One of the most beautiful temples is the Hazara Rama Temple. Located in the Royal Complex in Hampi, it was perhaps the temple of the Vijayanagar royal family.
Literally, the word Hazara translates to ‘Thousand’ and Rama refers to Lord Rama. As we see in the description of Kishkindha, Hampi was the site of one of the most important episodes of Ramayana. There are extensive carvings from the Ramayana in the temple as well.
The Royal Complex
The Royal Complex was the heart of the Vijayanagar Empire. It was the seat of the Emperor and their family.
The complex was naturally centrally located. It housed royal residence and other administrative buildings. The complex embodied the the authority and grandeur of the Empire.
The complex was likely fortified by strong walls. Even in the ruins today, you can see the once present fortifications. The Royal Complex likely housed various structures like audience halls, temples, treasuries, gardens, and quarters for royal officials.
The Hazar Rama temple is in the heart of the Royal Complex.
Carvings on the Temple
The temple is renowned for its intricate carvings that depict scenes from the Ramayana, the epic Hindu tale of Lord Rama. These carvings are considered some of the most extensive and well-preserved examples of Vijayanagara era art.
Some instances for important Ramayana scenes:
1. The story starts from King Dasaratha (father of Lord Rama) performing a yajna (religious ceremony) to be blessed with children. This is followed by scenes depicting Rama’s birth, his childhood, and his marriage to Sita in a swayamvara (bridegroom selection) competition.
2. Rama breaking the powerful bow of Shiva, a feat no other contestant could manage, to win Sita’s hand in marriage.
3. The exile of Lord Rama and his divine consort Mother Sita and brother Lakshman joining him in his exile.
4. The abduction of Mother Sita by the demon king Ravana.
5. The epic battle between Rama and Ravana, culminating in Rama’s victory.
Apart from scenes from Ramanaya, there are other generic carvings like:
- Royal processions with elephants, horses, and soldiers.
- Musicians and dancers, reflecting the cultural aspects of the Vijayanagara era.
- Images of various Hindu deities like Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha.
The carvings on the walls of this temple are in remarkable detail, exquisite and reflect tremendous skill and craftsmanship of the Vijayanagar architects, artisans and workers.
Summary
The Hazara Rama Temple offers a unique combination of history, art, and culture. It’s a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in these aspects. Some suggestion for before you visit the temple:
- Do some research on the Ramayana beforehand. Familiarizing yourself with the story will help you appreciate the carvings even more.
- Look at pictures of the temple online to get a sense of its current state and the type of carvings you’ll see.
