The last some time has seen a prolific rise in tourist interest in the ancient town of Hampi. And, if you have done a bit of research on the town, then you will know by now that the town’s heart is in the temple of Lord Virupaksha Hampi.
A temple that predates the reigns of most known kingdoms of medieval and earlier eras, the history of the temple goes back to the realms of stories in Hinduism. And the roots trace to none other than the most revered of deities, none other than Lord Shiva himself.
Pathbeat’s Digital Guide to Hampi and Virupaksha Temple
Here is a brief note. If you are visiting Hampi, and looking for guides or comprehensive resources to help you make the most out of your visit, do explore our digital guide to Hampi here.
Our guide covers 13 monuments of Hampi, including the Virupaksha temple, more than 40 web stories covering different aspects of the temple and about 7 videos that describe the history of Hampi in story telling videos.
The total content is nearly 2 hours and will help you understand Hampi, tour through the different monuments of the town.
Additionally out guide contains ground level practical information like information on amenities, their locations such as parking lots, rest rooms, restaurants, timings, ticket information etc. All of these together will make your visit to Hampi memorable and easy. Here is a quick introduction to Pathbeat’s guide to Hampi.
The complete guide can be purchased at Rs. 499. Individual monuments may also be purchased at monument specific prices.
Origins of the temple of Virupaksha Hampi
In the Shiva Purana of the distant past, the following lines occur:
10. The infallible weapon became futile on the great lord. The furious weapon calmed down in regard to the great soul, Śiva.
11. Kāma was frightened when his weapon failed, Standing there and seeing lord Śiva, the conqueror of death in front, he trembled.
12. O great sage, when his endeavour became futile, Kāma who was frightened much remembered Indra and all other gods.
13. O great sage, remembered by Kāma, Indra and other gods came there, bowed to and eulogised Śiva.
14. When the gods eulogised thus, a great flame of fire sprang up from the third eye of the infuriated Śiva.
15. That fire originating instantaneously from the eye in the middle of His forehead blazed with flames shooting up and resembling the fire of final dissolution in refulgence.
16. After shooting up in the sky, it fell on the ground and rolled over the earth all round.
17. Even before the gods had the time to say “Let him be forgiven, let him be excused” it reduced Kāma to ashes.
A well known incident that involved one of the few occasions of Shiva’s wrath is described. Incidentally, it is believed to have happened just next to this legendary temple, right on the Hemakuta hill.
Kamdeva, the deity of love, is believed to have dared to inflict Lord Shiva with his divine weapon of mortal love, thus trying to pull Shiva from the realm of Samadhi / meditation to the physical world of attraction. In an act of gross overestimation of his own abilities, he ended up performing the dreaded deed that incurred Shiva’s wrath.
Lord Shiva is often depicted with a third eye on his forehead that is forever closed. Except, when he is immensely enraged. Unfortunately, on this occasion it was Kamdeva on whom his rage would befall.
In an instant, Kamdeva was reduced to ashes. Infact, it is believed much of the rocks and boulders of the Hemakuta hill melted and formed a tank nearby. That tank today is called the Manmatha tank.
At this time, it is also believed that Shiva’s divine consort, Goddess Parvati herself was incarnated in the form of Pampadevi. In fact, it is from Pampa devi’s name that the name of the town, Hampi is derived! #HampiFacts
Pampa devi is also considered as none other than the river Tungabhadra herself! The blurring boundaries in creation between humans, nature and the divine is often baffling to the western mind. Nevertheless, in Hinduism and much of the orient, the entire creation is considered divine and singular.
In her incarnation as Pampa devi, Goddess Parvati did difficult penance to please Shiva and marry him. There would be no way other than the marriage of the two supreme divine representations and thus, Shiva and Parvati (Pampadevi) married here – right in the temple of Virupaksha Hampi.
When the marriage was decided, it had rained gold on the nearby hill. And that was how the Hill of Gold in Hampi got its name. Thus, Hemakuta (or the hill of gold) got its name.
READ MORE: Comprehensive guide to the Virupaksha Temple
Longest active temple of Virupaksha Hampi
Unfortunately, nearly all temples in Hampi were destroyed or heavily damaged after the disastrous battle of Talikota of 1565. The battle where the Sultans of the Deccan joined forces and made the infamous invasion that led to the complete routing of Hampi. It is said that the city that was likely one of world’s richest burnt for the next 6 months. Civilization was annihilated.
The Virupaksha temple was one of the very few that survived. It is unclear why. However, the temple does see active worship daily today. To date thousands of visitors arrive in the temple for darshan, marriages and religious ceremonies. And hundreds of thousands come to visit the temple for site seeing.
The main shrine of the temple has a Swayambhu (self-manifested in nature, not man made) Shivalinga. Such shivalinga temples are considered especially diving and significant. One of the local guides mentioned to us that Lord Rama himself worshiped Shiva here before embarking on his expedition to Lanka in search of Goddess Sita.
The temple was actively contributed by multiple dynasties of Southern India. The Hoysalas of Belur are known to have contributed multiple aspects of the temple. On the nearby Hemakuta hill, there are temples with inscriptions of Kampilideva, the chief of the Kampili kingdom.
Vastu of the temple
Most temples in Hampi are known to follow norms of Vastu significantly. Like most other temples of Hampi, the temple is east facing. The grand gopuram of the temple is towards the east end of the temple. It is called the Vistapaiah gopuram.
On central southern direction lies the temple kitchen or Paakshaala. It is likely that originally the kitchen may have been towards the South East when the temple complex may have been significantly smaller. But, there isn’t a way for us to confirm this.
The main shrine where Lord Virupaksha resides is situated within the inner courtyard. Towards the north of the main shrine are temples dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa devi – forms of Goddess Parvati herself.
Towards the north of the temple, flows the Tungabhadra river. It requires you to walk through the northern gopuram (also known as the Kanakgiri gopuram) and walk a couple hundred meters to reach the ghat of the river!
Krishnadeva Raya and Virupaksha Temple Hampi
A lesser known understanding of Hampi and Vijayanagar stems from the lack of understanding of political India of medieval times. While, it was a time of political turmoil, and before the more published Mughal story, there existed the mighty Hindu empire of Vijayanagar. Hampi was the capital of this state.
And of this empire, the most illustrious Emperor was Krishnadeva Raya. Krishnadeva assumed the throne in 1509, at a time when several kings of the empire were assassinated within a span of very few years. His coronation was followed by a collected invasion by the Bahamani Sultanate in the Battle of Diwani. The political turmoil was significant, people uneasy. But, Krishnadeva destroyed the enemy forces, killing Yusuf Adil Shah in the war.
So, Krishnadeva’s coronation was one of the most significant political events of the times. His coronration had happened in the Rangamantapa of the Virupaksha hampi temple in 1509. Just imagine the joy and expectation of thousands of citizens when the coronation would have happened in the temple. He also built the Raya Gopuram (inner gopuram) of the outer courtyard then.
Vidyaranya Swami and Virupaksha Hampi
It is most likely that you would have heard of Vidyaranya Swami. He was a celebrated Advaitin (guru of Advaita Vedanta school of Philosophy) and wrote several introductory texts (also called Prakarana grantha) to Advaita Vedanta. Most celebrated of them are perhaps Drig Drishya Vivekam, Panchadashi.
The one important thing about him is that he was also the political guru of the founders of Vijayanagar and Hampi – the two brothers Harihara and Bukka Raya. It was under the guidance of Vidyaranya Swami that the city of Hampi and the Vijayanagar empire was founded. In that sense, he played a role very similar to Chankaya in the olden years of Magadha.
On the ceiling of the Rangamantapa of the Virupaksha temple, there are paintings of none other than Vidyaranya Swami himself! Once you are aware of his role in the city of Hampi you are visiting, the significance of the Rangamantapa of the Virupaksha Temple multiplies several fold.
Lakshmi, the temple Elephant
Right in the inner courtyard is the place where Lakshmi, the gentle temple elephant stays. Visiting her requires you to take the free queue first, which is the queue to the left in the inner gopuram. As you enter here, the path will take you directly to Lakshmi.
Here, it is especially important to make sure that the caretaker is present when you approach her. She is very gentle and is known to touch a devotees head with her trunk gently.
If you can, you may consider carrying bananas, fruits available outside the temple, near the Hampi Bazaar street for Lakshmi on your way. Remember though that when carrying the fruit, be a bit careful of the monkeys on the way.
Practical Information
The Virupaksha hampi temple parking lot is about 500 meters from the temple’s entrance. The parking is generally safe. Though you can never be too careful. The street and the parking is full of local, small vendors selling souvenirs, guide books etc. Some of them may be good value additions to your travel plans. A number of tourists do purchase guide books.
About 120 meters from the temple entrance, rest rooms may be found.
Moving away from the temple, after about 100 meters walk, the area to your left is a hub of local, small homestays. You will also find a bunch of eateries, small restaurants and souvenir shops here. You may consider taking a look at options that are available here.
The Virupaksha hampi temple is one of the best places to begin your trip to Hampi. It is an excellent starting point with nearness to other important must visit places. The temple opens at 6 in the morning and closes 9 in the night. During the afternoon, it remains closed for a few hours.
Entry is free. However, there is a 25 Rs. ticket that permits you entry into the garbhagriha. Additionally, there are additional charges that you need to pay for photography and videography in the inner courtyard, beyond the Raya Gopuram.
Conclusion
As of the writing of this piece in January 2025, the above information is known to be correct. In general, this piece should also serve as a good source of information in future. Thought the historical pieces of information will likely remain the same, unless new discoveries are made.
If you are planning to visit Hampi, then do get the Pathbeat web guide to Hampi or Pathbeat’s Android or iOS app to accompany you in your trip.
Happy Traveling!
