Hampi Stone Chariot

The Stone Chariot is a monolithic granite shrine located inside the Vittala Temple complex in Hampi, Karnataka, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Hampi. Built in the 16th century during the Vijayanagara Empire, it is designed as an ornate chariot with stone wheels and was originally dedicated to Garuda. Renowned for its detailed carvings and Dravidian architecture, it is one of Hampi's most photographed and iconic monuments.

Visitors can expect to see the iconic stone chariot standing in the courtyard of the Vittala Temple complex, facing the temple's eastern gopuram. The structure is carved from granite to resemble a temple chariot with detailed pillars, sculptures, and two large stone wheels. The surrounding complex includes the Vittala Temple's pillared halls, musical pillars, and open courtyards set in a boulder-strewn landscape near the Tungabhadra River. Access is on foot within the complex, with battery-operated vehicles available from the parking area to the temple entrance.

The Stone Chariot was constructed in the 16th century during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Built from granite in Dravidian style, it was inspired by the chariot at the Konark Sun Temple and originally enshrined an image of Garuda. It stands as a prime example of Vijayanagara art and engineering, with monolithic wheels that were once movable, and forms part of the Vittala Temple complex within the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The Stone Chariot is the most iconic symbol of Hampi and Vijayanagara architecture, widely depicted in tourism promotion and on the Indian 50 rupee note. As the Garuda shrine facing the Vittala Temple, it reflects Vaishnavite traditions and the empire's patronage of art and religion. It remains a central cultural landmark for visitors exploring Hampi's sacred and royal heritage.