Saturday, September 15, 2012

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

25 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures, I have to go there! I have seen so many pictures of it from many bloggers, sigh and yet not been there.

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  2. My friend,
    I think I have seen that Temple in a couple of old Indian movies accompanied by Rafi's songs. Great and Impressive again. The art is so amazing!! I always enjoy coming here and leaning something new. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Namaste....
    Wow, you never fail to deliver with these photos of your travels. Wherever do you find the time, are you retired?

    The structures are beautiful but scream endless hours of back breaking work. I look at its enormity and think my goodness the hours of labor for those men! Sounds crazy right? LOL but it’s what I was thinking along with wow.

    Have a blessed week.
    Rhapsody

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  4. You have captured the essence of those times; the songs from the carved stones that cannot be muted. Transporting to an era that was once a flourishing in Arts and Commerce.. Thanks RR.

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  5. Very much useful and informative post with good pictures! And it is really a wonderful place!!

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  6. Since so many years I'm planning to visit this place. You are really lucky.
    Thanks for sharing the information

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  7. Wonderful post equipped with some beautiful photos.

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  8. I have been there twice, and still I crave to visit again. Great captures.

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  9. Beautiful temple photos

    and nice info

    Thanks for sharing

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  10. Monliths are always a marvel to me! Wonderful gopuras and statues. Thanks for sharing them! Cheers!

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  11. What a wonderful place. The art and architecture are fascinating. Thank you for sharing!!

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  12. Enjoying the rich heritage via your pics. Thank you for a wonderful journey.

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  13. Lovely pics and write up Rama:) You provide a unique window into the treasures of history

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  14. I have visited this temple long back. Thanks for bringing back happy memories. We visited with a group.

    In one picture, people are photographing the monkeys!

    Nice pictures of the gopuram in different angles!

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  15. Brilliant captures of Virupaksha temple. Would love to visit the place again.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/

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  16. Lovely shots and beautiful place. Have heard about it from many. I would definitely visit there some day, if I ever get a chance to visit South India :)

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  17. These buildings are impressive now,but they must have been even more so when first built.
    Lovely photos!

    Ruby

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  18. I have been to Hampi long back. The visit was on the way and i found it okay place, but your pictures and narration is really good that i feel i have missed lots in my visit.

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  19. Oh my god!!! this is incredible Ram -- the temple is out of this world, literally, it's mind blowing!!!

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  20. FABULOUS PICTURES - you must make a coffee book of these gorgeous temple pictures. you job seems most enviable to me!! perhaps I've said that before but seriously how do you get to travel so much?????/

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