Archaeological Museum, Hampi

The collection of sculptures architectural members from various locations of the ruins were made by British officers and housed earlier at elephant stables are available in Hampi Archiological Meseum. Archaeological Survey of India established it's first museum here. In 1972 the antiquities were shifted to a present modern building at Kamalapur. Presently this museum has four galleries enclosing a model of Hampi valley with a corridor all around.



The exhibits in this museum are manifold consisting of the elegant replicas of Krishnadevaraya most famed ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty and his queens greeting the visitors at the entrance.



The first gallery has in its display sculptures of the saiva faith consisting of Virabhadra, Bhairava, Bhikshatanamurti, Mahishasuramardini, Shakti, Ganesha, Kartikeya with his consorts and Durga. The central hall has the composition of a look alike a temple with the display of Shivalinga, Nandi, Dwaramantapa with a royal couple at front.



The second gallery has in its display assorted antiquities like arms and armoury, copper plate grants, metal objects of religious utility and brass plates. In the display are the coins of Vijayanagara dynasty in various denominations of both gold and copper.

The fourth gallery has antiquities pertaining to prehistoric and protohistoric period, medieval hero stones and sati stones. Stucco figurines, iron objects, sherds of porcelain, retrieved from excavations are also on display. This gallery prominently has in its display selected dia-positive of archaeological excavations conducted in the citadel by the Survey from 1976 to 1998. To familiarize the visitors to the World Heritage site an information kiosk is also set up in the same gallery.

Opening Hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on - Friday

Entrance Fee: Rs. 5/- per head (Children up to 15 years free)

Sculpture Gallery in the Treasury Building
Displayed in this museum are the pre and protohistoric antiquities, narrative lime stone Buddhist panels of circa 2nd century AD, exquisite schist stone sculptures of 12th century AD, austere Jaina Tirthankaras from Parshwanatha Chaityala, elegant Shaiva and Vaishnava sculptures of Vijayanagara period. The sculpture of goddess Bhuvaneshvari from the vicinity of the palace of Vira Harihara is one of the early Vijayanagara sculptures here. The pillar inscription referring to the palace, day to day utilitarian pottery with deluxe porcelain ware, metal objects, miniature figurines and a few selected stucco figures add to the display. However the photo documentation of this glorious world heritage site done way back in 1856 by Alexander Green Law (1818-1873) in comparison with recent photographs gives an insight into the grandeur of the Vijayanagara monuments.

Sculpture Gallery in the Guards House
Displayed in this guards house against the back wall of the verandah are the sculptures of Ganesha, Kalabhairava, Nandi-Vahana, Saptamatrikas and Virabhadra as shaiva specimens. Garuda, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Rangantha from the vaishanava sculpture manifestations. In addition, sculptures of Naga, Nagini, Maha-Sati and hero stones also get their due share amidst the depictions. While some of the sculptures form the examples for various stages of making amongst the finished the sculptures of Ranfanatha and Kalabhairava attract the visitors for their detailed workmanship. Amidst the Hero stones and Maha-Sati stones depicted, a hero attaining heavenly abode by Saula method of sacrifice draws our attention.

Hotels, Boarding, Lodging & Accomodation In Hampi

Archaeological Museum Hampi, Kamalapura
Hampi, Kamalapura Bellary
Hospet – 583221
Phone Number: +91 83 9424 1561

Four Sections of Museum

The museum is divided into four main sections or galleries to display the preserved items.

The first section of the museum contains one of the two scaled models of the Hampi topography. It is the larger of the two models on display. It presents a complete topography of the region along with the monuments and temples located on it. It provides an excellent idea about the various attractions and their relative locations in Hampi. It also displays the hills and rivers in Hampi.

The second section of the museum contains a large collection of sculptures and idols collected from the Hampi ruins. Some of the exhibits on display in this section include artefacts that belong to Shiva worship. Exhibits in this section also include,

  • Veerabhadra (the demon king created by Lord Shiva)
  • Bhairava (Shiva in one of his fearsome postures)
  • Bhikshatana muthi (Lord Shiva as a simple wandered asking for alms)
  • Shakti (a form of the Goddess representing power)
  • Mahisasura mardini (a fearsome form of Goddess Shakti)
  • Kartikeya (the peacock mounted god)
  • Vinayaka (the elephant headed god)

The third section of the museum contains an amazing collection of arms, coinage, tools, metal objects and other artifacts that were popular during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. Among the many interesting exhibits of this section are some documents that look like a book. These documents are made of brass and are bundled with a ring on display in a peculiar manner.

The fourth section of the museum contains several antiquities that date back to the pre-historic and proto-historic eras. The objects displayed in this section are the oldest of all exhibits in the museum. The exhibits of this section also include hero stones (stone projections in memory of heroes who died in the battle fields), sati stones (stone projections in memory of wives who committed suicide after the death of their husbands in the battle fields), stucco figurines, parts of porcelain pottery excavated from the sites of the ruins and a huge collection of excavation photographs.

Another impressive exhibit of this section is the smaller one of the two scaled models of Hampi. This smaller model is the more detailed one between the two and provides a complete view of the Royal Centre in Hampi along with several fine details.

Hampi Archeological Museum in Kamalapura
Daroji-Kamlapura Road, Kamalapur, Karnataka 583221

Department Archaeology Museum (Photo Exhibition)
Hampi Bazaar St, Hampi, Karnataka 583239