12 Must Visit Hampi Temple Details
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Hampi, the capital of the great Vijayanagara Empire, takes its name from the Pampa River. Also known as Kishkinda Kshetra, this place is said to be the same place where Rama first encountered Hanuman. It is located on the Tongabadra River in Karnataka. Hampi was the richest place in the 16th century, attracting many merchants from Persia and Portugal. During the reign of Sri Krishnadevarata, Hampi became one of the most beautiful cities. Especially in terms of art and architecture, the temples of Hampi showcase the amazing skill of Vijayanagara architects. However, repeated invasions by the Portuguese and Persians led to the complete destruction of the once glorious kingdom. These temples were not known until the 19th century and are now being restored by the archaeological department. Read on to discover a list of the best temples in Hampi.
Important temples and images in Hampi:
1. Vijaya Vittala Temple:
The Vijaya Vittala Temple is a classic example of splendid architecture and design in Hampi. This is a temple complex, pavilions within pavilions, so it is said to be more of a town in itself. The history of this temple dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a famous stone cart in the temple, which is said to be actually the shrine of Garuda, the eagle god, who was the vehicle of Vishnu.
2. Virupaksha Temple:
The Virupaksha Temple is said to be the crowning glory of the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the most prominent empires in India. The temple was probably built in the 9th and 10th centuries. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva who is also the main deity of the temple. Apart from Lord Virupaksha, the temple also houses statues of Goddess Pampa, Goddess of the River Tungabhadra. Temple fairs are held in February and December.
3. Achyutaraya Temple:
Achyutaraya Temple is located between Gandhamadana and Matanga hills and was built in 1534 AD by Achyuta Deva Raya of Vijayanagar Dynast. Built in the classic Vijayanagar architectural style and design, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. Although much of the temple is in ruins, it is still known for its grand splendor. The temple also houses a shrine dedicated to Garuda, the eagle god.
4. Bada Veringa Temple:
An overall marvel in Hampi, the Badawi Linga Temple contains a 3-meter high Shiva Lingam, which is bent from a single rock. The temple has a stone sanctuary with an open roof, while the bottom of the lingam remains submerged in water. According to the locals, the temple is said to have been built during the reign of Vijayanagar rulers. The rooms of the temple are always filled with enchanting water.
5. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple:
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple houses a stone statue of Lord Narasimha, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This temple was built during the reign of King Krishnavaraya in 1528 AD. The temple originally had an idol of the goddess Lakshmi sitting on Lord Narasimha’s lap, but after a raid in 1565, the idol of Lakshmi was vandalized and removed. So since then the idol of Lord Narasimha is called Ugra Narasimha which is the most terrifying form in the absence of Goddess Lakshmi.
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6. Hazarama Temple:
Located near the ancient Vijayanagara Empire, Hazarama Temple is said to be regarded as a private temple by the kings and royal families of the empire. The epic legends of the Ramayana are inscribed on the temple walls in the form of characters, stories, events, acts and scenes.
7. Balakrishna Temple:
Balakrishna Temple was built in AD 1513 to celebrate and commemorate King Krishnavaraya’s victory over Udayagiri. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna in the infant form, Balakrishna or Gopalji. The idol of this temple has now been transferred to the Chennai National Museum. The walls, pillars and domes of the temple are beautifully carved with depictions from Lord Krishna’s secular story, the Bhagavad-gita.
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8. Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple:
Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is another overall wonder of Hampi. The temple is dedicated to Kadalekalu Ganesha and has a monolithic idol of Lord Ganesha with a height of 4.5 meters. The pillars of the temple are engraved with mythological characters and stories. To the south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha temple, there is a small shrine dedicated to Sasivekalu Ganesha, which is also carved out of a single stone.
9. Underground Shiva Temple:
Built a few meters below ground, the Shiva Temple in Hampi is probably one of the oldest temples in the city. The temple is flooded most of the year, especially during the rainy season when the rooms become completely inaccessible. The inner nave of the temple once housed a statue of Shiva, but now only the pedestal remains.
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10. Hanuman Temple Hampi:
The temple is located on a hill called Anjaneya Hill, which is said to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. It takes about 570 steps to reach the top of the temple, where one will find a huge idol of Lord Hanuman. There are also some pumice stones for visitors to see, which were brought from the famous Ramasetu. The temple offers a scenic panorama for those who visit the temple.
11. Ganigitti Jain Temple:
The Ganigitti Jain Temple was built in AD 1386 and is dedicated to the Kunthunatha of the 17th Tirthankara. This beautiful temple was built by Iruga, the commander-in-chief during the reign of Zhang Yuan II. The lamppost in front of the main hall bears inscriptions on the history of the temple. The temple was built in the true Vijayanagara style, but the influence of the Chalukyan Empire is also found.
12. Malyavanta Raghunatha Swamy Temple:
Although this temple is not as popular as other temples in Hampi, it is a beautiful place to visit. Located 3 km from Hampi’s main market street, this temple is dedicated to Lord Rama in the form of Malyavanta Raghunatha Swamy. The temple is said to be the same place where Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana lived during their expedition to find the Sita.
Hampi has attracted many domestic and foreign tourists since it was discovered from its ruins. Every inch of this place represents the glory it has ever witnessed. There is definitely a mystery to this place that makes every tourist want to visit Hampi again and again. The ruins seem to tell the story of their glorious past. These majestic ruins are an incredible sight, one must visit these temples to appreciate their beauty as there are no words to describe them.