Hemakuta Hill Temple — Local services in Karnataka

Best place to witness sunset in the evening.

The modest structures are the best preserved examples of pre and early Vijayanagara period architecture.

As per the locality, Lord Shiva did penance before marrying Pampa. Shiva was impressed by her prayer and dedication. On this, it rained gold on this hill. "Hema" in Sanskrit language means "Gold". The name of the hill thus connects with this legend.

Also this is the place where Shiva burnt Kama (the god of lust) with his third (fire) eye. In helping Pampa to marry Shiva, Kama distracted Shiva from his penance. This attracted the wrath of Shiva and eventually killed Kama by fire. Later Rathi (goddess of passion and Kama’s wife) pleaded for the life of Kama. Shiva brought him back to life but only in character not as a physical being.

Hemakuta Hill has a group of temples in the surrounding area.

There are more than 35 temples on Hemakuta Hill.

These temples are built in the pre-Vijayanagara and Vijayanagara periods (9th to 14th century AD). These are referred to as Jain Temples, but many of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The largest and most elaborately decorated temples are situated on the northern side of the hill and face the Virupaksha temple compound.

Some of the temples located on the northern side of the hill are built in the "Trikutachala" style of architecture. In this style of architecture, three shrines are placed in a perpendicular position to each other facing a common central hall.

The temples have almost plain outer walls, except for the horizontal chain of floral motifs that provide some ornamentation...

Nestled at the base of Hemakuta Hill, the Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex is a must-visit for history buffs, spiritual seekers, and photography lovers alike. This stunning temple complex, built between the 9th and 14th centuries, predates the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire and holds centuries of rich history in its stones.

The temples here, mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva, are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that speak volumes about the architectural genius of the time. Agar aapko history aur art ka blend pasand hai, yeh jagah perfect hai.

As you wander through the complex, you’ll come across pillars, shrines, and small monuments that are not only of spiritual significance but also artistic brilliance. Aise carvings dekh kar lagta hai ki har ek stone apne aap mein ek kahani sunata hai.

The views from Hemakuta Hill are nothing short of breathtaking — upar se pura Hampi ka nazara dekhna ek alag hi experience hai. The serenity, combined with the panoramic landscape, makes it an ideal spot for photography.

It’s not just a place of worship; it’s also a peaceful escape, where you can sit, reflect, and immerse yourself in the beauty and history around you.

For devotees and history lovers alike, this temple complex is a spiritual retreat where you can both connect with the divine and enjoy the grandeur of ancient architecture.

In the heart of Hampi, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex is a timeless place that offers a deep connection with both history and...

One of the best places to witness sunset while in Hampi, the place is easily accessible form the junction to reach other major temples like Veerupaksha, Lakshmi Narsimha, Shri Krishna, and many more.

📖 The Myths of Hampi have it that it’s on this hill that Lord Siva (the god of destruction) did penance before marrying a local girl Pampa. Siva was impressed by her dedication for him and consent to marry her. On this it rained gold on this hill. Hema in Sanskrit language means gold. The name of the hill thus connects with this legend. (Credits: https://hampi.in/hemakuta-hill)

👍 Sunset - One of the best places to experience sunset, this was my first sunset point while in Hampi. The place couldbe crowded during the holiday season, one need to grab the seat early. 👍 Viruparsha - To the north of the hill is the famous Veerupaksha temple. You also get a beautiful view of the temple form this hill. 👍 Easy to reach - The hill is easy to climb, an approximately trail of 15-20 mins takes you to the view point. 👍 Temples and Ganesha idol - The Sasivekalu Ganesha idol is at the entrance of this hill. There are a lot of temples on the hill, i spent approximately an hour exploring all the temples on the hill.

👌 Sunset is one of the must experience from this poit.

👎 I visited this place in January, and the place was super crowded, there was trash at several points, plastic bottles, food waste (pictures attached along...