Hampi, an architectural marvel nestled amidst the rugged hills of Karnataka, India, is an open-air museum whispering tales of the Vijayanagara empire’s glorious past. Standing tall amongst these remnants of a bygone era is the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, a vibrant testament to faith and artistic brilliance. This article explores everything you need to know about this magnificent temple!
The Deity: Lord Virupaksha
The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi dedicates itself to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. In Hampi, people revere him as Virupaksha. The name itself carries immense meaning, translating to “one with an awe-inspiring form.”
A captivating legend narrates a localized tale. People believe that Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati resided here as Pampa and Pampapati, names reflecting their connection to the Tungabhadra River, the lifeblood of Hampi that flows majestically beside the temple. This association with the river adds another layer of significance to the temple’s location and sanctity.
Construction of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi
While the exact origins of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi remain shrouded in mystery, some accounts suggest its existence as early as the 7th century AD. However, the most significant phase of its construction and embellishment occurred during the glorious reign of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646). The Vijayanagara rulers were prolific builders. Their devotion finds expression in the temple’s intricate carvings, towering gopurams (gateway towers), expansive halls, and sprawling courtyards. Not only in Hampi but also in other places, you can find constructions that further augment the number of Hoysalan buildings from an earlier age.
Historical records credit Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under the illustrious King Deva Raya II, with the temple’s grand construction. Under his leadership, he significantly expanded the existing structure, transforming it into the magnificent complex we see today. The dedication and artistic vision of the Vijayanagara rulers ensured that the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi became not just a place of worship but also a symbol of the empire’s cultural and artistic prowess.
Exploring the Architectural Marvels of Virupaksha Temple in Hampi
The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi complex has several architectural wonders, each element a testament to the artistic mastery of the Vijayanagara era. Here are a couple of things you must see when you visit the temple:
The Towering Gopurams
Dominating the eastern entrance is the temple’s tallest gopuram, a nine-storied behemoth adorned with hundreds of intricately carved deities and mythical figures. These sculptures narrate stories from Hindu mythology, each panel a masterpiece of storytelling in stone. The southern and western gopurams, though smaller, are equally magnificent, each reflecting a distinct architectural style within the Vijayanagara tradition.
This is the second highest gopuram in India. The tallest is the gopuram of Meenakshi temple in Madurai.
Intricate Mandapams
The temple complex houses several exquisitely designed halls or mandapas, each serving a specific purpose. The Kalyana Mandapa, with its intricately carved pillars and ornately decorated ceiling, was likely used for royal weddings. The imposing Hamsa Mandapa, with its beautifully sculpted ceiling depicting swans (hamsas) in flight, is a captivating sight. The intricately carved pillars of the Ranga Mandapa, believed to be a performance space, showcase the meticulous attention to detail that characterizes Vijayanagara architecture.
Lakshmi, the Temple Elephant
Adding to the temple’s vibrant atmosphere is Lakshmi, the resident elephant. Lakshmi greets devotees with blessings. For a small offering, she’ll sometimes use her trunk to gently touch your head, a gesture believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Timings
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Preferably consider visiting earlier in the evening. Around 6-6 30 PM, a sound and light show in Hampi Bazaar is organised which is worth visiting. The Hampi Bazaar is the street just outside the temple.
Tickets
There is a modestly priced ticket needed for entry into the inner temple complex. While the price may have changed since we last enquired, it is pretty reasonable.
Carrying food for Lakshmi, the temple elephant
On the way to the temple from the car park, you will find a number of street vendors selling bananas and fruits. If you wish to offer anything to Lakshmi, you could purchase from here and carry it along you to the temple.
Beware of Monkeys
This is one thing you need to be careful of. Monkeys are of course a bit naughty and can cause some chaos if you are not careful. Be aware and cautious, and take care of your belongings here. Within the temple, their activity is substantially less. They are more active on the way from the car park to the temple gopuram / entrance.
Footwear
Footwear is never allowed in the interior of a temple. In many cases, you may have to leave your footwear at a stall where there is a person / staff dedicated to taking care of footwear of all people entering. They again, generally charge a modest fee for their services.
In the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, you will find a footwear stall to the right of the main gopuram entrance in another grilled structure. They typically charge somewhere around Rs. 10 for maintaining footwear for per visitor.
Recent News
May 2024, Virupaksha temple in Hampi was in news due to an unfortunate collapse of an internal structure of the temple due to torrential rains. This has been attributed on occasions to neglect by the ASI. However, it seems the ASI has been taking greater care to ensure protection and maintenance.
January 2024: There have been news around dress code in the temple in Hampi. However, our visit to Virupaksha temple, it did not seem a dress code was being strictly enforced at the time yet.
