Hampi Bazaar, Hampi - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

Hampi Bazaar is located beside the Hampi Bus Stand and located in front of the Virupaksha temple. It is also known as Virupaksha Bazaar. About a kilometer long, the eastern side of the bazaar ends at the foothill of Matanga Hill.

Hampi Bazaar is a unique attraction of Hampi. Both sides of the street have a series of very old pavilions, some single storied and others two storied. These buildings were once the part of a booming market and houses of the upper class merchants. The arcades are open structures with no doors. It was once a place where merchants used to sell precious stones, jewellery, silk clothes, etc. during Vijayanagara rule. It was also a market where cows and horses were traded. The Hampi Bazaar still functions as a market place, though it is no longer as attractive as it was. The western end of the street has been encroached by a number of shop owners and small restaurants. These shops that sell items like ethnic clothes, bags and pooja artifacts.

A huge Nandi, also known as Yeduru Basavanna, is located at the eastern end of the street. A two-storied pavilion near the bull acts as a photo gallery. Photos of Hampi taken by Alexander Greenlaw in 1856 are on display here. An open platform nearby is the main stage of the annual Hampi festival.

Hampi takes on a vibrant look during the annual festival, the Hampi Utsav. Every year the Hampi Utsav is held in the month of November. Hampi Bazaar becomes the center of all festive happenings that occur in Hampi during these days.