What to see in Hampi

India’s rich cultural heritage is well known thanks to the magnificent ruins scattered throughout the country. And topping the list of world heritage sites is Hampi, an ancient metropolis and a popular spot flocked to by history buffs. This fascinating place was the former capital of the Vijayanagra Kingdom, and is therefore steeped in culture. Hampi is known for its gorgeous architecture, preserved temples and monuments, palaces and market streets. Ideal for a weekend get-away, there are a handful of sights one must visit when in Hampi.1. Hanuman Temple : Hampi is closely associated with an incident in the Ramayana, and an important evidence of this mythological tale is the Monkey Temple, located on Anjandri Hill. It is believed to be the birth place of Lord Hanuman. The place has a lot of monkeys, justifying its name – and one will get a beautiful view of Hampi from above. 2. Vijaya Vittala Temple: One of the most important places to visit is this 15th century wonder. Dedicated to Lord Vittala who was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, this temple is an example of the exemplary architecture of the time. Another attraction is the huge stone chariot in the front.3. Virupaksha Temple: Lord Virupaksha was believed to be the deity of the Vijaynagra rulers and the temple was built in her honour. Built in the 7th century, this marvellous temple started out as a small shrine. It lost most of its intricate decorative structures during the war in 1565, however worship still takes place here.4. The Royal Enclosure: Once the seat of power in Vijaynagara, the royal enclosure is basically a wide open ground with a number of small shelters spread inside. Important relics include the King’s Audience Hall, the stepped tank, an underground chamber and the Dossier platform are things you must see in the royal enclosure.5. The Queen’s Bath: What looks like a plain rectangular structure from the outside is actually the place where the royal women used to bathe. Intricate pillars and verandahs face the huge sky pool in the middle – and it is easy to imagine the bath filled with fragrant water and flowers at that time.6. Hampi Bazaar: Also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar, this once bustling market street is located at the foot of the Matanga Hill in front of the Virupaksha Temple. Both sides of the street have an array of old pavilions which were part of a thriving market place. The east side of the bazaar houses a stage that once served as a platform for the annual Hampi festival.7. The Underground Temple: One of the oldest temples in Hampi, this shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built several meters below the ground. Due to this, the main parts of the temple remain submerged in water for most of the year. Once you pass through the main tower, a series of steps leads you to the sanctum and further down towards the inner portion of the temple.While the above list doesn’t do enough justice to the dozens of ancient structures in Hampi, if you are pressed for time, sticking to viewing the sites mentioned above will let you marvel at some of India’s  priceless treasures.