Virupaksha Temple, one of the oldest architectural marvels in India, is located in the town of Hampi, by the banks of Tungabhadra river. This temple is a part of Group of Monuments in Hampi. The history, heritage and the heart-stopping architecture of Virupaksha Temple Hampi, makes it one of the top travel destinations across India and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location: Hampi, Karnataka, India
Built in: 7th Century, Vijayanagara Empire
The temple is constructed at the center of the city during Vijayanagara Empire. It has three main towers or gopuram. The East tower is 160 feet high and tallest amongst all others.
Virupaksha temple is designed such a way, that it can be seen from any part of the town Hampi. By the side of the road to the Eastern Tower of temple, there used to be an entire shopping complex. (Can you spot the shops in the image below?) Today also, if you go early in the morning, there would be local vendors selling flowers and coconuts for offerings to the deity. Also, you will find local women selling homemade breakfast(Dosa, Idli and Chutney), which is absolutely delicious!
Inside the Temple:
There would be surprises once you step into the temple! We found Temple’s elephant Lakshmi blessing the visitors, when they offer her coconut or some currency! Yes, she gently takes the money (I saw most of the people offering her a Rs. 10 bill, and she returns blessing with her trunk happily) from the visitors and gives to her master, who stands next to her.
The temple is always busy and a little crowded with the pilgrims. Still, it is very peaceful. I even found a lot of people taking a afternoon naps inside the temple. Hampi can be very hot in summer days, but it is always cool, once you find a shade inside the temple.
The temple has a Pushkarani(pond) inside, used for temple works , which is very beautiful.
The Mural Paintings:
All the paintings have a great deal of details. Time has taken a toll for sure, still there are a plenty left for us to enjoy, even after 1300 years.
Also, we lost a few brilliant artworks with time, still there are many left for us to be excited about:
Lets take a look again at the signature East Gopuram. But, this time, it’s a view from inside the temple:
The temple complex is huge and extended and a photographer’s paradise. People do not only come to pray, they also come to hangout, have a chat, or even to watch the sunset from a high temple rock. Here is yet another view of the temple, which I could not resist to share with you all:
Hampi has seen kingdoms and dynasties. The city is built on top of ruins, multiple times. The locals rent a part of their house with the tourists and offers food on request. The entire town of Hampi is pure vegetarian and very tourist friendly. Bicycles can be rented per-day or weekly basis in Hampi and can be a eco-friendly and very economic option to visit the entire town. I highly recommend a trip to Hampi, as there is something for every traveller here.