Group of Monuments at Hampi
 Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state of India. Hampi is located within the reins of Vijayanagara, and was the final capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of South India, that of the Vijayanagar. It was one of the most beautiful cities of the medieval world and was admired by travellers because of its fabulous palaces and temples which were built between the 14th and 16th century. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned. Hampi was chosen because of its location, on one side it is bounded by Tungabhadra River and on the other three side, it is surrounded by hills.
Hampi is a complex site, covering a vast living territory and is much more than just monuments. Possibly predating the city of Vijayanagara, this village continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple. The village of Hampi contains several other monuments belonging to the old city. It extends into some of the old ceremonial streets of Vijayanagara.
The Vijayanagara ruins are listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The annual Vijayanagar festival is organised by the Govermnent of Karnataka in the month of November. Virupaksha temple is also known as the Pampapathi temple, is situated in the Hampi bazaar and is dedicated to Shiva. The temple also contains the shrines of the Hindu goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa.
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