Hampi, the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, got its name from the river Pampa. Also known as Kishkinda Kshetra, this place is believed to be the exact spot where Lord Rama met Hanuman for the first time. It is found on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in the state of Karnataka. Hampi was a very prosperous place in the 16th century and attracted traders from Portugal and Persia. Hampi was the most beautiful city during the time of Sri Krishnadeva. Vijayanagara architects created magnificent temples in Hampi, especially when it comes to architecture and art. The once great kingdom was decimated by several invasions from the Persians and the Portuguese. Temples unknown to the outside world till the 19th century have been restored by the Department of Archaeology.

The Vijaya Vitthala Temple is an example of magnificent architecture and design in Hampi. It is a complex of pillared temples within pillared pergolas. Therefore, it can be called "independent town". It dates back to 15-16 centuries. It is dedicated to Vishnu. It has a famous stone chariot which is believed to be the vehicle of Garuda, the eagle god and Vishnu.

The most famous empire of the Vijayanagara Empire in India, the crowning glory of the Vijayanagara Empire is the Virupaksha Temple. The temple may have been built between the 9th and 10th centuries. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha (a form of Shiva), the presiding deity of the temple. The temple has idols of Virupaksha and Pampa Devi of Tungabhadra river. February and December are the best months to celebrate temple festivals. The Hampi festival celebrated here is one of the most popular festivals in Karnataka.

Achyutaraya Temple is situated between Gandhamadana and Matanga hills. It was built in 1534 AD by Achyuta Devi Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was built in Vijayanagara architecture and has a traditional design. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. Although the temple is mostly destroyed, its splendor is still famous. The Garuda idol in the temple is also on display.

The Badavi Linga Temple in Hampi is a monolithic wonder of Hampi that houses a 3 meter tall Shiva Linga, carved out of a single stone. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is built of stone and has an open roof. However, the foundation of Lingam is underwater. Locals believe that this temple was built during the reign of Vijayanagara rulers. Surprisingly, this temple room is still full of water.

The Lakshmi Narasimha temple has a stone idol of Lord Narasimha. This statue is one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.It was constructed in 1528 AD, during Krishnadevaraya's reign. The idol in the original temple depicts Goddess Lakshmi sitting on Lord Narasimha's lap. However, the Lakshmi idol was taken down and defaced. Ugra Narasimha is the current name for the idol of Narasimha, the most terrifying form in the absence of Goddess Lakshmi.

The Vijayanagara Empire was not far from the Hazara Rama Temple. The monarchs of the empire are said to have utilised it as a private temple. The Ramayana Gatha is depicted on the walls of this temple in numerous scenarios that include characters, narratives, and events.

In honour of King Krishnadevaraya's triumph over Udayagiri, the Bala Krishna temple was constructed in 1513 AD. This temple is devoted to Lord Krishna, also known as Balakrishna/Gopalji, his adored newborn form. The temple idol was transferred by the Chennai State Museum. The walls, pillars and gopurams of the temple are exquisitely carved with images of the Bhagavata (the epic story of Lord Krishna).

Another monolithic marvel in Hampi is the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. It is dedicated to Kadalekalu Ganesha. The temple also has a 4.5 meter high monolithic idol of Lord Ganesha. The pillars of the temple are decorated with mythological characters, stories and symbols. To the south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is a small shrine of Shasivekalu Ganesha. It is also made of a single stone.

Built several meters below ground level, the Shiva Temple in Hampi is one of the oldest temples in the city. The temple is often flooded, especially during monsoons, making it impossible to enter the chambers. The inner sanctum of the temple housed an idol of Lord Shiva, but only the pedestal remains.

The temple is located on the Anjaneya Hill which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Around 570 steps have to be climbed to reach the top of the temple. Here you will see a big idol of Hanuman. Floating stones are also available for visitors to view. These are from the famous Ram Sethu. The temple offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas which is breathtaking for all who visit.

Built in 1386 A.D., Ganigitti Jain Temple is dedicated to Kuntunatha (17th Tirthankara). The temple was built by Iruga, the chief commander of Harihara II. The The lamppost in front of the main sanctum bears an inscription detailing the temple's history. This temple was built in Vijayanagara style. However, the influence of the Chalukya Empire can also be seen.