340 kms from Bangalore lies Hospet. Its tourist importance lies in its proximity to Hampi, the site of the medieval Vijayanagar empire, situated about 13 kms away. The Tungabhadra Dam here harnesses the sweet waters of the Tungabhadra river. At the base of the dam is a garden styled along Japanese lines. Accessibility : Hospet is well-connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Bellary, Hubli-Dharwar, Gadag and Bijapur.

On the Highway linking Bangalore to Hospet you come across Chitradurga, a quaint town with its famous Fort. This marvel of military architecture - made impregnable by the Nayak Paleyagars - has 19 gateways and 38 postern entrances.

Harihara, 90 kms from Chitradurga is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It has an ancient temple dedicated to Harihareshwara.

Hampi. 353 kms from Bangalore and 74 kms from Bellary is Hampi. A World Heritage Centre, Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. The erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, Hampi is full of delightful surprises. Like the King's Balance where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two-storied Lotus Mahal with recessed archways, the huge Elephant Stables, the splepdid Vithala Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, still used for worship, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 m tall monolith, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba and so much more.

The once-powerful Vijayanagar empire was compared to Rome by the Portuguese traveller Paes.

Climate :

The ideal time to travel to Hampi is September to February.