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Monday, April 7, 2014

Hampi - The Virupaksha Temple

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HAMPI - INDEX

Chapter 6: The Royal Centre
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<< Go Back - First Glimpse of Hampi

>> Next - The Hemakunta Hill

The Virupaksha Temple:

We were drooling at this magnificent 15th century, 13 story-ed temple. You enter through a complex 13 storyed gopuram.


Virupaksha temple : The Virupaksha temple is located at the foot of the Hemakunta hill. It is the core of the village of Hampi. Virupaksha temple contains shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Pampa. Generally speaking, this temple has an uninterrupted history from the day it was built. It was a small shrine then. Krishnadevaraya and later rulers made it magnifacient.
Presently, the main temple consists of a  Sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and a Mukha Mantapa also called Ranga Mantapa or an open pillared hall.

The Ranga mantapa consists of 38 pillars, relieved with sculptures. These pillars are divided into two vertical sections - the first is cut to resemble a rearing Yali - a mythical lion, standing on a Makara, while the second section is basically square with small relief, depicting mostly Shaiva themes. These pillars are aesthetically composed and skilfully constructed. The ceiling as well as the beams supporting the ceilings is covered with painted panels. The panel depicts themes from the Mahabharatha, the Ramayana and the Shiva Puranas as well as from the contemporary life.

The cult Shaivaite cult didnot end following the downfall of Vijaynagara kingdom. Hence this temple never fell in ruins like others. It is still an active place of worship for the Pampa-Shiva worshiping sect.

We spent an evening in the Ranga mandapa. ranga mandapa is a rectangular space which leads to second tower and then into the main sanctum. Since entry is restricted after 8 PM in the inner sanctum, we spent evening at the Ranga Mandapa.
Pics;



We caught hold of a Chinese who was on his own exploring the ruins. I wonder how he made it till here because he didnt knew english! Nevertheless, anyone irrespective of caste creed colour culture can understand that i want to take photos with you.
The locals boys immediately joined in.


It was dinner time, and no one (who is not an agent or a tout) will suggest other than the "Mango restaurant" You name it, they have it..




With a fully belly, we crashed in bed..

Day 2 : They day began with Virupaksha temple itself. We wanted to access the main sanctum.

The early morning view of the temple. 

We enter through gateway to Ranga mandapa. Wherever there is a shiva temple, there is always a Nandi. See the Mandapam (veranda)

The first courtyard has a pillared hall called 100-column hall at the far left corner, Kalyanamantapa at the far right corner. Both sets of pillars stand 10-15 feet high and appear to be carved out of a single block of stone.
 There is one wierd tree at the center of the first courtyard. The second entrance as seen in the pic.








The second tower is a 3 storyed structure. An access to inner sanctum.

We get inside; (This is the gate that was closed yesterday)
Inside the temple, is the first glimpse of the spectacular pillar art.


The main sanctum. The main temple is in the center of the pic.

Pillar art : Simply spectacular.



The drum that is used for processions.

Some of the figures on pillars;


The most amazing feat was this Nagada carved entirely out of rock boulder!

At the main temple entrance. There is a rock edict in Telugu language giving details on the construction and repairs by Vijayanagara kings.

 The entrance is carved out of holy figures.

This is Shiva guarding the entrance.

There are lovely carvings on the temple pillars inside! No photography is allowed, still i squeezed in one pic of 10ft high Shiva statue guarding the lingam.

The Shivlingam is tiny. After quick blessings, we strolled to the backside of the temple only to be stunned by another scientific miracle.

It's a dark room in which light falls on a slit window creating an image on inverted Gopuram!

To the right, is a small pond and another tower.



With Virupaksha done, we headed towards Hemakunta hill.

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