Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

By Air: The closest international airport from Hampi is Bellary, 350 kms away. Tourists can take a cab from Bellary to Hampi

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Hospet at about 13 km away. Hospet is amply connected to the major cities like Bellary and Bangalore. Tourists usually hire a cab from Hospet to reach Hampi. The distance from Bangalore to Hampi is a distance of 288km.

By Road: Tourists can go to Hampi by bus from places like Bellary, Hospet, and Bangalore. Volvo and AC buses are available for the passengers. Travelers can avail cabs as well.

Location: South banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi, Karnataka 583239

Timings: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open to visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm.

Price: There are no entry fees. However, you can hire a guide to give you complete information about the temple at its footsteps for a nominal charge of 50 INR.

This temple was constructed in Lakkana Dandesha’s assistance who was a commander under King Deva Raya II.

The Virupaksha temple’s chronicle is unremitting from around the seventh century. Virupaksha-Pampa retreat has existed since a long time here. There are several inscriptions about Lord Shiva which were engraved in the 9th century.

It started off as a little shrine and later developed into a huge complex during the Vijayanagara rule. There is evidence that indicates additions were made to Virupaksha temple during the later years of the Hoysala and Chalukyan sovereignty.

Native art, craft, and culture flourished during the fourteenth century during the reign of the dynasty. But these beautiful architectures and creations were destroyed when the Vijayanagara rulers were crushed by Muslim intruders.

The devotional group of Pampa and Virupaksha did not come to an end with the devastation of Hampi in 1565. The temple is worshiped even today and has persisted all over the years. There were extensive renovations done in the early 19th century that include the addition of towers and ceiling paintings.

The architecture of the temple is very beautiful and magnificent. There is a monastery, three antechambers and filled the surrounding of the temple with small shrines. The entrance has surroundings with well-carved art sculptures. Among all the gateways, the eastern gateway is the greatest. It is nine-tiered and 50 meters in length. It is well built and has some previous structures. The framework is of brick and includes a gravel base giving way to the court outside. This court contains various sub-sanctums. The inner eastern gopuram is graced with three storeys while the northern gopuram has five storeys. The gopuram basement layed with granite stones and the framework was done with bricks. Here the surprising thing is all the gopurams have five stories and only eastern gopuram has only three stories. Mostly mahamantri Timmarusu keenly take care of the temple renovation works. Whatever it may be, the Vijayanagara empire was the place for the glory of Indian rich culture and tradition and lived forever.