We include Hampi for the serious bookish, historically-minded New Year tripper. It is going to be hard to find a glass of cheer in this strange-mysterious-magical place. Mainly because the lodging scene is a bit discouraging. But there is surely something momentous about spending a special second in history at the ruined capital of Hampi on the Tungabhadra river. Like Machu Picchu in the Andes, Hampi was once a glittering city of the ancient world. The capital of the Vijaynagar empire, Hampi awed all who visited it with its sheer size, wealth and beauty in the middle ages.


To view, today, these extensive ruins, that cover 26 sq km, is to be reminded of man's transitory role on earth. A famous megapolis that thrived and prospered and was for a while one of the largest city in South India, does not exist today. One thousand years later folks may be viewing the ruins of New York City in the same manner. By the way, of late, the melancholy ruins of Hampi have been rocked by rave parties. And back-packers and wild hippy tourists that hit Goa often make Hampi the next destination on their tour of India.