Lord Shiva is one of the most revered deities across the world. There are several temples, where Lord Shiva is worshipped, both in abstract form (as shivling) and in the idol form. In the Southern part of India, there are many huge temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. One such temple is the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

 Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Location of the Virupaksha Temple

One among the group of monuments at Hampi, the temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, who is actually a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the city of Hampi in the Bellary district of the state of Karnataka. The city of Hampi is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River (also known as the Pampa River)

Virupaksha Meaning

Virupaksha is a Kanada name which means ” The All Seeing One- Lord Shiva”.

The meaning of the word ‘Virupaksha’ (Virup + aksha) is ‘Diversely Eyed’ or ‘very differently eyed’ – the one with ‘phala aksha – the jnana chakshu, the supreme conciousness’ along with the regular two eyes.

Here the  word ‘Virup’ doesn’t mean ‘Form less ‘ but it means ‘Diversely or very different or manifold – it is a ‘Visesha Upamana’ or ‘special parable’.

• rupa – having a form
• arupa – not having a form or formless
• sarupa – having a good form
• virupa – having a Visesha Rupa, Diverse form or very different form

(taken from quora – courtesy https://www.quora.com/How-did-Lord-Shiva-get-his-name-Virupaksha-What-does-the-name-mean)

Virupaksha Temple History

The history of this temple goes back as old as the 7th century. Hampi was the capital city under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. But, the Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed even before this. There are inscriptions, referring to Lord Shiva, which dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries.

At that time, it was a small shrine, but under the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire, it got developed into a large complex. The credit of building the main building goes to Lakkan Dandesha, who was a chieftain under the rule of Prauda Deva Raya, a ruler from the Vijayanagara dynasty.

One of the most famous kings of this dynasty, Krishnadevaraya was a major patron of this temple. He is the one who is believed to have ordered the construction of the central pillared hall and the eastern gopura. As per inscriptions, the pillared hall was constructed to celebrate his accession. In the later years, some additions were made to the temple during the Chalukya and Hoysala periods.

Around the 16th century, Muslim invaders attacked Hampi and destroyed most of the wonderful decorative structures and creations here. However, the religious sect of Virupaksha-Pampa remained intact and their worship has persisted throughout these years.
The beginning of the 19th century saw some major renovations and additions in the Temple. These included ceiling paintings and the towers of the north and east gopuram.

Virupaksha Temple Facts

Image Source: Media.gettyimages

Virupaksha Temple is among the oldest temple in India and the focal point of pilgrimage at Hampi. This temple is believed to be functioning without any interruption since it was built in the 7th Century. The temple is considered to be the most sacred sanctuary over the centuries. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, also known as Pampapati (meaning husband of Pampa), who is actually a form of Lord Shiva. His consort is believed to be a local goddess called Pampadevi, who is associated with the Tungabhadra River.

Inside The Temple

The Virupaksha temple consists of the ‘garbha-gruha’ (the main sanctum), three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared hall. The pillars have delicate carvings all over. There are several courtyards, a pillared monastery, some small shrines; and entranceways surrounding the temple.

There are several gopurams (gateways) surrounding the temple. The eastern gopuram is the greatest among all. It has 9-tiers and a height of 50 meters. This well-proportioned structure made of bricks and a gravel stone dominates Hampi’s skylines. It provides access to the outer court, which contains many sub-shrines.

Once you get inside, you can see the inner eastern gopurams, which is 3-tiered. Then there is ‘Kankagiri gopura’, which is located in the north. This gopuram leads you to a small enclosure, where there are some more sub-shrines. Going further, it leads to the river Tungabhadra. There is a small channel of this river, which flows along the terrace into the temple kitchen and moves out through the outer court.

One of the highlights of the temple is the use of geometry and other mathematical concepts in building and decorating this temple. The repeated patterns demonstrate the concept of Fractals, while on triangular temple top, one can see the patterns divide and repeat themselves, just like in a snowflake or some other natural wonders.

There are several mandapams surrounding the main temple but are in dilapidated condition. In ancient times, there was a shopping centre. That too stands in a ruined condition now.

Architectural Splendor

The Virupaksha Temple is a marvel of Dravidian architecture, characterized by its towering gopurams, intricate carvings, and spacious courtyards. The temple complex is vast, covering an area of several acres, and comprises multiple mandapas (halls), shrines, and a large temple tank.

The Eastern Gopuram

The most striking feature of the temple is the eastern gopuram, which stands at a height of 50 meters (164 feet). This towering structure is adorned with elaborate sculptures and carvings depicting various deities, mythological scenes, and floral patterns. The gopuram serves as the main entrance to the temple and is a fine example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

The Inner Sanctum

The inner sanctum of the temple houses the main deity, Lord Virupaksha (a form of Shiva), along with his consort Pampa and the sage Vidyaranya. The sanctum is a small, dimly lit chamber that exudes a sense of divinity and serenity. The idol of Lord Virupaksha is believed to be self-manifested (swayambhu) and has been worshipped for centuries.

The Ranga Mandapa

Adjacent to the inner sanctum is the Ranga Mandapa, a pillared hall that was constructed during the reign of Krishnadevaraya. The hall is supported by intricately carved pillars, each depicting various gods, goddesses, and celestial beings. The Ranga Mandapa is used for conducting various rituals and ceremonies and is an architectural masterpiece in itself.

The Temple Tank

The temple tank, known as Manmatha Tank, is another significant feature of the Virupaksha Temple complex. This large rectangular tank is used for ritualistic purposes and is surrounded by stone steps. The tank adds to the overall aesthetic and spiritual ambiance of the temple.

Festivals and Rituals

The Virupaksha Temple is a vibrant center of religious activities and hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. One of the most important festivals celebrated here is the annual Chariot Festival (Rathotsava), which usually takes place in the month of February or March. During this festival, the idols of Lord Virupaksha and other deities are placed in beautifully decorated chariots and taken in a grand procession around the temple complex. The festival attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the country.

Another significant festival is the Pampa Devi Festival, dedicated to the consort of Lord Virupaksha. This festival, held in the month of December, involves elaborate rituals, cultural performances, and a grand procession. The temple also celebrates Maha Shivaratri with great fervor, with special pujas (rituals) and a night-long vigil.

Daily rituals and ceremonies are an integral part of the temple’s functioning. The day begins with the early morning Suprabhata Seva, followed by various other rituals such as Abhishekam (anointment), Alankaram (decoration), and Deepa Aradhana (waving of lamps). The temple priests perform these rituals with utmost devotion, maintaining the sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of the temple.

How to Explore Virupaksha Temple?

Moving east towards the second tower you would see the shoe safekeeping stall, souvenir stall, and ticket counter, where you can buy the entry ticket (Rs. 5), camera ticket (Rs. 50) and pay the video camera fee (Rs. 500)
Inside the court, you would come across a naughty elephant. If you hold a one rupee coin in your hand, the elephant will pick that coin using his trunk, and give a smooch on your head, which is treated as a blessing.

The most striking feature of this court is the ‘Ranga Mandapa’, the central pillared hall built in 1510 AD by Krishadeva Raya. Two mythical lion-like creatures are installed at the entrance of this elevated open pavilion.

Further west, beyond a small inner hall, is the ‘garbha-gruha’, which houses the ‘main lingum’ depicting Lord Virupaksha. At the entrance to this sanctum, there are statues of 8 feet tall guardian deities. There is a corridor surrounding the sanctum, which is used for ‘pradakshina’

Towards the north of this sanctum, are two of the main sub-shrines, which house the idols of Goddess Pampa and Bhuvaneswari, believed to be consorts of Lord Shiva. Behind the temple, there are steps, which lead to the rear exit of the temple.

Festivals Celebrated at Virupaksha

The biggest festival at Virupaksha temple is the celebration of betrothal and marriage festivities of Virupaksha and Pampa. This is the largest religious festival here and attracts a huge crowd every year. The idols of the divine couple (Hindu God Shiva and Parvathi), are kept in the huge temple chariot which is made of wood and is taken along the main streets of Hampi. This ‘rath-yatra’ is conducted in December every year.

Other major festivals celebrated here are Diwali and Shivaratri, the latter being the festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Shiva.

Important Points About the Temple

1. There is a police post inside the temple. Foreign tourists are requested to register their details here. This simple process of entering the name and other details can be done at any time and need not be done before entering the temple.
2. Though the camera is allowed inside the temple. But photography is not permitted inside the sanctum area.
3. The doors of the sanctum are closed at noon. So entry into the campus may not be possible at that point in time.

Best Time to Visit the Virupaksha Temple

The temple opens its doors for the public just before Sunrise and the doors are closed after the sunset. In between also, doors are closed for few hours around noon.
The morning and evening times are the best times to witness the daily temple rituals and ceremonies in the mornings and evenings.

In terms of months, October to February is the best time, as the overall weather is pleasant and evenings become mildly cold, which adds to the excitement. If you have an eye for natural beauty, you can click some great backdrops to the crumbling structures, and, take home a lot of memories with you

How to Reach Virupaksha Temple?

By Air

The closest international airport from Hampi is Hubli, at a distance of about 165 km from the temple. Tourists can easily hire a cab from Bellary to Hampi. Belgaum Airport is another option, which is about 270 km away.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Hospet, which is about 13 km away. Hospet is reasonably well- connected to the major cities of Karnataka. You can hire a cab or auto from the station to reach the temple.

By Road

Karnataka has a good road network. There are Volvo and other AC buses managed by KSRTC and other private operators. Cab service is also available. The nearest cities are Hospet (10 km), Kampli (18 km), Bellary (53 km), Hubli (140 km), Belgaum (260 km), and Bengaluru (288 km) among others.

Location

Click here for location: Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, District Ballari Karnataka

FAQs about Virupaksha Temple at Hampi