Hampi & Badami: A Journey Through Time and Tranquility

There are some places that you don’t just visit -you experience them.Hampi and Badami are two such destinations,where time slows down,history whispers through the wind , and nature embraces you in its rustic charm. Our journey to these ancient wonders in November 2023 was all about soaking in the vibes,feeling the serenity,and letting history speak to us through its ruins. 

The Beginning of an Unplanned Adventure 🚂

Our trip started in the most effortless way-just two tickets and a hotel booking in Hampi. No strict itinerary,no rigid plans .
Just the excitement of exploring an unknown land .
It was our third trip of the year together , and we were ready to for yet another adventure.

We boarded a 3 ac train and arrived in hampi early morning. The first thing we did ? 

Breakfast 🥞 

I enjoyed a classic South Indian Idli -sambhar,while Mansi, who isn’t much of a fanof South Indian Food,managed to eat half a dosa .

As we were finishing up,a local taxi driver approached us ,offering to drop us at the hotel . Not only did he drive us there ,but he also became our guide for the moment, explaining how Hampi is divided into two parts-North and South .

He suggested that we explore that we explore one part each day and hold us that most people here prefer travelling by auto, which we,too,decided to do.

Hampi: A land of ruins and serenity 

We checked into Hotel Spy kee , which turned out to be an amazing stay-comfortable,clean,and peaceful-justwhatwe needed for the next two nights.

Hampi is not just another historical site;it’s a world of its own . Many travelers stay here for week or even months to experience its slow pace and surreal landscapes.
But we had two days to absorb its magic, so we made the most of it. 

Day1: Temples, Legends & A sunset Like no other 

Our first stop was a place where Lord Rama and Sugreeva are believed to have made an agreement.

Standing on the riverbank,with the soft ripple of water reflecting the sky,the atmosphere felt almost sacred.

There was something ancient and powerful in the air -like history itself stood still in this place . 
Then came a temple trek . A climb that wasn’t easy,but every step was worth it .

The view from the top was breathtaking . The sun, dipping into the horizon,cast golden hues over the rocky landscape.

We sat there on a boulder,letting the wind brush past us , surrounded by silent monkeys who seemed to be enjoying the view just as much as we were . 

If there was ever a moment to just pause and breathe, this was it . But the true highlight of the day?The Coracle River Ride.
We hopped onto a round,bowl-shaped boat-locally known as a Coracle- and gently drifted down the calm waters of the Tungabhadra River . 

The experience was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by ancient ruins, boulder-strewn landscapes,and the soft splash of oars in water, it felt like we had traveled back time .
The silence,the stillness, and the rhythm of the river created a memory that will forever stay with us. 

Day 2: A World of Stone 

The second day was all about the northern part of Hampi..
Everywhere we looked, there were ancient stone- carved temples,scattered ruins,and boulders that seemed to have been placed by giants.
It felt like stepping into a lost world where every corner held a story from centuries ago. 

Hampi’s architecture,with its intricate carvings,massive stone pillars,and silent courtyards, spoke of an era of grandeur and devotion. 
No wonder people stay here for weeks - every rock, every ruin has something to say. 

Badami : Red Rocks & Hidden caves 

On the third day, we bid farewell to Hampi and took a train to Badami. 
Our stay at badami court hotel was another pleasant surprise comfortable rooms, warm hospitality,and delicious food that made every meal memorable. 
We had imagined Badami to be a bustling place with markets to explore, but to our surprise, it was relatively quiet. 
There weren’t many shops , but we still found a small one where we bought Hampi style outfits as souvenirs.

Exploring the Badami Caves 

The next morning, we set off to explore the Badami caves, famous for their red sandstone cliffs and ancient rock-cut temples .
The caves were massive,carved into a red hillock that stood proudly against the sky.
Each cave had intricate carvings, depicting stories of gods,warriors,and celestial beings.

We spent time here just soaking in the peace, clicking pictures,and losing ourselves in the beauty of nature . 
The view from the caves,overlooking the rugged landscape,was simply mesmerising. 

Homeward Bound , But Not Without Memories 

On November 23,2023, it was time to return. 
As we boarded the train back home, we carried with us more than just souvenirs. 
We carried memories of golden sunsets,the whispers of history in temple ruins, the thrill of a coracle ride on an ancient river, and peace of sitting on a boulder with the wind in our hair. 

Hampi and badami weren’t just place we visited. 
They became stories etched in our hearts. 
And someday , we know , we’ll go back again - to sit by the river , to climb those steps ones more, and to let the stones tell us their stories again ……