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About
Virupaksha Temple is a Shiva temple in Hampi, central Karnataka, inside the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Karnataka Tourism describes it as a 7th century temple. The main deity is Lord Virupaksha, also called Pampapathi, and the complex also holds shrines of Bhuvaneshwari and Vidyaranya. According to Incredible India, the temple began as a modest shrine and grew into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers.
Hampi was the last capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom. UNESCO records that its rulers built Dravidian temples and palaces that drew the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. The city was conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, pillaged for about six months and then abandoned.
Architecture of Virupaksha Temple
Three gopuras (gateway towers) surround the temple complex. The main one, on the east, is nine storeys and 50 metres tall, and Karnataka Tourism dates it to the fifteenth century. It forms the main entrance, and each floor carries hundreds of sculpted Hindu gods and goddesses.
A feature that the Karnataka Tourism and Incredible India pages both mention is the inverted shadow of the main tower, which falls on a wall inside the temple. Karnataka Tourism suggests asking a tour guide to point out the spot.
Incredible India associates the temple with Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire and notes that inscriptions on a stone plaque placed next to the pillared hall record his contribution. It also describes the temple as a mathematical achievement of architecture.
Timings to visit Virupaksha Temple Hampi
09:00 AM – 01:00 PM | 05:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling.
How to Reach Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Karnataka Tourism gives these details for Hampi:
- By Air: Vidyanagar airport is the closest, about 40 km from Hampi, with daily flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
- By Train: Hosapete is the nearest railway station, about 15 km from Hampi.
- By Road: Hampi is about 350 km from Bengaluru, and several buses run from Bengaluru to Hampi.
- Within Hampi: Taxis, rented bikes and bicycles are the options for getting between sites, and electric carts run at select attractions.
Where to Stay
Hampi and the nearby town of Hosapete have stays for a range of budgets. KSTDC runs Hotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari in Hampi and the budget Hotel Mayura Vijayanagara near the TB dam in Hosapete (source: Karnataka Tourism).
Address
Virupaksha Temple, River Rd, Hampi, Karnataka, 583239, India
Official site karnataka Tourism Department of Virupaksha Temple Hampi
Other Hampi Temples and Monuments
- Vijaya Vittala Temple
- Achyutaraya Temple
- Ugra Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
- Badavilinga Temple
- Prasanna Virupaksha Temple (Underground Shiva Temple)
- Lotus Mahal
Also Read Places to Visit in Karnataka
Hampi Hotels Booking
Check hotels in Hampi on Booking.com
Virupaksha Temple Map
