Tourists give Hampi a miss this Christmas, New Year

Ballari: A party hotspot both during Christmas and New Year, Hampi, once the capital of  the 15th century Vijayanagar empire, has lost its lustre. Tourists, who once arrived here in huge numbers from Europe and Scandinavia  to party for Christmas and stayed on to welcome the New Year, are hardly seen this year.

It’s easy to see why as there is no restaurant or  guesthouse  at  the world heritage site anymore  with the local authorities demolishing all shops and businesses here on  the court’s orders. Although  archaeologists, George Mitchell and John Fritz, who were responsible for some major discoveries at Hampi, which help put it on the tourist map, saw nothing wrong in keeping the main bazaar alive,  the government has demolished over 200 homes and business establishments in Hampi Bazaar and Janata Colony, its two buzzing tourists hubs.

While locals had been granted a stay against the  demolition until December 4, many  closed their hotels and restaurants before the deadline, giving up all hope of winning the battle.

"Everybody has a say in Hampi except the locals, whose work has  allowed it to become a bustling tourist hub over the past two decades. With the government removing all businesses from the Hampi Bazaar, we gave up hope of survival  in the middle of this season that takes care of our year’s income", said Mr Raju, a small hotelier.

One tourist, Eric from the UK, was heartbroken to see the changes. “I am honestly shocked at how quickly things have changed," he  said. Added Abella, a Russian tourist, "It is not just for the ruins that people come to Hampi.  No, the Hampi experience is about the magical landscape, and tourists want to be in its midst and not in some fancy hotel elsewhere.” The nearby Virupapura Gadde, a favourite among foreign tourists, with its makeshift arrangements and resorts for Christmas and New Year eve, is also rather dull this year, thanks to the Koppal police, who are a keep a strict eye on the parties here. A tourism department official,  claimed the lull in tourism was temporary and things would improve with new guesthouses coming up in the surrounding villages.