Virupaksha temple which is also referred to as Prasanna Virupaksha temple is a shiva temple which is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi.
Hampi is an ancient temple town located in South India and is acknowledged as one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.
The Virupaksha temple’s chronicle finds it’s mention from around the seventh century. While it is located at present-day Hampi, it was once a smaller shrine which was developed into a bigger structure under the Vijayanagara rule.
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History of The Temple
The Archaeological Survey of India recognises that the temple was built by the queen of Vikramaditya II, named Lokamahadevi. To commemorate the King’s success in a battle over the Pallavas of Kanchi.
Hence, many inscriptions also refer to the temple as ‘Lokeshwara Mahasila Prasada’ in praise of the queen’s generosity.
What began as a small ‘pre-Virupaksha temple’, grew bigger with multiple gopurams and pillared halls under the rule of King Deva Raya II.
While subsequent invasions of Vijayanagar by empires from the north destroyed most of Vijayanagar empire and Hampi, many parts of the majestic Virupaksha temple were luckily unharmed.
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple
Facing east, this temple has on plan a square sanctum (garbhagriha) with a circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha), an antarala with two small shrines for Ganesa and Mahishamardini facing each other infront, a sabha-mandapa with entrance porches on the east, north and south and a separate Nandi-mandapa in front.
The complex is enclosed by high prakara walls. Against the inner faces of these walls there were small shrines (originally 32) dedicated to the subsidiary deities (parivaradevatas) of which only a few are extant now. The enclosure has been provided with ornate entrance gates ((pratolis) on both east and west.
The temple is built on a high plinth of five fully evolved mouldings. The outer faces of the walls of the sanctum are divided into a central projection, two intermediate projections and two corner projections with four recesses in between.
Likewise, the mandapa walls on either side of the northern, eastern and southern proches are divided into two projections and two recesses.
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All these projections of the sanctum walls carry niches housing images of Saiva and Vaishnava deities like Bhairava, Narasimha, Hari-Hara, Lakulisa etc., while there are perforated windows of various design in the rest of the recesses.
The parapet consists of architectural elements called kutas (square), panjaras (miniature apsidal shrines) and salas (oblong) corresponding to the projections below and the linking courses (harantaras) above the recesses. The superstructure over the sanctum is a Dravida-vimana in three storeys with a sukasana projection over the antarala.
It is square in plan and repeats in its elevation many elements of the parapet and walls beneath. It has a beautifully shaped square roof (shikhara) with a round finial kalasa above.
The whole of the interior of this temple is embellished with elegant carvings and aesthetically modeled sculptures. Episodes from the Ramayana (e.g. abduction of Sita) Mahabharata (e.g. Bhishma lying in a bed of arrows), Bhagavata (e.g. Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain) and Kiratarjuniya (e.g. Arjuna receiving the Pasupatastra from Siva) are depicted on the pillars of the sabha- mandapa and the pilasters here have the sculptures of amorous couples and Rati and Manmatha.
Flora, fauna and geometrical patterns adorn various parts of the temple. Doorjambs (dwara-shakhas) with their delicate carvings, pillars and pilasters with various types of capitals and carvings on their faces, lintels relieved with animals, birds and architectural motifs, ceilings depicting divine beings and the majestically standing dwarapalas.
All unfold a ricj world of plastic art before the connoisseurs and attest to the heights reached by the Chalukyan sculptures.
The Nandi-mandapa situated to the east of the temple, is a square pavilion open on all the four sides. It houses a large image of Nandi on a raised floor. Its flat roof is supported by four pillars and short lengths of walls whose outer surfaces are carved with attendant figutes and Kinnara-mithunas (couples).
Credits: Archaeological Survey of India
Quick Facts
- Address: River Rd, Hampi, Karnataka 583239
- District: Ballari district
- Completed: 14th century
- Deity: Pampa pathi or Virupaksha (Shiva)
- Timings : 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Time Required : 1-2 hrs
- Dress Code : None. But it is recommended to dress modestly.
- Photography: inside the sanctums is not allowed.
- Entry Fee: NIL
- Festivals: Chariot Festival , Phalapuja festival , Shivaratri
Astonishing Facts about Virupaksha temple
One of the most striking features of this temple is the usage of mathematical concepts to build and decorate it. The temple has repeated patterns that demonstrate the concept of Fractals.
The main shape of the temple is triangular. As one looks up the temple top, the patterns divide and repeat themselves, just like one would see in a snowflake or some other natural wonders.
The temple architecture is designed such that the inverted shadow of the Raja Gopuram falls more than 300 feet away on the wall of the Saalu Mantapa. Which is at the other end of the Virupaksha temple. This happens through a small opening, which acts like an aperture.
When sunlight falls on the gopuram it blocks the light due to this there is formation of shadow and this shadow has to fall in front of the gopuram but somehow the architect of the temple was able to make it fall through an opening and this opening acts as a mirror that reflects and inverts the image.
How to Reach Virupaksha Temple ?
By Air
The nearest airport to Virupaksha Temple is at Bellary which is located at about 350 KM . One can take a taxi from the airport.
By Rail
The nearest railway station to Hampi is at Hospet which is about 12 KM. One can hire a cab or taxi to reach the place.
By Road
Ballari District is well connected by Bus through state highway and National Highway. Buses are available to all major cities of karnataka from ballari ( 65 Kms from Hampi ) and Hosapete (12 Kms from Hampi).
Where To Stay?
Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari
Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari Kamalapur in Hampi is the only hotel located within the World Heritage Site area. The hotel provides its esteemed guests with 30 air-conditioned rooms with the option of a suite, deluxe and semi-deluxe accommodation and 6 dormitories.
This hotel is managed by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.
Estimated Tarrif: 400 INR – 4200 INR
Note: We don’t make any guarantees if the above-stated facts are not correct. If you think any information provided by us is wrong then contact us.
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