Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, lies on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River, to the north of the Hemakuta Hill. The ancient ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi city is listed by UNESCO World Heritage Site as “the Group of Monuments at Hampi”.
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Virupaksha Temple at Hampi was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II in about A.D.740
to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. Resembling the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, the temple represents the Dravidian architecture. The temple is a huge complex with a Sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and a Mukha Mandapa (entrance porch) also called Ranga Mantapa or an open pillared hall and is enclosed by high Prakara walls. Virupaksha Temple is a perfect example of the Vijayanagara Style of architecture. The main entrance of the Hampi temple is through the chariot street in front of the temple, popularly called the Hampi Bazaar which is considered as the largest of the bazaars of Vijayanagara.There are three towers in the temple. The nine-tiered eastern gateway is about 50 m high and comprises a two-tiered stone base. Though this entrance dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century, it was renovated in the sixteenth century by Krishnadevaraya (a Vijaynagar ruler). An interesting feature is that the inverted shadow of this huge tower falls on the western wall of the temple through a small hole behind the sanctum. The northern gopuram, known as the Kangiri Gopuram, is a five storey and decorated with beautiful pilasters. The inner eastern gopuram is a three storey structure.
Antarala (a small antechamber), an ‘ardha-mandapa’ (ardha means half) and a ‘maha-mandapa’ or ranga mandapa are seen in front of the sanctum of presiding deity. The Ranga mandapam, built in Vijayanagar style by Krishnadevaraya in 1510 AD, is noted for its bas relief and murals. This five-aisled mandapa is decorated with various types of composite pillars. There are sixteen pillars in the central rectangle, which have mythical lions with chains hanging from their mouths, 'makaras' (a mythical creature) below their feet, and riders, on their backs. Also portrayed here are some of Lord Shiva's manifestations, the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dashavatara) and scenes from Great Sanskrit Indian epic Mahabharata depicting Arjuna's shooting the fish device to win Draupadi's hand. The ardha mandapa is seen to the west of the 'ranga mandapa' and its entrance is flanked by a pair of huge four-armed 'dvarapalas' (guardians of doors). A Vijayanagara structure, the ardha mandapa is decorated with bas-reliefs in its exterior walls and the central ceiling with a multi-petal lotus design.
Shrines Inside Virupaksha Temple
The idol of Lord Virupaksha is seen in the form of a Linga inside the sanctum. The sub shrines of Goddess
Many shrines and pillars dating back to the 12th century are found in the inner prakaram. The Suryanarayana shrine has a southern form of the deity and the Mukhi Narasimha shrine nearby is a fine specimen of Chalukyan sculpture. Adjacent to this is the Tarakesvara shrine with the figure of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati seated on his lap. In the south-west corner is a Goddess Saraswathi shrine with a small black stone image of a two-armed seated goddess playing on a Veena (Veena, also spelled Vina, is a plucked stringed musical instrument widely used in Carnatic Indian classical music). A black stone figure of the six-armed Mahishamardini is in the western corridor.
Manmantha Tank is the holy pond of the temple. The narrow channel of river Tungabhadra flows along the terrace of the temple. It moves down to the temple kitchen and finally flows through the outer court.
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Festivals
Car Festival
Virupaksha Temple Car Festival (Virupaksha Temple Ratholsavam or Rath Yatra) is held annually during the months of March/April. This Chariot Festival is the largest religious festival celebrated in Hampi, Karnataka. The deities are placed in a huge wooden chariot and taken in procession along the main chariot street in Hampi. Virupaksha Temple Chariot Festival symbolizes the annual ritual marriage of the Virupaksha & Goddess Pampa.
Phalapuja Festival
Held during December, this festival marks the ceremonial betrothal and the marriage of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa.
Deepavali (Diwali) and Maha Shivaratri are other important Hindu festivals celebrated at the temple with great religious importance.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi by Air
Bellary Airport (75 km) and Belgaum Airport (263km) are the nearest domestic airports to reach Hampi Virupaksha Temple. Bangalore International Airport is 364 km from Hampi.
Hampi by Rail / Train
Hospet Junction Railway Station, served by South Western Railways, is the nearest railway station to reach Hampi Virupaksha Temple. Hospet Railway Station is just 13 km from Hampi city. Haripriya Express (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus Railway Station to Tirupati Railway Station), Hampi Express, Amaravati Express (Hubli to Vijayawada), and Hubli Passenger are the major trains running through pass through Hospet Junction Railway Station.
Hampi by Road / Bus
Hospet town (13 km) is the main entry point to the historic Hampi city in Karnataka. Hampi is 175 km from Badami, 199 km from Pattadakal, 161 km from Hubli, 124 km from Aihole, and 464 km from Hyderabad. National Highway 63 (NH 63) passes just close to Hampi city. Hampi Bus Station, located in the Hampi Bazaar area, operates express bus services from Hampi to several major cities nearby.
Route Map to Virupaksha Temple Hampi
View Larger Map
Tourist Places in Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi being a historic city features a wide range of tourist attractions including ancient temples, forts, historic monuments, and even hills and mountains. Hampi is believed to be the ancient Kishkinda - the monkey kingdom referred the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’.
Temples in Hampi
Some of ancient temples worth visiting in Hampi include the temple of Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy, Vithala Temple Complex (Vittala Temple), Pattabhirama Temple, Kodanda Rama Temple, Achyutaraya Temple, Balakrishna Temple, Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple, Underground Shiva Temple near the Noblemen’s Quarters, Hemkut Jain Temple (Ganigitti Temple), and the Hazara Rama Temple.
Historic Monuments in Hampi
Other places of tourist interest in Hampi include the Sugriva's Cave, Matanga Hill, Hemakuta Hill, and the Hampi Archeological Museum.
Short Excursion from Hampi - Tourist Places Around Hampi
Tourist visiting Hampi can take a short tour to the nearby tourist places such as the Tungabhadra Dam at Hospet, Chitradurga Fort (Kallina Kote), Pampapati Aalayam, Raghunath Temple, the ancient temple of Anantapadmanabha at Hospet, Ramaswamy Aalayam, Vijaya Vittalaswamy Aalayam, and the Local Antiquities Museum at Chitradurga.
--
You might also be interested in
Udupi Sree Krishna Temple - One of the Seven Places of Pilgrimage
Murudeshwar Temple features World's Largest Shiva Statue
Temples of Karnataka
Famous Temples of Shiva
--
