Famous Temples in India

SRI VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE

Hampi, Karnataka, India

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God

The main deity of this temple is Virupaksha, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Here Lord is Swayambhu.

Goddess

Goddess Pampa, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi and Bhuvaneswari are consorts of Lord Shiva.

Interesting Facts

  • The site for its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37°C during the day and 21°C during night)Lowest - October to February (27°C during day and 18°C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
  • Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smo​king is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Kamalapur New Bus Stand
6.2 KM 08049596666
Hosapete Junction (Hospet)
13.2 KM 139
Hubballi Airport
168 KM ‎91-836-2237921

Architecture

The name Virupaksha means “with oblique eyes” or “misformed eyes” referring to the third eye of Lord Shiva. It can also be inferred that “Virupa” meaning “Distorted” and “Aksha” meaning “Eyes” refer to the occurrence of three eyes for Lord Shiva and consider that itself as a distortion. This temple is facing in East direction. The eastern gateway is the greatest, It is nine-tiered and 50 (164 feet) meters in length, the lower two tiers of the tower is made of decorated stone work. The tower with a pair of cow horn like projections on top is the most prominent landmark in Hampi,made with brick and mortar. The inner Eastern gopuram is graced with three storeys and the Northern gopuram has five storeys. This temple rows of pillars shaped with rampant lion like mythical creatures (Yalis) standing on aquatic creatures (Makara or Crocodiles) and Warriors seem riding on these ferocious looking creatures. There is a stone slab beside the hall which has inscriptions that explain his offerings for the temple.

The main temple is east facing and has two large courtyards, one leading to the other. This courtyard mainly houses a pillared hall called 100-Column hall at the far left corner, Kalyanamantapa at the far right corner. The central pillared hall known as the Ranga Mandapa added to the temple complex in 1510 A.D. by Krishadeva Rayalu. Surrounding the Virupaksha temple are plenty of dilapidated mandapams. As the classic scene from Mahabharata depicting Arjuna's shooting the fish device in order to secure Draupadi's hand in marriage. There was an ancient shopping centre interlined with mandapams in front of this temple. A kitchen complex projects out of the compound overlapping the two courts at the south wall. A water channel system connected to the nearby river is built into the floor of the kitchen complex.

Religious Significance

Lord Shiva did penance on the Hemakuta hill before he married Parvati. This was also the place where Lord Shiva burnt Manmadha. The origins of the Temple can be traced back to the references in various Puranas of the Daksha Yagna episode in Hindu beliefs. To refute the insult meted out by Daksha to Lord Shiva, Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva’s wife self-immolates. Hearing this, Lord Shiva becomes extremely angry and performed the Tandava Dance with Sati’s corpse in his hands. He destroys everything in his path. Eventually, to calm himself, he reaches Hemakuta in Hampi and starts meditating. All the Gods decide that the only way Lord Shiva could be happy again was to marry him again to Goddess Parvati. Rama worshipped Goddess Pampavathi and Lord Virupaksha during Vanavasasm. Rama and Lakshmana stayed here for a while after making Sugreeva as the King. This is the place where Hanuman informed Rama after discovering Sita Devi in Lanka.

History

This temple was built in 7th century by Lakkana Dandesha’s assistance who was a commander under King Deva Raya-II. Temple Gopuram was renovated in 1510 A.D and the temple was renovated in 19th century. Krishnadevaraya, Hoysala and Chalukyan Rulers are contributed for this temple.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Pooja

Morning pooja
All Days
07:30 - 08:00

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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User Reviews

SRI VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE

Hampi, Karnataka, India

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