Prasanna Virupaksha Temple / Under ground Shiva Temple, Hampi Ruins, Hampi, Karnataka.

… a continuation post to Royal enclosure and Mahanavami Dibba

19^th June 2017

This 14th-century Vijayanagara Period Shiva temple is situated very close to the Akka-Thangaiyaru Kundu. The temple faces east and is much below the ground level hence same is called an underground temple. The dilapidated temple has been renovated and restored in recent times. The temple has a large and wide dvitala gopura / Two tier praveshadvara. The temple has many axial mandapas. The eastern part of the structure has a pillared seven-aisled maha mandapa with a tall and tapering deepasthambham. To the north and south of the mandapas are the remnants of the corridor with pillars. The maha mandapa leads to the three-aisled ardha mandapa that leads to the antarala and sanctum. The temple is also santhara in nature. The Ambal temple is on the northwest of the main temple. The Kalyana mandapam is on the south-west side with ornate in nature.

The inscriptions found in the temple record the name of the temple as Prasanna Virupaksha and King Krishnadevaraya made some donations to this temple on his coronation ceremony. On the stylistic grounds, this temple is dated 14^th century CE.

   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

Mottai Rajagopuram

 Rajagopuram and deepasthampa view from the temple terrace 

 Ambal shrine 

 Varunan? 

 Virabhadrara

Murugan 

… to be continued Hazara Ramachandra Temple 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---