On the banks of Tungabhadra, Virupaksha Temple in Hampi built in the 7th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Virupaksha.

It is one of the oldest and beautiful shrines of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. The 7th-century inscriptions on the temple wall are evidence of the opulent architecture.

A must-visit place for artists, architects, historians, and anyone craving for inspiration from the sacred edifices of India. The ornate stonework inside has inner halls and corridors.

The towering gopurams act as a gateway to the sanctums inside. It is one of the Pattadakal monuments (collection of 7th and 8th century Jain and Hindu temples) in Karnataka. There is the righteous blend of Northern and Southern India.

Under Lakkana Dandesha, the commander of King Deva Raya II. The ever flourishing Virupaksha attracts people during the Chariot Festival in February month. It is one among the prettiest temples of India that have survived the heat of history.

Vijayanagara famous king, Krishnadevaraya was an active contributor of the temple. The most decorated main pillared hall is one among his additions. The ruined mandapams surround the Virupaksha Temple as timeless guardians.

Specialty:

The Eastern Gopuram is the largest while the inner East and inner North ones are relatively smaller. The Easter Gopuram is 50 meters tall and has nine storeys.

The noteworthy stonework and ornate pillars of the Bhuvaneshwari Shrine belong to the architecture of the Chalukyan period.

The 100 pillared hall takes one to the Tri-headed Nandi (vehicle of Lord Shiva).

There are shrines of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, Pampa, Pataleshwar, and Navagrahas.

The coronation of King Krishnadevaraya in 1509-10 saw the construction of Maharanga Mandapam.

Pampa Kshetra is the ancient name of Hampi which refers to the Tungabhadra River also known as Pampa.

There is a wide belief that Virupaksha is older than the Vijayanagara Empire.

Queen Lokamahadevi had built the initial edifice t0 celebrate the success of her soulmate Vikramaditya II over the Pallavas of Kanchi, (According to ASI)

Many engravings mention the temple as “Lokeswara Mahasil Prasada” denoting the magnanimity of the queen.

The artistic quality of the Pattadakal idols of Virupaksha was not lost to destructors.

Lord Virupaksha betrothal to Devi Pampa is an important procession with the lord in a beautiful wooden chariot decorated with flowers, and lamps.

Phalapuja Festival celebrates the marriage of Lord Virupaksha to Devi Pampa in the month of December.

The annual Shivarathri Festival falls on the February month which is the most important event to witness with night long prayers.

Nearest Tourist Attractions:

Riverside Ruins: Visit this place for the cluster of Shivlings, Lord Vishnu shrines. The squarish 1008 lingas and the row of 108 lingas on the gorge are spectacular. (900 meters away)

Monolithic Bull: The east end of the Virupaksha Bazaar with a huge bull is a major attraction. (850 meters away)

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple: Located on the Hemakuta Hill, the stone architecture of this temple has a 15 feet tall monolithic Ganesha statue. (650 meters away)

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple: Visit the biggest effigy in Hampi. Narasimha sitting on the seven-headed snake is an unmissable sight. Goddess Lakshmi’s idol is along with Narasimha here. (1.9 km away)

Activites:

Best Time to Visit:

Dry and moderate weather throughout the year. Afternoons are the hottest part of the day. Winter (15-33 degrees Celsius) hosts most of the festivals while the hottest months are from March to June. In the month of November, Vijaya Utsav (Festival of Hampi) celebration is at its peak. River Tungabhadra flows heavily during monsoon (25-33 degree Celsius). Activities like rock climbing shouldn’t be considered during this time.

Address:

Hampi, Karnataka 583239.

Way to Reach:

 By Air -  The nearest airport is in Bellary (60 km away) while the nearest International Airport is in Bangalore (Kempegowda International Airport) which is 350 km away.

 By Rail -  There is no railway station in Hampi. However, the nearest railway station is in Hospet which is 13 km away.

By Road: There is a good connection with all major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Bellary, and Pune. NH4 connects Bangalore with Hampi in less than 7 hours. From Hospet is takes under 50 minutes.