Hampi is a very unique and rustic city that allows you to turn back and go into a realm that passed us centuries ago. Once a city demolished by the invaders, you can still find the leftovers of the monuments lying amiss, Hampi has now become a prevalent tourist place. This is not only because of the pastoral charm of the city or the amount of history it grasps but also because of the temples in the lap of Hampi. Hampi has a very prevalent temple trace in South India and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each of these temples is delightful and splendid in its own way. Among these temples, there is one temple that genuinely endured the test of time and has become a sign in the geography of Hampi which is The Virupaksha Temple.
Virupaksha temple is one of the most breathtaking temples in India and was built in the 7th century, which is located next to the tranquil Tungabhadra River. Every new ruler in the region has added his touch to the temple, making it unique. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This temple was firstly a small shrine which then developed under the clutch of the other rulers, especially under the Vijayanagara rulers. In the era of Vijayanagara ruling the art and culture blossomed which is reflected in the Virupaksha temple. The art and culture are embedded in each corner of the Virupaksha temple. Some final touches and renovations were made in the 19th century which made this temple even more cherishing and what it is today.
Significance of Virupaksha Temple:
Virupaksha temple is dedicated to the Lord Virupaksha. Vijayanagara Kings adore lord Virupaksha as their family god. This temple was constructed under the sovereignty of Vijayanagara ruler Krishna Deva Raya II. This temple has immense religious importance, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva. The temple campus echoes the chanting of ancient hymns, the sounds of bells, and the fragrance of incense and flowers which creates a spiritual atmosphere.
Outside the religious importance, this temple stands as a witness of India’s rich cultural heritage and architecture. The beautiful complex carvings ornamented on its walls portray scenes from Hindu mythology. The temple complex also contains a storehouse of engravings and this temple offers glimpses into Hampi’s splendid past. For visitors, a voyage through the Virupaksha temple is a spiritual crusade journey through time, tradition, and Indian culture.
Origin and History of Virupaksha Temple:
One of the interesting stories on the origin of the Virupaksha Temple is that the birthplace of the Virupaksha Temple is a place where the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi get married.
The Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Lord Virupaksha and is the partner of Goddess Parvathi who is honoured as Pampa in the region. Also, the old name of Hampi is ‘Pampakshetra’ and refers to the Tungabhadra River which is called Pampa.
A small and simple shrine was built during the Chalukyan and Hoysala periods for the Virupaksha. This small temple was further expanded and artistic stone works were added in the time of the Vijayanagara empire. This small shrine grew bigger with various gopuras and pillared halls under the reign of King Deva Raya II.
While consequent attacks of Vijayanagara by empires from the north demolished most of the Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi many parts of the majestic Virupaksha Temple were luckily undamaged. The damage of Hampi in 1565 didn’t put an end to the devotional group of Pampa and Virupaksha. To date, the temple is worshipped. There were wide renewals done in the early 19th century that included the addition of paintings, pillars, and towers.
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple:
The Virupaksha Temple is perhaps the oldest and the impressive structure of Hampi which is a standing witness of Indian temple architecture. The Virupaksha Temple is constructed in the South Indian architectural style. It consists of three gopurams, one is the eastern gopuram which is the largest and has nine storeys and is 50 meters tall with beautiful sculptures of Hindu Gods on it and the other two are smaller gopurams which are settled in the inner east and inner northern sides of the temple complex which are seen from the outer courtyards through which you will reach the inner courtyards. The 100-pillared hall pointers to the sanctum of this of the triple-headed Nandi which is Lord Shiva’s vehicle. Also, the temple is filled with the shrines of Goddes Pampa, Nava Grahas, Bhuvaneshwari, and another form of Shiva.
Apart from these the concepts of mathematics like fractals, geometry, complex mathematics, and Fibonacci number sequence and the concepts of physics like Rectillinear Light Theory and pinhole camera effect were used in the construction of Virupaksha Temple.
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Celebrations and Festivals at Virupaksha Temple:
The Chariot Festival is organized during March or April. In this, an idol of Lord Virupaksha is placed on a beautiful wooden chariot which is adorned with lights and flowers. The chants and songs of the huge march carrying the chariot with idols mark the celebration of Lord Virupaksha’s marriage to Devi Pampa.
In December, the temple again celebrates the marriage of Virupaksha and Pampa with a bright ceremony which is called as “Phalapuja Festival” which attracts visitors from all over the world.
The yearly celebrations of Shivarathri, a whole-night prayer in praise of Lord Shiva, are also celebrated at Virupaksha Temple in February or March.
How to Reach Virupaksha Temple:
Hampi is about 341 kilometres from Bengaluru which is the capital city of Karnataka. One can reach Hampi by rail, road, and air.
Reaching by Rail:
The nearest railway station to Hampi is the Hosapete Junction which is at a distance of about 13 kilometres. Here you will find the trains travel to and from places like Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Mysore, etc.
Reaching by Road:
Hampi will be easily accessible by road from any place in Karnataka. Government and Private buses are available for Hampi from Bengaluru and other places. You can also visit Hampi on a road trip.
Reaching by Air:
The closest airport to Hampi is the Jindal Vijayanagara Airport at Torangallu which is about 38 kilometres. One can go on to Hampi by booking a cab from the airport.
Best Time to Visit, Charges and Timings:
Best Time to Visit: From October to March is the best time to visit the Virupaksha temple. The weather at this time remains moderately cool except in the mid-noons but mostly perfect to visit this temple.
Charges: There is no entry charge. However, you can hire a guide who gives you all whole information about the temple in its footsteps for a minimal charge between 50-100 INR. To bring your camera into the temple you must pay INR 50 as a charge.
Timings: The doors of Virupaksha temple are open to visitors from morning 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, later after 4 hours, again the temple is open from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Tourist Places near Virupaksha Temple:
Some of the popular places to visit near Virupaksha Temple are Hampi Bazar, Matanga Hill, Achyutaraya Temple, Lotus Mahal, Hampi Coracle Ride, Elephant Stables, Thungabhardra Dam and Garden, Vitthala Temple. These are some of the beautiful places situated near the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi.
Conclusion:
Virupaksha Temple stands as an inspiration of India’s heritage and culture and this temple is a masterwork of architecture and a shelter of spirituality. It is a timeless attraction that continues to fascinate and motivate generations, inviting visitors to cherish a journey of illumination in the heart of ancient India.
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