Matunga is the most popular hill of Hampi. It is located in the heart of the city and is the highest point here. This is the main reason for its popularity as it provides the best view of the whole city. Another attraction here is the beautiful view of the dawn and dusk from the hill top.

The northern part of the temple falls on the southern bank of the River Tungabhadra. The beautiful Kodanda Rama Temple is situated here. The eastern side of the hill ends as a part of the Achyuta Raya Temple. The topmost point of the hill has the famous Veerbhadra Temple.

The only way to reach the peak of the Matunga Hill is by trekking along the rock cut steps that are quite steep and are said to be as old as the Vijayanagar Empire. There are many step paths and trekking trails for the tourists here.

The most popular access trail is the rough and wide road that comes out from the main road close to Kadale Kalu Ganesha Statue and takes you to the foothills after a few turns. The next popular access is the road that starts from the east end of the Hampi Bazar. The third path is the less used one that runs as a path on the south of the Matunga Hill and links it with the cart road parallel to the Turthu Canal.

The Matanga Hill is an important location even in mythological tales especially the Ramayana. According to the Vaishnava Cult, this hill was the abode of Sage Mathanga. Once, the monkey king Vali killed a buffalo demon named Dhundhuva here and threw his corpse on this hill. The sage Mathanga was very angry due to this act and cursed Vali that he would never be able to venture the hill. Later, Sage Mathanga’s son attacked Vali to take revenge and so Vali accompanied by his brother Sugreeva went to the cave of the sage’s son and started fighting. Sugreeva, who was guarding the entrance of the cave thought that his brother was dead after he did not come out for a long time decided to close the cave. Later Vali emerged out of the cave and out of anger drove his brother out of the kingdom. Sugreeva and his aid Hanuman took shelter on the Matanga Hills as they knew Vali would not be able to venture there due to the curse of the sage. Later, Lord Rama killed Vali and crowned Sugreeva as the king of the Monkey Kingdom.

Apart from this, it is also said that the temple on the hill top of Lord Veerbhadra is an avatar of Lord Shiva and is established by the Lord himself. Thus, a visit to Hampi is always incomplete without a tour to the Matanga Hill.

• You are advised to carry a small pocket torch with you as the place has no lighting facilities.
• Try not to stay on the hill after the other tourists have left.
• It is preferable that you go with a group and not alone.
• Do not stay long after dusk as the way down the hill will be risky due to lack of lighting facilities.
• No extra charge is needed for photography.
• Try avoiding the hot hours of the day for climbing except if you are used to the Hampi type climate.

• The nearest airport is the Bellary Airport.
• The nearest railway station is Hospet.

• Mango Tree Restaurant
• Laughing Buddha
• Shesh Besh Restaurant
• Golden paradise
• Gouthami Restaurant
• All Tribes Cafe
• Gopi Rooftop Restaurant
• The Goan Corner
• Geetha Riverview Restaurant
• Shiv Moon Restaurant
• Mayura Bhuvaneshwari
• Prinsey Restaurant
• Sri Krishna Hotel
• Savaji Restaurant
• Karavari Cafe Restaurant

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