Virupaksha temple, Hampi, Ballari district , karnataka

Hampi- is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra . It was the capital city of Vijayanagara kings and was then a very prosperous, grand and wealthy city . It even attracted traders from Persia and Portugal. The city is full of rock cut sculptures  and monuments. The whole city  is  surrounded by boulders and rocks of different shapes and sizes and this would have encouraged the kings to shape this city into a beautifully carved structure. One can see and feel how the  the craftsmen would have toiled hard to construct and put together each piece of art to perfection to be only destroyed later by the Muslim rulers . There are lot of monuments here and one shouldn't miss this at any cost. All are protected  monuments coming under UNESCO World Heritage. One can easily spend a couple of days leisurely visiting the monuments.

Virupaksha is Lord Shiva and this  temple stands tall among the ruins of Hampi and is believed to be the largest functioning temple since 7th century. Lord Virupaksha's consort is Pampa Devi, a  local Goddess  and is associated with river Tungabadra. The huge temple complex was built  by a chieftain king called Lakhana Dandesha under Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire. The temple attracts huge crowds in December during the temple festival. The temple has a multi-tiered  Raja gopuram and this temple has about 3 Nandis in Nandi mandapam. The temple is embellished with carvings, paintings and beautiful sculptures.

Hampi is 350 Kms from Bangalore and there are good hotels in Hampi but we chose to stay in the nearest town Hosapete which is 15 Kms from Hampi.

Temple Pond

                                                              inside the temple

 

Kodandarama temple and Yantrodharaka Hanuman temple - Hampi, Karnataka

 Kodandarama temple is situated on a small hillock just about 2Kms from the Virupaksha temple.  One has to climb a small rocky path  which is on the banks of river Tungabhadra. The sparkling water of  the river meandering through the rocky hills, gliding coracles, and the long distance view of the Anjanadri hill* is enjoyable.  This hillock is the Kishkinda where King Sugriva  lived. Lord Rama had visited this place and here we find a small temple of Kothanda Rama , Seeta and  Lakshmana. We find Sugriva's idol  in a separate  niche near the pedestal where Rama's idol is worshipped. There is a priest to carry out the daily rituals. The river flowing in front of this holy place is known as chakrateertha.

*Anjanadri hill is  the birth place of Lord Anjaneya.

Yantrodharaka Hanuman - A few more steps  up the hill  from Kothanda Rama temple would lead one to Yantrodharaka Hanuman. As the name suggests here one would find Hanuman sitting inside a Sudarshana Chakra in meditation. This is carved out of a single rock and  Lord Hanuman here is considered to be very powerful. Many devotees visit here with the sole purpose of performing special poojas to the Lord in the belief that Lord would protect and grant all their wishes.

Check a few pictures 

                               

                                  View of Kodanda Rama temple

                                                         Kodanda Rama , Sita, Lakshmana 

                                                         Yantrodharaka Hanuman

                                                                       Tungabhadra 

Anjanadri hill in the background

                                                               Sugreeva inside the temple

                                                       View of river from temple

                                        Yantordhara Hanuman.