot as the day progressed but then I found my respite in this simple canal on the outskirts of Kamlapur (the nearest town from Hampi).
After cooling down I started my journey back again. By the time I reached the next place, I was almost dried up or at least I thought so till I overheard someone saying “Maybe she fell in the underground temple”.
I closed my day of biking around by sitting here for about an hour. It was peaceful and beautiful. There was shade from a tree so it made the weather bearable.
Final Verdict on seeing hampi ruins in March:
While I recommend visiting Hampi in better weather, but if it’s the only time you have then do make it. It’s one of the most beautiful places I have visited in the world. I could not visit it again so I am only glad, I went to Hampi in the heat of March.
Also Read : The ‘Happy’ side of Hampi
Is the place safe for travelling alone? And if not bike what else can be the mode of transport?
The place is as safe or as dangerous as the rest of India. During the day time it was really fine as it’s full of tourists. During the evening I walked around my guest house and didn’t really venture far. Temple area near the river was good to take a walk even in the evening.
Some people hire an auto rikshaw for the day. But it’s really not much to bike.
Let me know if you’ve more questions. Would love to help 🙂