Hospet – Karnataka Tourism
Hospet is a city in the Bellary district of northern Karnataka that is derived from two Kannada words ‘hosa’ and ‘pete’ which means new city. The city was built on the Tungabhadra River by an illustrious king of the Vijayanagara dynasty by the name Krishna Deva Raya. Hospet was originally named Nagalapura in the memory of the king’s mother, Nagalambika. However, since the city was a new one, the local people kept referring to it as new city or Hospet and that is how the name Hospet stuck.
Hospet is also popular as a tourist attraction owing to its proximity to the World Heritage Site of Hampi, which is situated just 12 km from Hospet. Hampi was an erstwhile city and former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The city of Hospet is a small one that is well connected to several important cities in India and even served as a gateway to the city of Hampi for all travellers coming from Goa and West Coast.
Hospet is located at a distance of about 325 km from the capital city of Bangalore and is often referred to as the ‘Steel City’, owing to the large iron ore and steel production here. One of the main attractions of Hospet is the 12th century Tungabhadra Dam, which is a reservoir built on the Tungabhadra River by the Vijayanagara king, Krishnadevaraya. One the shores of this river is a beautiful Japanese style garden that is very popular among tourists.
Hospet offers its tourists with numerous sightseeing options in and around the town such as Chitradurga Fort, Queen’s Bath, Achyutaraya Temple, Lotus Mahal, Royal Residence and The Archaeological Museum.
Hampi is undoubtedly the most famous attraction near Hospet and apart from being a UNESCO recognised World Heritage Centre, Hampi is also famous for its annual Vijayanagara Festival that is organised in the month of January by the Government of Karnataka. This festival popularly called Hampi Utsav or Hampi Festival is held from 27th to 29th January and is a cultural extravaganza that involves a mix of dance, music, drama, processions and a host of other events. Tourists who visit Hampi during this time get an insight into the grandeur and richness of the bygone era of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi has two prominent temples, the Vittala Temple and the popular Virupaksha Temple, which is dedicated to the Virupaksha form of Lord Shiva.
Hospet experiences a moderate climate with the average temperatures ranging between 33 degrees and 43 degrees during the months of summer, while winters are cooler when the mercury drops to 20 degrees and 28 degrees. Hospet is best visited between the months of September and February when the weather is moderate and pleasant.
For More Info:Hospet and Hospet Hotels
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