Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

 Hampi, now in ruins is the site of the ancient city of Vijayanagar, capital of the Vijayanagar empire (founded under the spiritual guidance of Vidyaranya of Sringeri  in early 14th century CE)) which brought about a renaissance of indigenous art and culture, as it defended the region against the  plundering armies from elsewhere.
 Much of Vijayanagar is now in ruins, as when the rulers were defeated at the hands of the invaders at the battle of Talikota in the 16th century, most of the marvelous structures and edifices were systematically destroyed.
 The Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi. It is fully intact, and it incorporates some earlier structures.The temple's history is uninterrupted from about the 7th century. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well before the Vijayanagara capital was located here. Inscriptions referring to Shiva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. This temple in its current form has three towers, the eastern tower rises to a formidable height of 160 feet and is nine tiered. It was was renovated in the sixteenth century by Krishnadevaraya. 

The Eastern Gopuram & entrance gopuram viewed from inside the temple

Lion at the temple entrance way

Temple entrance

A massive monolith

Exquisitely carved stone pillar

The temple bells

Latticed granite roofing

A Stone Stool

Our Group viewing the temple in inspired awe

Intricately carved massive stone urn

The temple elephant showering blessings on devotees

Carved pillars at the temple mandapam

Monumental multi tiered eastern Gopuram - beautifully embellished

Various views of the Eastern Gopuram - Above & Below

  Please also visit below posts:

Hampi Tour - Art & Architecture

Hampi Tour - Day 1

Rhesus Monkeys at Virupaksha Temple-Hampi

Fortune Tellers at Hampi