Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is one of the oldest and famous temples in
Karnataka, situated at the historic city of Hampi, about 350 km from
Bangalore, in Karnataka, India. Virupaksha Temple is one of the most
famous Hindu spiritual places to visit in Karnataka. Virupaksha Temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva,
worshipped here as Virupaksha (Virupaksheshwara), as the consort of
Goddess Pampa. Hence the temple is also known as Pampapathi Temple. The
presiding female deities are Pampa, who is believed to be the daughter
of Lord Brahma, and Bhuvaneshwari. Virupaksha Temple is also referred as Vijayanagar Temple and Hampi Temple.
Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, lies on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River, to the north of the Hemakuta Hill. The ancient ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi city is listed by UNESCO World Heritage Site as “the Group of Monuments at Hampi”. Read about Hampi Festival in January here
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Virupaksha Temple at Hampi was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II in about A.D.740 to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. Resembling the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, the temple represents the Dravidian architecture. The temple is a huge complex with a Sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and a Mukha Mandapa (entrance porch) also called Ranga Mantapa or an open pillared hall and is enclosed by high Prakara walls. Virupaksha Temple is a perfect example of the Vijayanagara Style of architecture. The main entrance of the Hampi temple is through the chariot street in front of the temple, popularly called the Hampi Bazaar which is considered as the largest of the bazaars of Vijayanagara.
There are three towers in the temple. The nine-tiered eastern gateway is about 50 m high and comprises a two-tiered stone base. Though this entrance dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century, it was renovated in the sixteenth century by Krishnadevaraya (a Vijaynagar ruler). An interesting feature is that the inverted shadow of this huge tower falls on the western wall of the temple through a small hole behind the sanctum. The northern gopuram, known as the Kangiri Gopuram, is a five storey and decorated with beautiful pilasters. The inner eastern gopuram is a three storey structure.
Antarala (a small antechamber), an ‘ardha-mandapa’ (ardha means half) and a ‘maha-mandapa’ or ranga mandapa are seen in front of the sanctum of presiding deity. The Ranga mandapam, built in Vijayanagar style by Krishnadevaraya in 1510 AD, is noted for its bas relief and murals. This five-aisled mandapa is decorated with various types of composite pillars. There are sixteen pillars in the central rectangle, which have mythical lions with chains hanging from their mouths, 'makaras' (a mythical creature) below their feet, and riders, on their backs. Also portrayed here are some of Lord Shiva's manifestations, the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dashavatara) and scenes from Great Sanskrit Indian epic Mahabharata depicting Arjuna's shooting the fish device to win Draupadi's hand. The ardha mandapa is seen to the west of the 'ranga mandapa' and its entrance is flanked by a pair of huge four-armed 'dvarapalas' (guardians of doors). A Vijayanagara structure, the ardha mandapa is decorated with bas-reliefs in its exterior walls and the central ceiling with a multi-petal lotus design.
Shrines Inside Virupaksha Temple
The idol of Lord Virupaksha is seen in the form of a Linga inside the sanctum. The sub shrines of Goddess
Pampa and Goddess Bhuvaneswari, consorts of Lord Shiva, are found towards the north of the main shrine. The shrine for Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is noted for its beautifully worked door-frame, pillars and ceiling panels. The shrine of Pataleswara, a form of Lord Shiva, is seen in an underground chamber. There is also a separate shrine for Navagrahas and for Vidyaranya, the holy founder of Vijayanagar in this temple.
Many shrines and pillars dating back to the 12th century are found in the inner prakaram. The Suryanarayana shrine has a southern form of the deity and the Mukhi Narasimha shrine nearby is a fine specimen of Chalukyan sculpture. Adjacent to this is the Tarakesvara shrine with the figure of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati seated on his lap. In the south-west corner is a Goddess Saraswathi shrine with a small black stone image of a two-armed seated goddess playing on a Veena (Veena, also spelled Vina, is a plucked stringed musical instrument widely used in Carnatic Indian classical music). A black stone figure of the six-armed Mahishamardini is in the western corridor.
Manmantha Tank is the holy pond of the temple. The narrow channel of river Tungabhadra flows along the terrace of the temple. It moves down to the temple kitchen and finally flows through the outer court.
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Festivals
Car Festival
Virupaksha Temple Car Festival (Virupaksha Temple Ratholsavam or Rath Yatra) is held annually during the months of March/April. This Chariot Festival is the largest religious festival celebrated in Hampi, Karnataka. The deities are placed in a huge wooden chariot and taken in procession along the main chariot street in Hampi. Virupaksha Temple Chariot Festival symbolizes the annual ritual marriage of the Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa.
Phalapuja Festival
Held during December, this festival marks the ceremonial betrothal and the marriage of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa.
Deepavali or Diwali and Maha Shivaratri are other important Hindu festivals celebrated at the temple with great religious importance.
Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, lies on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River, to the north of the Hemakuta Hill. The ancient ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi city is listed by UNESCO World Heritage Site as “the Group of Monuments at Hampi”. Read about Hampi Festival in January here
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Virupaksha Temple at Hampi was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II in about A.D.740 to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. Resembling the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, the temple represents the Dravidian architecture. The temple is a huge complex with a Sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and a Mukha Mandapa (entrance porch) also called Ranga Mantapa or an open pillared hall and is enclosed by high Prakara walls. Virupaksha Temple is a perfect example of the Vijayanagara Style of architecture. The main entrance of the Hampi temple is through the chariot street in front of the temple, popularly called the Hampi Bazaar which is considered as the largest of the bazaars of Vijayanagara.
There are three towers in the temple. The nine-tiered eastern gateway is about 50 m high and comprises a two-tiered stone base. Though this entrance dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century, it was renovated in the sixteenth century by Krishnadevaraya (a Vijaynagar ruler). An interesting feature is that the inverted shadow of this huge tower falls on the western wall of the temple through a small hole behind the sanctum. The northern gopuram, known as the Kangiri Gopuram, is a five storey and decorated with beautiful pilasters. The inner eastern gopuram is a three storey structure.
Antarala (a small antechamber), an ‘ardha-mandapa’ (ardha means half) and a ‘maha-mandapa’ or ranga mandapa are seen in front of the sanctum of presiding deity. The Ranga mandapam, built in Vijayanagar style by Krishnadevaraya in 1510 AD, is noted for its bas relief and murals. This five-aisled mandapa is decorated with various types of composite pillars. There are sixteen pillars in the central rectangle, which have mythical lions with chains hanging from their mouths, 'makaras' (a mythical creature) below their feet, and riders, on their backs. Also portrayed here are some of Lord Shiva's manifestations, the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dashavatara) and scenes from Great Sanskrit Indian epic Mahabharata depicting Arjuna's shooting the fish device to win Draupadi's hand. The ardha mandapa is seen to the west of the 'ranga mandapa' and its entrance is flanked by a pair of huge four-armed 'dvarapalas' (guardians of doors). A Vijayanagara structure, the ardha mandapa is decorated with bas-reliefs in its exterior walls and the central ceiling with a multi-petal lotus design.
Shrines Inside Virupaksha Temple
The idol of Lord Virupaksha is seen in the form of a Linga inside the sanctum. The sub shrines of Goddess
Pampa and Goddess Bhuvaneswari, consorts of Lord Shiva, are found towards the north of the main shrine. The shrine for Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is noted for its beautifully worked door-frame, pillars and ceiling panels. The shrine of Pataleswara, a form of Lord Shiva, is seen in an underground chamber. There is also a separate shrine for Navagrahas and for Vidyaranya, the holy founder of Vijayanagar in this temple.
Many shrines and pillars dating back to the 12th century are found in the inner prakaram. The Suryanarayana shrine has a southern form of the deity and the Mukhi Narasimha shrine nearby is a fine specimen of Chalukyan sculpture. Adjacent to this is the Tarakesvara shrine with the figure of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati seated on his lap. In the south-west corner is a Goddess Saraswathi shrine with a small black stone image of a two-armed seated goddess playing on a Veena (Veena, also spelled Vina, is a plucked stringed musical instrument widely used in Carnatic Indian classical music). A black stone figure of the six-armed Mahishamardini is in the western corridor.
Manmantha Tank is the holy pond of the temple. The narrow channel of river Tungabhadra flows along the terrace of the temple. It moves down to the temple kitchen and finally flows through the outer court.
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Festivals
Car Festival
Virupaksha Temple Car Festival (Virupaksha Temple Ratholsavam or Rath Yatra) is held annually during the months of March/April. This Chariot Festival is the largest religious festival celebrated in Hampi, Karnataka. The deities are placed in a huge wooden chariot and taken in procession along the main chariot street in Hampi. Virupaksha Temple Chariot Festival symbolizes the annual ritual marriage of the Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa.
Phalapuja Festival
Held during December, this festival marks the ceremonial betrothal and the marriage of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa.
Deepavali or Diwali and Maha Shivaratri are other important Hindu festivals celebrated at the temple with great religious importance.
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