Hampi By Night Show

Hampi – the UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the south Indian state of Karnataka s popularly called as India’s largest open-air museum. The archaeological remains of the Vijayanagara Empire that ruled over peninsular India from 13th to 16th century with Hampi as the capital are spread over an area of more than 25 square kilometers.

The remains include mega temple complexes, fortifications, royal enclosures and bazaars that once dominated the trade with Arab and European countries. Hampi is an outdoorsy place where you move from one monument to another, scattered between boulder strewn hills and either side of the river.

As the Sun sets in the west behind Hemakuta Hill bringing darkness upon many monuments, a new kind of light and sound show brings mystical monuments and the lores of bygone era back to life. Hampi by Night is a beautiful light and sound show that happens at Virupaksha Bazaar near Eduru Basavanna end or the eastern end of the street.

The show starts at 7PM with patrons being seated on chairs facing Eduru Basavanna near Hampi Police Station. The area is cordoned off before the show begins to avoid stray movements and distractions.

It begins with the narration by a guide, the brief history of Vijayanagara Empire of modern day, the vanara kingdom of Kishkindha from the Ramayama era and the marriage of Lord Shiva worshipped as Virupaksha and Goddess Parvathi worshipped as Pampa Devi after whom the place gets its name Hampi. 

The show goes on for approximately 1 hour. Starting near Eduru Basavanna / Police Station, the show gradually moves towards Virupaksha Temple tower and culminates at the tower.

Hampi by Night is a great show with light, sound, narration and live music. Attempts were made to bring such light and sound shows to other parts of Hampi too, but the operations had to be scaled down for viability reasons. I hope more monuments organize such shows in near future.

Hampi by Night is a ticketed show. The tickets need to be reserved by calling the organizers in advance as they make suitable arrangements for the number of people viewing the show.

The ticket price is ₹500 as of March 2024 when we visited Hampi. The prices are subject to revision. The show may be cancelled in case of inclement weather so prior reservations through call is highly recommended.

You can also take assistance from your hotels and tour guides to arrange the tickets to the show, they will be able to assist you.

Hampi by Night is an outdoor show. Hampi being a warm tropical place on the banks of river Tungabhadra, the possibility of mosquitoes bothering the viewers cannot be ruled out. Carry a mosquito repellent cream and apply it before heading to the show.

Absolutely! Hampi by Night show is safe for kids. The lights and the monuments are at a distance and the likelihood of the kids being scared by any direct light on them is unlikely.

It is difficult for us to answer that question. The show involves certain flashy lights at a distance of 20 to 100 meters distance and the lights are close as you walk along the Bazaar towards the end of the show. Though the sources of lights do not face the viewers eyes directly, we recommend that you exercise your caution.