#5 Seek out some rather rude stone carvings
Walking east from the Virupaksha temple along the length of Hampi Bazaar, turning left before the huge monolithic Nandi statue to get to Vitthala temple.
The walk winds past cafés and numerous shrines including a Rama temple – home to hordes of fearless monkeys - before arriving at the 16th century Achyutharaya temple (aka Tiruvengalanatha).The temple is known for its beautiful stone carvings – among them some of Hampi’s famed erotica.
Back on the main path again, make a short detour across the rocks leading to the river to see the little-visited waterside Agni temple; next to it, the Kotilinga complex consists of 1008 tiny lingas, carved on a flat rock.
As you approach the Vitthala temple, to the south is an archway known as the King’s Balance, where the rajas were weighed against gold, silver and jewels to be distributed to Brahmins and the needy on festive occasions.
#6 Hear the musical columns at Vitthala temple
Now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vitthala temple was built for Vishnu, who according to legend was too embarrassed by its ostentation to live here.
The Saptasvara Mandapa (Open Dancing Hall) features slender monolithic granite musical pillars which were constructed so as to sound the notes of the scale when struck.
Today, security guards make sure no one touches them; however, guides will happily demonstrate the musical resonance of other pillars on an adjacent structure.
Outer columns sport characteristic Vijayanagar rearing horses, while friezes of lions, elephants and horses on the moulded basement display sculptural trickery – you can transform one beast into another simply by masking one portion of the image.
In front of the temple, to the east, a stone representation of a wooden processional rath, or chariot, houses an image of Garuda, Vishnu’s bird vehicle. Now cemented, at one time the chariot’s wheels revolved.
#7 Seek out the forgotten temples and fortifications of Anegundi
With more time, and a sense of adventure, you can head across the River Tungabhadra to Anegundi, a fortress town predating Vijayanagar, and its fourteenth-century headquarters.
The most pleasant way to get here is to take a coracle from the ford 1.5km east of the Vitthala temple; these circular baskets, which are today reinforced with plastic sheets, also carry bicycles, which are a good way to visit Hampi’s many monuments.
A contentious bridge was constructed at this point but collapsed some years ago. A new one is being built outside the core heritage zone, at Bukkasagar, further downstream.
Forgotten temples and fortifications litter Anegundi village and its quiet surroundings. The ruined Huchchappa-matha temple, near the river gateway, is worth a look for its lathe-turned black stone pillars and fine panels of dancers.
Aramane, a ruined palace in the centre, stands opposite the home of the descendants of the royal family.