Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Ruins, Hampi, Karnataka.

 19^th June 2017.

In April 2017, while we ( Mr. Gireesh, Mr. VijayaKumar, and Coimbatore friends) undertook the trekking to Velliangiri hills Mr Gireesh told us that he would arrange a Heritage Visit to Hampi before leaving Bellary official assignment.  Really I was waiting for a chance to see the Hampi ruins. So decided to join him for this heritage visit. Travel arrangements were made well in advance for this Hampi heritage visit scheduled between 16^th June to 18^th June 2017. We took the Habbali express train for the onward journey from Chennai on the 15^th afternoon and returned through the NKSRTC bus. When we told our plan some of our friends threatened that the temperature would be high during June. Against the threat of high temperature and the climate was not too hot as expected and the second day we got wet by rain for about an hour.

Flawless Travel, Stay at Padma Guest House near Virupaksha Temple, food arrangements, and pick up from Railway station and drop at Bus stand were made by Mr Gireesh under the leadership of Mr Rajasekar Pandurangan and his madam Vitya was excellent. My sincere thanks to the organizing team and to my Co-participants.

The first day of our visit was to Virupaksha temple, which is one of the living temples in Hampi. The temple is on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra.

Moolavar    : Sri Virupaksha

Consort      : Sri Pampadevi

Some of the important details are as follows...

The temple faces east on the southern banks of river Tungabhadra with a 9-tier Rajagopuram called Bishtappayya gopura measuring 52.6 meters high.  There is also a 2^nd level 3 tier Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Rishabam Mandapam, and dwajasthambam are after the 2^nd level Rajagopuram.

The praharam sannidhi for  Bhuvaneshwari and Pamapadevi was built during the 11^th century AD. The pillars of Ambal mandapams are made of soap stones exquisitely carved. There is a 5-tier Rajagopuram which leads to the temple tank called Kanakagiri gopuram built by the chief of that place. The outer praharam was built with pillared cloisters used for stores and Sub-Sannadhis.

Mukha mandapam

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, sabha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam built like a mada temple (elevated level). The sanctum's outer walls have reliefs connected to Periyapuram and Lord Shiva’s various forms and kumbha panjaras. The vimanam has stucco images of Saivaite deities. The vimanam was built in Dravidian style with sala, Kuta, and stupi with kalasa.

The mukha mandapa arch has stucco images of Shiva & Parvati marriage, Shiva as Kalahari Murthy, Anantasayana, and Mahishamardini.

The ceiling was plastered with lime mortar and paintings of Shiva’s marriage with Ambal, Manmatha Vijaya, Tripurantaka, and saint Vidyaranya processions,  etc were drawn. The pillars have the reliefs of various savaite deities and mythological images. The approach from the east side of the mukha mandapam has been closed, which will be used during important occasions and the devotees are allowed from the north side entrance.

Deepasthambam, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam mandapam

An old picture of J Greenlaw -1856

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during the Hoysala & Chalukya period and various structures were added between the 7^th century to 15^th century by the Vijayanagara dynasty. The Mukha mandapa was built with 38 pillars and the same was added in 1510 CE by King Krishnadevaraya. The temple of Shiva is under worshiped from the 7^th century till date without break ( break may be during the Bamini and Nayaks wars ).

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The landline telephone number is +91-80-22352828

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is very close to Hampi Bus stand and 12 km from Hospet. Nearest Railway station is Hospet.

Buses are available from Hospet and Bellary.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Carving on a pillar inside the Rajagopuram entrance

A mandapa on the left side of the corridor

Rajagopuram inside view 

reliefs on the sanctum wall ( the story of Kannappa Nayanar )

Pichadanar -  a bas relief 

 The relief on a Pillar is it Krishnadevaraya ( Those who can read Telugu please tell me what is written ) 

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

Tungabhadra river banks reliefs on the rocks

Tungabhadra river banks reliefs on the rocks

The emblem of the Vijayanagara dynasty

Introduction meeting of the members of the group  participated in the Hampi Heritage Visit on the banks of Tungabhadra river 

..... to be continued Sri Vittala temple

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---