IN PICS: Hampi ranks second in New York Times list of must-visit places

The village is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the eastern part of central Karnataka near the state border with Andhra Pradesh. (Photo | EPS)

By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world's second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing. (File Photo | EPS)

Chronicles left by Persian and European travellers, particularly the Portuguese, state Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River. (File Photo | EPS)

The Virupaksha temple is the oldest shrine, the principal destination for pilgrims and tourists, and remains an active Hindu worship site. (File Photo | EPS)

The UNESCO World Heritage Site figures behind Puerto Rico, which has grabbed the top place. (File Photo | EPS)

Hampi is the only destination not just from India, but entire South Asia, in the list. (File Photo | EPS)

As per Mallika Ghanti, Vice Chancellor, Kannada University, the history of the Vijayanagara Empire is popular, and still has many hidden things. (File Photo | EPS)