The Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka, is a living evidence of India’s artistic and scientific achievements that one cannot help but, admire about the Vijayanagar Empire. Known for its carved detailed designs, fabulous Stone Chariot and the puzzling musical pillars, this temple is a must see for visitors and history buffs. But, in what remains of the lost and destroyed art, there remains a strange, mysterious question – where is the original idol of Lord Vittala today? For the sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha of the temple lies tragically devoid of the deity.
Built in the 15th century, the Vittala Temple was once a busy center of devotees. All around the temple was a super-busy marketplace where traders from the world over would gather everyday. The temple’s inner sanctum was adorned with an idol of the kind Lord Vittala, a form of Lord Vishnu, one of the trinity of the supreme deities of Hinduism. Now, the temple stands as a quiet wonder, its inner space bare and lacking its once-grandeur.
The missing idol of the deity raises many questions. Was the idol moved for safety during the attacks of Talikota? Was it hidden in a nearby shrine, or could the deity have been taken to far places like Pandharpur in Maharashtra, where Lord Vittala is still prayed? This puzzle, mixed with the temple’s rich past and cultural value, makes the Vittala Temple in H͏ampi, Karnataka not just an old temple but a tale ready to be told.
Pathbeat’s Digital Guide to Hampi and Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka
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 Vittala temple, more than 40 web stories covering different aspects of the temple, and about 7 videos that describe the history of Hampi in storytelling videos.
The total content is nearly 2 hours duration and will help you understand Hampi tour through the different monuments of the town.
Additionally, our guide contains ground-level practical information like information on amenities and their locations, such as parking lots, restrooms, 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.
READ MORE: All about the Vijaya Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka
A Sacred Past: History of the Vittala Idol
The Vittala Temple Hampi, Karnataka, is a grand symbol of the Vijayanagara Empire’s art and faith. Built in the 15th century under King Devaraya II, this temple was constructed for Lord Vittala. The idol of Lord Vittala was placed in the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The idol brought devotees from around the area, and the Vittala Temple rapidly became a key place for worship in the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple had popular celebrations, daily rituals, and social events, where art, culture and faith intersected. The temple’s architecture is of Dravidian style, showing the Vijayanagara Empire’s focus on new ideas and art skills. Its detailed design, the great Stone Chariot, and the interesting musical pillars have come to become wonders in the modern times.
A Key Point in Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka: The Displacement of the Idol
The second half of the 16th century was a troubled time for the Vijayanagara Empire. The impact of the century echoed through each and every corner of Hampi. The big destruction that follower the Battle of Talikota in 1565 marked the beautiful town’s tragic end; the once-busy town is said to have burnt for six months. The invading armies wreaked barbaric destruction, aiming its grand temples, monuments, and valuable cultural items, including the Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka.
In the aftermath of this bloody battle, the local citizenry and devotees of the Lord Vittala made great efforts to protect the idol of Lord Vittala in whichever way they could. Old records hint that the idol was moved from the garbhagriha here to keep it safe from destruction. The choice to move the idol was based on some key considerations:
1. Security Concerns
The idol of the deity was a representation of the divine and reflected the spirit and culture of the Vijayanagara era. For devotees and temple workers, keeping it safe from enemies was the main job.
2. Targeted Destruction
Invaders would break idols to lower the spirit of local people. Taking away the idol was a way to stop this kind of barbarism.
3. Preservation for Future Generations
In lots of instances, idols were moved to safer shrines or hidden spots to protect them. Moving the idol was an important event in the Vittala Temple’s story. With the destruction of Hampi, the importance of the temple and the entire city was rapidly lost. Nature reclaimed most of the town from civilisation.
Today, the Vittala Temple Hampi Karnataka, still charms guests with its architecture and beauty, even if the puzzle of the moved idol brings a bit of mystery to its tale.
Theories and Possibilities: Where is the Idol today?
The current location of the original Vittala Idol remains a mystery, giving rise to various theories and speculations.
The Battle of Talikota, also known as the Battle of Rakkasa-Tangadi, was a war fought in 1565 between the Vijayanagara Empire and a coalition of Deccan Sultanates. Aliya Rama Raya was the de facto ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire. As the armies clashed at Talikota, the battle was initially in favour of Vijaynagar’s forces. According to one account, the Vijayanagara army had an infantry numbering 140,000 soldiers compared to the 80,000 of the allied Deccan Sultanates. The turning point came when the Gilani brothers, commanders in Rama Raya’s army, switched allegiance during the battle, severely weakening the might of the Vijayanagara forces. This resulted in the capture and beheading of Rama Raya, sending his troops into complete disarray. Around this time the main idol of Lord Vittala went missing. This led to many myths about the whereabouts of Vittala’s ancient idol.
The most recent finding is about an ancient Vittala idol discovered in famous Pandharpur temple in Maharastra. Some claim that this corroborates with the legend about the idol being shifted to avoid destruction. This ancient idol has been discovered in a secret chamber in Pandharpur temple and appears to be “clearly ancient” and sports a Sri Vaishnava-style tilaka.
It is believed in Hampi that the Maratha Sardars in the invading Sultanate forces managed to save the idol of Vijaya Vittala temple and safeguarded it in Pandharpur. While Pandharpur has its own rich history, devotees often draw parallels between the two temples due to their shared reverence for Lord Vittala.
A question that remains to be seen is if the idol is reestablished in the temple of Hampi?
A Monument Without Its Heart
Vittala Temple still remains a historical and cultural site even wi͏thout the o͏riginal idol. Its Dravidian architectural styles, Stone Chariot, Ranga Mantapa, and Musical Pillars, draw v͏isitors globally.
However the missing deity of the temple is indeed heart breaking.
Why the Mystery Matters
This t͏ale of͏ Lord Vitta͏la’s idol being saved from destruction shows India’s enduring cult͏u͏r͏e legacy. Th͏e r͏el͏ocating͏ of the idol is the testament of individuals to͏ safeguard their belief and customs in challenging times. The mystery surrounding the idol’s location is an essential part of the history of the temple.
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Boundaries
V͏ittala Temple Hampi Karnataka showcases the exemplary artist͏ic and spiritual achievements͏ ͏of Vijayanaga͏r͏a͏ Empi͏re. Despite the original idol’s unknown whe͏reabouts, the temple remains a source of wonder and respect. For ͏visi͏tors discovering Hamp͏i this temple o͏ffers more t͏h͏a͏n͏ just history. It provides access to a realm of dedication, enigma and ageless magnificence.
