Ancient Vijayanagara Temple Complex at Hampi UNESCO World Heritage Site, Karnataka, India
The ancient temple complex of Hampi displays characteristic Vijayanagara architecture with stone gopurams and shikharas rising above the arid Deccan landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka preserves ruins of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire capital.
Read more about this photo
The Last Capital of Vijayanagara
Hampi's temple spires pierce the horizon where the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire once flourished as one of the world's wealthiest kingdoms.
Architecture Carved in Stone
The Dravidian-style temples feature stepped pyramidal towers constructed from granite blocks, demonstrating sophisticated stone-working techniques of medieval South Indian artisans.
A Landscape Frozen in Time
Beyond the temple walls, the boulder-strewn terrain of the Deccan Plateau stretches toward distant hills, preserving an archaeological landscape that earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986.
Spot a mistake or location error? Let us know!
Photos from the day
