Virupaksha Temple in Hampi Karnataka

Here is  Some Information about  Virupaksha Temple in Hampi Karnataka India.

Location:  on the south bank of the river Tungabadra ,Hampi Town Karnataka.
Built in: 7th century AD
Built By: Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Entry:Free
Photography:Allow
Significance: One of the shiva temple
Temple Timing: 9:00 Am to 1:00Pm ,5:00Pm to 8:00 Pm
Visiting Timing: 3Hours
Best time to Visit: Oct to Feb
Phone : +91-80-22352828
Nearest Railway Station: Hampi station
Nearest Airport: Bangalore Airport

The Virupaksha Temple is Located on the south bank of the river Tungabadra ,Hampi Town Karnataka.This area in general has been an important pilgrimage centre for the worshipers of lord Shiva. Virupaksha temple is equally sort after by the tourists and pilgrims.The Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple complex at Hampi, the erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagar empire, and the monuments at Pattadkal in Bagalkot district has been included in the list of 25 ‘adarsha smaraks’ in the country.The Union government decided to award the tag to monuments which record the highest number of tourists. They would be given special attention to boost international tourism under the Adarsh Smarak Yojana.The Virupaksha temple is consecrated to Shiva as the consort of Pampa. Local mythology identifies this local goddess with the Tungabhadra River; indeed Hampi is named in her honour. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well before the foundation of the Vijayanagara capital.

Tower of the main entrance don't just seem to be reaching up to the heavens above, they are sky-high, measuring 50 meters in height. The temple's complex is replete with small shrines, gateways, courtyards, three ante chambers, pillared pavilion, etc. Its central chamber was built under the patronage of King Krishnadevaraya and is perhaps the temple's most ornate structure. At varied points in the temple's complex you will find inscriptions dating to its origins, 9th-10th century, as well as its glorious years, the 14th century.

A fascinating aspect of the temple is the inverted pinhole image of its tower cast on one of its inner walls. Don't forget to get the blessings of Lakshmi, the resident temple elephant, on your visit to the Virupaksha Temple. On most days, the temple is home to hundreds of chattering monkeys. However, in December and February, when the temple festivals are celebrated, it comes alive with a different kind of chatter and resounds with festivities.

-- Read more: https://www.ixigo.com/virupaksha-temple-hampi-india-ne-1281867

Tower of the main entrance don't just seem to be reaching up to the heavens above, they are sky-high, measuring 50 meters in height. The temple's complex is replete with small shrines, gateways, courtyards, three ante chambers, pillared pavilion, etc. Its central chamber was built under the patronage of King Krishnadevaraya and is perhaps the temple's most ornate structure. At varied points in the temple's complex you will find inscriptions dating to its origins, 9th-10th century, as well as its glorious years, the 14th century.

A fascinating aspect of the temple is the inverted pinhole image of its tower cast on one of its inner walls. Don't forget to get the blessings of Lakshmi, the resident temple elephant, on your visit to the Virupaksha Temple. On most days, the temple is home to hundreds of chattering monkeys. However, in December and February, when the temple festivals are celebrated, it comes alive with a different kind of chatter and resounds with festivities.

History of   Virupaksha Temple

This temple has ancient inscriptions which date back to 9th and 10th centuries. Originally it was a small shrine, and the sanctuary of Virupaksha–Pampa existed prior to the commencement of the Vijayanagara Empire. However, the Vijayanagara rulers were responsible for building this small shrine into a large temple complex.Although most of the temple buildings were constructed during the Vijayanagara rule, some few were also erected during the late Hoysala and Chalukya empires.
Major renovations and additions were carried out in the 19th century and gopuras were established and ceilings painted during this time. 

Architecture of  Virupaksha Temple

The temple is built on a high plinth of five fully evolved mouldings. The outer faces of the walls of the sanctum are divided into a central projection, two intermediate projections and two corner projections with four recesses in between. Likewise, the mandapa walls on either side of the northern, eastern and southern proches are divided into two projections and two recesses. All these projections of the sanctum walls carry niches housing images of Saiva and Vaishnava deities like Bhairava, Narasimha, Hari-Hara, Lakulisa etc., while there are perforated windows of various design in the rest of the recesses. The parapet consists of architectural elements called kutas (square), panjaras (miniature apsidal shrines) and salas (oblong) corresponding to the projections below and the linking courses (harantaras) above the recesses. The superstructure over the sanctum is a Dravida-vimana in three storeys with a sukasana projection over the antarala. It is square in plan and repeats in its elevation many elements of the parapet and walls beneath. It has a beautifully shaped square roof (shikhara) with a round finial kalasa above.

The whole of the interior of this temple is embellished with elegant carvings and aesthetically modeled sculptures. Episodes from the Ramayana (e.g. abduction of Sita) Mahabharata (e.g. Bhishma lying in a bed of arrows), Bhagavata (e.g. Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain) and Kiratarjuniya (e.g. Arjuna receiving the Pasupatastra from Siva) are depicted on the pillars of the sabha- mandapa and the pilasters here have the sculptures of amorous couples and Rati and Manmatha. Flora, fauna and geometrical patterns adorn various parts of the temple. Doorjambs (dwara-shakhas) with their delicate carvings, pillars and pilasters with various types of capitals and carvings on their faces, lintels relieved with animals, birds and architectural motifs, ceilings depicting divine beings and the majestically standing dwarapalas all unfold a ricj world of plastic art before the connoisseurs and attest to the heights reached by the Chalukyan sculptures.

How To Reach Virupaksha Temple Hampi 

By Road : There are many public and private vehecals available to reach Virupaksha Temple in Hampi .

By Rail : The Nearest railway station is Hampi station.

By Air : The Nearest Airport is Bangalore Arport.

Picture Gellery of  Virupaksha Temple  Hampi

Google Map of  Virupaksha Temple in Hampi

Tower of the main entrance don't just seem to be reaching up to the heavens above, they are sky-high, measuring 50 meters in height. The temple's complex is replete with small shrines, gateways, courtyards, three ante chambers, pillared pavilion, etc. Its central chamber was built under the patronage of King Krishnadevaraya and is perhaps the temple's most ornate structure. At varied points in the temple's complex you will find inscriptions dating to its origins, 9th-10th century, as well as its glorious years, the 14th century.

A fascinating aspect of the temple is the inverted pinhole image of its tower cast on one of its inner walls. Don't forget to get the blessings of Lakshmi, the resident temple elephant, on your visit to the Virupaksha Temple. On most days, the temple is home to hundreds of chattering monkeys. However, in December and February, when the temple festivals are celebrated, it comes alive with a different kind of chatter and resounds with festivities.

-- Read more: https://www.ixigo.com/virupaksha-temple-hampi-india-ne-1281867