The Virupaksha Temple located in Hampi, Karnataka’s Vijayanagara district is part of the Hampi Group of Monuments, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Sri Virupaksha, a Shiva form. Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the Vijayanagara Empire’s ruler Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya, built the temple.

The Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was built with the help of Lakkana Dandesha, a commander under King Deva Raya II. The Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Karnataka’s Vijayanagara district, is evidence of Hampi’s historical and architectural glory.

Special Significance of Virupaksha Temple

Hampi, the Vijayanagara Empire’s capital, is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River (Pampa Hole/Pampa River). Virupaksha Temple is the main pilgrimage site in Hampi and has long been regarded as the most sacred sanctuary. It is still used for worship despite being surrounded by ruins. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known locally as Virupaksha/Pampa pathi, as the consort of the Tungabhadra River goddess Pampadevi. There is also a Virupakshini Amma temple (mother goddess) in Nalagamapalle, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, about 100 kilometres from Tirupati.

History related to Virupaksha Temple

The temple has a continuous history dating back to the 7th century. The sanctuary of Virupaksha-Pampa existed long before the Vijayanagara capital was established here. Inscriptions mentioning Shiva date back to the ninth and tenth centuries. Under the Vijayanagara rulers, what began as a small shrine grew into a large complex. Evidence suggests that additions to the temple were made in the late Chalukyan and Hoysala periods, though the majority of the temple buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagara period.

The massive temple structure was built by Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire’s ruler Deva Raya II. The Virupaksha’s ceiling paintings date from the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The religious sect of Virupaksha-Pampa did not end with the city’s destruction in 1565. Worship has persisted there over the years. Major renovations and additions were made at the beginning of the nineteenth century, including the restoration of some of the broken towers of the north and east gopuras.

This temple is the only well-preserved and maintained temple in Hampi to this day; the Bahmani sultanates destroyed and ruined the other numerous temples in Hampi.

Architecture of Virupaksha Temple

The main temple currently has a sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall, and an open pillared hall. It is embellished with intricately carved pillars. The temple is surrounded by a pillared cloister, entrance gateways, courtyards, smaller shrines, and other structures. The largest at 50 metres, the nine-tiered eastern gateway is well-proportioned and incorporates some earlier structures. It has a stone foundation and a brick superstructure. It provides access to the outer court, which contains numerous sub-shrines.

The smaller eastern gateway leads to the inner court, which contains a plethora of smaller shrines. Another gopuram, the Kanakagiri gopura, leads north to a small enclosure with subsidiary shrines and, eventually, to the river Tungabhadra. The Tungabhadra River flows along the temple’s terrace, then down to the temple kitchen and out through the outer court.

The use of mathematical concepts to build and decorate this temple is one of its most striking features. The temple features repeated patterns that demonstrate the Fractals concept. The temple’s main shape is triangular. The patterns divide and repeat themselves as you look up the temple top, just like in a snowflake or other natural wonder.

Krishnadevaraya, a famous Vijayanagara Empire king, was a major patron of this temple. The central pillared hall, the most ornate of all structures in the temple, is thought to be his contribution to this temple. As is the gateway tower that leads to the temple’s inner courtyard. His contribution to the temple is explained in inscriptions on a stone plaque installed next to the pillared hall. This hall was built to commemorate Krishna Devaraya’s accession in 1510 AD. He also constructed the eastern gopuram. As a result of these additions, the central shrine came to occupy a relatively small portion of the complex.

The temple’s halls were used for a variety of purposes. Some were places where god images were placed to watch special programmes of music, dance, drama, and so on. Others were used to commemorate deity marriages.

Facts about Virupaksha Temple

• Virupaksha Temple is the 7th-century Shiva temple in Hampi, Central Karnataka. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Virupaksha Temple complex is surrounded by three gopuras (towers). The main tower, built in the fifteenth century, is an imposing structure with 9 stories and a height of 50 metres.
• Lord Virupaksha, also referred to as Pampapathi is the main deity in Virupaksha Temple. Virupaksha Temple complex also houses shrines of Bhuvaneshwari and Vidyaranya.
• The eastern tower serves as the main entrance to the Virupaksha Temple. Each floor of the Eastern Tower features intricate craftsmanship and hundreds of Hindu gods and goddesses.
• The main tower’s inverted shadow falls on a wall inside the temple. Your tour guide will assist you in seeing this location.
• The sanctum houses Lord Virupaksha’s idol in the form of a Linga (phallus image). The sanctum is surrounded by a corridor.
• The central pillared hall known as the Ranga Mandapa, added to the temple complex in 1510 AD by Krishadeva Raya, is the most striking feature of this court.
• This temple is on the south bank of the Tungabadra River, right next to where the local bus drops you off.
• The road leading to the temple was beautified during the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya by the restoration of beautiful sculptures.
• During the 15th and 16th centuries, many foreign visitors came to the area and extolled the greatness and beauty of the temple and Hampi City.
• The temple continues to prosper and attracts huge crowds for the betrothal and marriage festivities of Virupaksha and Pampa in December.

Best Time To Visit Virupaksha Temple

This temple’s journey can be taken at any time of year. All of the time, the weather is warm and hospitable.

Famous Festivals In Virupaksha Temple

Millions of people visit this temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here. Some major festivals held here are

• Virupaksha and Pampa Marriage Festival – Devotees celebrate at this temple in the month of December.
• Chariot Festival – In the month of February the annual chariot festival is celebrated here every year.
• Shravan Month – This month is considered the holiest month for lord Shiva devotees.
• MahaShivratri – Mahashivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is the most significant event in the Indian Hindu calendar.

How to Reach Virupaksha Temple

This temple is located in Hampi and is the main attraction in Hampi city.

By Air: Vidyanagar airport is the closest airport (40 km from Hampi) and has daily flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

By Railway: The nearest railway station is Hosapete (15 kilometres from Hampi). There are several buses available from Bengaluru to Hampi.

By Roadways: Sri Virupaksha temple is located at the western end of Hampi Bazaar, 400 metres from Hampi Bus Stand. You can easily reach there by local taxi or bus.

Also, Read –  Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur