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Sri Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Hampi, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka

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Sri Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0

About

The Sri Virupaksha temple of Hampi stands on the south bank of the Tungabhadra river at the foot of Hemakuta hill. Here Lord Shiv is worshipped as Virupaksha, also called Pampapati, with shrines of Mata Pampa and Bhuvaneshwari beside him. Worship here has gone on without a break since about the 7th century, and of Hampi's hundreds of old monuments it is the only temple still in daily worship. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Group of Monuments at Hampi'. The nine-tiered eastern gopuram is about 50 metres high, and the ceiling of the Ranga Mandapa is painted with scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

The story

Hampi's old name is Pampa Kshetra. Pampa is a name of Mata Parvati, and the Tungabhadra river flowing nearby came to be called Pampa after her. The story says Parvati, who had been Sati in her earlier birth, set her heart on marrying the ascetic Shiv ji. Her parents tried to talk her out of it, but she held firm and began hard tapasya just like Shiv ji's. Shiv ji came in disguise and tried to shake her resolve, but she would not give up. At last Shiv ji accepted her and they were married. By the local Sthala Purana, Pampa, that is Parvati, did this tapasya right here on Hemakuta hill, which is why Shiv ji is called Pampapati, the husband of Pampa. The country around Hampi is also seen as the Kishkindha of the Ramayana, where Shri Ram and Lakshman met Hanuman ji and Sugriva. In history, the small shrine grew into a great complex in the time of the Vijayanagara empire. Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain of King Deva Raya II, enlarged it greatly, and Emperor Krishnadevaraya built its finest pillared hall in 1510 to mark his coronation. Even after the city of Vijayanagara was ruined in 1565, worship here never stopped.

Visiting

October to February is best; summers here are very hot. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, as Hampi is explored on foot. Hampi Bazaar is in front of the temple, and Hemakuta hill, the Kadalekalu and Sasivekalu Ganesh statues, the stone chariot of the Vijaya Vittala temple and Matanga hill are nearby. Hosapete is about 12 km away.

Festivals

  • The betrothal and wedding festival of Virupaksha and Pampa (December)
  • Annual chariot festival (February)

Famous temples

Sources