The temple of Lord Virupaksha Hampi is the best preserved structure amongst the hundreds of monuments that together constitute the Hampi’s group of UNESCO world heritage monuments. It may verily be considered the heart of Hampi where Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa devi reside.
The origins of Hampi trace back much beyond the Vijayanagar empire. The earliest stories related to the place pertain to the episode when Kamdeva, the god of Love attempted to distract Lord Shiva from his meditation. Shiva, when pulled out from his meditation due to the impact of Kamdeva’s arrow, responded by opening his third eye of destruction. This act burnt Kamdev. It is believed from then, while Shiva granted him life back, Kamdev lived on – though without a physical form.
Most people, and likely you, would perhaps not know that the site of this incident was right next to the Virupaksha temple.
Layout of the Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha temple is one of the busiest monuments in Hampi. The main reason is that the temple continues to be a place of daily worship. Devotees visit the temple for many reasons, including Puja, marriages, simple devotion or even tourist purposes.
What is the best way to visit the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
One of the challenges in visiting busy temples is the lack of certainty and understanding of what are the traditions and layouts of the temple. So is the case with the Virupaksha Temple.
If you are visiting in peak season, such as now in the winters, it is likely that you will be overwhelmed by the number of devotees and tourists visiting the temple. However, when visiting, keep in mind, that you should give yourself adequate time to appreciate each and every part of the temple, without haste and discomfort.
In this article, let us guide you through the different parts of the temples you will visit when you reach the Virupaksha temple.
The Vistapaiah Gopuram, Temple of Lord Virupaksha, Hampi
The 9-storeyed 52 meter tall gopuram that mightily stands to greet every visitor. It is likely you will witness a large number of visitors rushing through the gopuram. However, keep in mind, before you enter, there is a footwear stall towards the right of the gopuram.
Like most other temples in Hampi, this gopuram too faces the east.
As of January 2025, they charge a very nominal Rs 2 per footwear for the safekeeping. Leave your footwear here, and then head back to the gopuram. If you are using Pathbeat’s audio tour for Virupaksha temple, then there is around a 5 minute introduction to the importance of the temple that you must listen to before you venture inside the temple.
Get Pathbeat’s Virupaksha Temple Audio Guide
The Footwear stall is about 50 meters from the main gopuram.
The Outer Courtyard
Immediately on walking through the gopuram, you will find yourself in a large courtyard. Mind you this is not the inner quarters – the outer space of the temple. Once you have entered, before rushing into the second gopuram that you will see visitors rushing through to, it is highly recommended to find some space with shade and quiet to look around yourself. Absorb the space and environment.
Again, if you are using Pathbeat’s audio guide for Virupaksha temple, then stand in a shade immediately after the gopuram, and listen to the audio. It will introduce you to the courtyard and things to see there. Primarily, there are two things of interest here:
- The underground water canals
- 100 pillared hall of Krishnadeva Raya
Underground Water Canals and 100 pillared hall
Next two stops while at the outer courtyard are these two points. Very surprisingly, the Virupaksha temple, Hampi has underground canals that source water from the Tungabhadra river. The extent of these canals is unknown.
A second structure that you should visit is the 100 pillared hall, that was built by Krishnadeva Raya. The hall isn’t very well maintained today, however, it still does give you a taste of the bygone era.
When at both of these places, make sure that you are again spending sufficient time and not rushing through like most others who would have entered with you.
Read More: All about the Temple of Lord Virupaksha Hampi
Inner Gopuram or Raya Gopuram
From here, you will enter the inner precincts of the temple. The gateway that separates the inner space is called the Raya Gopuram. This again, was built by Krishnadeva Raya upon his becoming the king.
This is the first place where you may be confused on the way of entering. This is the first point where you need to make a choice of joining one of two different lines. The line to the left is free, while the one that passes immediately to the right is paid.
If you take the free queue, it will take you to visit Lakshmi, the temple elephant. You may offer something to the caretaker for Lakshmi.
This queue will take you straight to the main shrine of the temple. You will not have much freedom to explore other areas of the inner courtyard until after darshan of Lord Virupaksha in the main shrine. Till the darshan, you will follow a narrow queue.
On the other hand if you purchase the Rs 25 ticket, it will take you to the broader inner courtyard, where you can explore at your leisure before entering the main shrine. The additional benefit here is – if you are carrying the ticket, you are allowed to enter the main garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum of the deity.
So, if you wish to visit Lakshmi, the temple elephant first, first take the free queue, return back and then pay for the ticket and re-enter into the inner courtyard.
Rangamantapa
This is perhaps one of the most iconic of the places in the temple. While you are here, make sure you are not in a hurry, standing inside the Rangamantapa, and have turned on your Pathbeat audio guide. Listen to it without hurry or haste.
The rangamantapa has a number things to see on the pillars, frescoes, and paintings. Take your time and observe everything around you.
An interesting aspect of the hall is this is where Krishnadeva Raya was coronated just before the Battle of Diwani. At this point, you will see the figures of Yali carved on pillars of the temple. Read a bit of them before you visit.
Main Shrine
Finally, you will be in the main shrine. It is situated right behind the Rangamantapa. Listen to the segment of the main shrine on Pathbeat before you enter. This is because the interiors could be quite busy, with lots of people. Plus, it is likely you may not have enough coverage.
So, it will be a better idea to first listen to the audio, and only after you have completed, then enter the main shrine for the visit.
Bhuvaneshwari Devi and Pampa devi Temples
Once you are out of the main shrine, you will exit from the northern exit on the other end of the temple. Immediately on exit, you will see small stairs climbing up to another temple along the rooms on the edge which house shrines to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa devi. They are both forms of Goddess Parvati, divine consort of Lord Shiva.
Again, you will not be able to listen to an audio when inside. Instead listen to this segment of the Pathbeat audio tour before you enter. Once done, climb up the short flight of stairs, enter the temple.
Learn more about Pathbeat Audio Guides for India
Rest of the temple
From here, you can visit the rest of the temple. The Pathbeat guide will take you through to the Manmatha tank, two pre-Vijayanagar temples near the Manmatha tank and then eventually to the banks or ghat of the Tungabhadra river.
The last will need you to walk a bit. It could be a bit bothersome if you are not accustomed to walking without footwear on roads. If that is the case, then you may as well leave the temple, collect your footwear, and then reach the river from the outer road. That is perfectly doable as well.
Timings of the temple
The temple is generally open right from the early morning, around 6 AM up till night time, around 9 PM. However, it is best visited during either early hours or bit later in the evening when the weather has become pleasant.
It is a fantastic place to start your trip of Hampi. Especially because, Lord Virupaksha is the presiding deity of the town. Taking his blessings at the outset is a great idea before you venture to other parts of the town!
Public Amenities nearby
The street just outside the main gopuram of the Virupaksha temple is quite busy and well equipped for common wants. There is a public toilet about 120 meters from the gateway. The street is filled with local stalls and eateries.
A street right up ahead to the left when exiting from the temple is dotted with homestays, local eateries and souvenir shops that you may want to explore before you leave.
The parking lot is about 500 meters from the temple. It is a simple walk without many challenges. The only thing to take care of is the presence of monkeys. Keep your belongings close to you and be careful.
The Temple of Lord Virupaksha, Hampi in January 2025
If you are planning to visit the Virupaksha Temple in the coming days or weeks, we hope you will have a fantastic experience. We strongly advice hiring a guide or getting Pathbeat’s audio guide for Hampi.
Pathbeat’s Hampi guide gives you detailed information on the monuments, including timings, ticket information, things to be prepared for when visiting, things to see, important photography points – in addition to immersive audio guides that will make your visit easy, economical and memorable.
Carry Pathbeat with you – and have a simple, worry free journey!
Happy Traveling.
