Hampi Virupaksha Temple

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You see Hampi bazaar road behind which is east facing gopuram of Virupaksha temple. It is a 52m high. Proluganti Tippa, a commander of Devaraya II (1422-46) built the gopuram. The temple complex assumed its present shape around 1520. Today the temple overlooks by Hampi bazaar lined with the remains of mantapas. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In this collection we first present the temple as clicked from various parts of Hampi and then go inside the temple. End with famous sunset picture at Hemakuta hill. Took this pic sunrise time from Matanga hill ie the highest point in Hampi. U see a foreigner sitting on a boulder with the Virupaksha temple in the background.

When u walk up from the market to Matanga hill top enroute u this watch point. U see Virupaksha temple through it.

Extreme right u can see gopuram of Virupaksha temple. The road in the centre is Hampi market. The red chairs that u see were for Hampi Festival program. The boulders that u see on the left of the pic are Hemakuta hill. The bazaar is about 10.6 m wide and 732 m lng with double storeyed structured flanking its dies that u see.

Virupaksha Temple is where the Hemakuta Hill ends. Pic taken from Hemakua hill. Right of pic is big gopuram, left is small gopuram and in front are temples that for some reason are known as Jain Temples when they are not.

This is a very popular picture. The main gopuram between large bolders on both sides. Took this pic from Hemakuta hill. U can walk down the hill to the temple/main market.

A close up view of the main gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple. Some of the images are mithuna couples. Virupaksha temple is also known as Pampapati temple or the temple of Lord of Pampa.

Took this pic from across the Tungabhadra river. One on side of the temple is Hemakunta hill, on the other is the Tungabhadra river. In the centre of pic the small structures that you see are temples on Hemakuta hill.

If Virupaksha temple is at one end of the market this Monolothic Bull at the other end. It is locally known as Yeduru Basavanna or Nandi. As you can see the statute is housed in a twin storied pavilion ie buiilt on an elevated platform. A heap of gigantic boulders behind the pavillion offer an interesting backdrop.

A close up of the Nandi. Though partially mutilated and carved in a coarse style, the Nandi attracts visitors due to its giant size.

See board outside temple. The temple enshrines the tutelary deity of the Vijayanagara rulers. It is the most sacred monument of Hampi.

A close up view of the main gopuram. This pastel painted 9 storied tower has a pair of cow horn like projections on the top. The lower two tiers of tower is made of decorated stone work that u see. The rest is made with brick and mortar. All around exterior u see stucco figures.

Having got inside the temple took this pic of Gopuram sun set time. Inside the complex is a shrine dedicated to founder sage Vidyaranya. Missed taking picture.

U see the 1st courtyard of the temple. This courtyard has a pillared hall called 100 column hall to the left - missed clicking this hall. It also houses kitchen complex, offices and ticket counter, a old well. A water channel system connected to the nearby river is built into the floor of the kitchen complex.

Taken from the second courtyard u see the gopurams at sun set time. In this courtyard is a central pillared hall known as Ranga Mandapa. It was added to the temple complex in 1510 AD by Krishnadeva Raya. The ceiling has paintings that include depictions of sage Vidyaranya walking in a procession. The hall has 5 aisles and 38 pillars. It has tows of pillars with Yalis etc. Further is a small hall ie the sanctum of Lord Virupaksha. The sanctum contains an icon of Lord Virupaksha in the form of a Linga.

Taken from Hemakuta hill u can see the north river facing gopuram and temples on the hill. U see gopuram on pic right. Second courtyard starts from there and extends beyond the north facing gopuram ie. called Kangiri Gopura. Missed taking a pic of Ranga Mandapa n 2nd courtyard. If u have please send.

Close to the north gopura and near to the main sanctum is the temple''s sacred pond the Manmantha Tank and a series of shrines. The tank is what u see - pic taken at sunset time.

These are a series of temples on Hemakuta hill. There is no worship being done. Purpose of showing this pic is for u to see how temple were made on sloping hill. It is still intact hundreds of years later.

This is another side of Hemakuta hill as entered from the Sasivekalu Ganesha side. Right of pic u see a 2 storied structure. It is also known as Sunset point.

Sunset from Hemakuta hill. A must see. The pillar that u see on left of pic is called Flag Post.

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