Country India Population 164,240 (2001) University Kannada University Language spoken Kannada Area 50.92 km2 | State Karnataka District Bellary district | |
Hospet or Hosapete, is a city in Bellary District in central Karnataka, India. It is on the Tungabhadra River, 12 km from Hampi, the World Heritage site consisting of the ruins of the medieval city of Vijayanagara, former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Contents
Map of Hospet
Tungabhadra dam hospet
Visit to india part 50 hospet to goa
History
The city was built by Krishna Deva Raya in 1520 AD, one of the rulers of Vijayanagara in memory of his mother Nagalambika. While the city was named Nagalapura, people referred to the city as Hosa Pete meaning New City. An area between Hampi and Hospet is still called Nagalapura. It was the entrance gate to the city of Vijayanagara for all travelers coming from Goa and West Coast.
One former member of the Member of the Legislative Assembly (India) was H.R.Gaviappa. Center government have approved the request to rename the city in October 2014 and Hospet is renamed (along with other 12 cities) to "Hosapete" on November 1, 2014
Tourism
In contrast to the Hampi ruins site, Hospet offers a range of hotel options. If you expect a reasonable luxury stay (of course with respect to Hampi’s standards), Hospet is the place for you to set the base camp. Most of the hotels are located around the main road that connects the railway station to the bus station. Hospet has a number of ATMs and banks. The nearby Tungabhadra Dam is a popular visitor attraction as well. Apart from Hampi and Tungabhadra dam, Hospet does have many other tourist attractions of significance like daroji Bear Sanctuary, Kannada University.
It has Sri Jambunatha temple built by Hoysalas on the Jambunatha Gudda(hill) at the south of the city. It is said that Jambuvantha from Ramayana came here and deep meditated and established Lord Shiva linga, hence named Sri Jambunatha. Here water flows from the hill which is believed to cures some diseases.
The unique Anantashayana temple of Anantashayana Gudi is located at the eastern fringe of this town, on the way to the Hampi ruins. This temple has been built for Lord Ananthashayana(Lord Vishnu in sleeping position on Adi Sesha). But the idol isnt present. As per story When idol was being transport to the temple the idol got struck and never moved from the place and it got established at Holalu, near Hadagali.
Hospet is located 60 km away from district headquarters Bellary