TRAVELWALA CHORA

Shree Virupaksha Temple, Hampi ( Karnataka ) The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is dedicated to lord Shiva. Hampi is a temple town in South India and is acknowledged as one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.  Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. This temple was constructed in Lakkana Dandesha’s assistance who was a commander under King Deva Raya II. Hampi is on the embankment of River Tungabhadra. The predominant centre of pilgrimage in Hampi is this esteemed temple. It is the holiest and sacred retreat. The Virupaksha temple has survived through the years and never ceases to prosper. It is still pristine amidst the ruins that surround it. The yearly chariot festival is conducted in the month of February. The Virupaksha temple’s chronicle is unremitting from around the seventh century. Virupaksha-Pampa retreat was existent 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 s...

Shree Badaviling Temple, Krishnapura, Hampi ( Karnataka ) A huge monolithic Shiva Linga inside a cella, built by the side of the Lakshmi-Narasimha Temple enclosure. The Shiva Linga has a three-eye mark drawn on it in line carving. The three-eye mark depicts the three eyes of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple has been in existence since the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. This huge Linga, which is about 5 meters high, is locally called by the name Badaviling or Badavilinga. It is noteworthy that a channel that runs by the side of this shrine is diverted to enter the cella and thus this Linga is made to stand amidst water always. This Linga is situated inside a small stone chamber. There is a single opening in front of the chamber through which devotees can get in. An interesting thing to note about the design of the stone chamber is that it has no ceiling. During the daytime, sunlight enters through the opening in the ceiling and floods the Shiva Linga wi...

Shree Lakshmi-Narasimha Mandir, Krishnapura, Hampi ( Karnataka ) The famed Lakshmi-Narasimha image is situated towards the southwest of the Krishna Mandir. This colossal monolithic image, with a height of 6.7 meters, is carved in situ and an enclosure is built all around with a gateway towards the east. An inscription of 1528 AD states that Krishnadevaraya made a grant to the Lakshmi-Narasimha Mandir, which he got built. The deity, it is said, was carved out of a single boulder by a Brahmana (Brahmin). The cult of Lakshmi-Narasimha was very popular among the Srivaishnavites during the Vijayanagara period. In this image, God is represented in yoga asana (a type of squatting posture) under the canopy of the seven hoods of Adishesha. The coils of Adishesha form the seat for the god. The god also has the support of a yoga patta (a band of textile tied around the body, to hold the legs in the required position without straining them). The image, unfortunately, is badly damaged d...

Vijaya Vitthala Mandir, Hampi Vitthalapura is situated on the southern bank of river Tungabhadra, at a distance of 2 kilometers northeast of Virupaksha Mandir. It has two approaches, one through the river side path on the west coming from the Virupaksha Bazaar and the other through the path coming from Talarighat Gateway from the east. The principal structure of this urban sector is the temple of Vitthala, a form of Vishnu. The foundation date of this mandir is not known. However, it is known to have been in existence during the time of Devaraya II ( 1422-46 AD ). The Vitthala Mandir, also known as Vijaya Vitthala Mandir is, no doubt, the finest of the Vijayanagara monuments built at Hampi. The temple is unfinished, at the same time has suffered much damage due to human vandalism. Built facing east, the mandir occupies the center of a huge courtyard measuring 165m x 95m. The principal components of the main structure are the sanctum, the vestibule, circum - ambulatory path,...