The Virupaksha Temple was commissioned by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under the rule of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Who built the temple?
The initial construction dates back to the 7th century, with significant additions and renovations carried out in the 14th and 16th centuries.
One of the temple’s most intriguing features is the inverted shadow of the temple’s main tower (gopuram), which is projected onto the wall of the main sanctum through a small hole in the wall.
Mysteries around the Virupaksha Temple
This phenomenon is a result of pinhole camera optics, but it has often been a source of fascination and mystery for visitors.
The temple suffered significant damage during the Deccan Sultanates' invasion in 1565 after the Battle of Talikota, but it continued to function and was later restored.
Destruction and Renovation
What to see:Main Gopuram (Entrance)
The towering entrance structure, standing at about 50 meters high, is a striking feature and a classic example of Dravidian architecture.
The innermost chamber where the main deity, Virupaksha (a form of Shiva), is enshrined.
What to see:Sanctum Sanctorum
Various inscriptions by the famous Vijayanagara king can be found within the temple.
What to see:Krishnadeva Raya's inscriptions
They highlight Krishnadevaraya's role as a patron of the Virupaksha Temple and his significant contribution to its architectural grandeur.
What to see:Krishnadeva Raya's inscriptions
Lakshmi is the resident elephant at the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi. She bathes early mornings in the Tungabhadra river and blesses devotees who visit her.
What to see:Lakshmi, the temple elephant
The large open area where various temple activities and festivals take place.
What to see:Temple courtyard
The Tungabhadra River is the lifeblood of Hampi. It flows to the north of the temple, adjacent to it. Stairs across the second Gopuram of the temple descend to the river.
What to see:Tungabhadra river
It is a unique statue located at the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, India. Its three faces are said to symbolize the past, present, and future.
What to see:Three Headed Nandi
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