Museum

Museum in Hampi

The Archeological Museum in Hampi is under the Archeological Survey of India. It is first museum here. This is located at Kamalapura. Archeological museum has four galleries enclosing a model of Hampi valley with a corridor all around. It is the world's largest open-air museum. There are two archeological museums in Hampi exhibiting sculptures, inscriptions and artifacts from the period between 1480 and 1680.

Archeological Museum in Hampi exhibits miniature paintings, manuscripts, porcelain artifacts, coins, carpets and armory. Stone sculpture and inscriptions in Devanagari, Kannada, Arabic and Persian are also found in it. It displays sculptures of the saiva faith - Virabhadra, Mahishasuramardini, Shakti, Bhairava, Bhikshatanamurti, Ganesha, Kartikeya with his consorts, and Durga. The central hall has a replica of a temple with sculptures of Shivalinga, Nandi, and Dwaramantapa. It displays antiquities like metal objects of religious utility, arms and armory, brass plates and gold and copper coins of Vijayanagara dynasty in various denominations. It exhibits antiquities belonging to prehistoric and protohistoric periods, medieval hero stones, sati stones, stucco figurines, iron objects, and sherds of porcelain. An information kiosk is set up to familiarize the visitors with this world heritage site.

The Archeological Survey of India runs the museum. Timings of Visit: 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Closed on Fridays and other national holidays. Entrance Fee: Rs. 5/- per head. Children up to 15 years are admitted free.