Hampi diaries—Hemakuta Hill

Hemakuta Hill happened by chance. On our last afternoon in Hampi, we had packed our bags and stopped by at a restaurant to grab refreshments. While sitting there, we were leafing through a coffee table book on Hampi, when we spotted some pictures of a remarkable monument atop a hill. Upon enquiring, the restaurant owner told us it was Hemakuta Hill—just beside the Virupaksha Temple—an area we had been to at least ten times during our visit but never bothered to check.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva did penance at Hemakuta before marrying Pampa. To help Pampa in winning over Shiva, Kama (the god of love) distracted him and was in turn burnt by his third eye. Later, Shiva agreed to bring Kama back to life—not in a physical form, but only in character—and the day Shiva consented to marrying Pampa, it rained gold on this hill top, which was thus named Hemakuta (hill of gold).


Naturally, most of the temples and shrines at Hemakuta are dedicated to Lord Shiva. More than a hill, it is a mammoth sheet of rocks which are pretty easy to climb. The best time to visit Hemakuta is in the morning or evening , when the sun’s rays are slanting. Coincidentally, we went in the evening, and got great views of Hampi bazaar and Virupaksha Temple.

On the top of the hill, there is a two storied gateway which faces the landscape below. This spot is referred to as sunset point, and seems to glow in the rays of the setting sun.


Our visit to Hemakuta Hill was a beautiful way to end our Hampi trip. Although we were there for hardly half an hour, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and even managed to get some glorious photographs.