Place · Vijayanagara Shiva temple · India
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Also known as Pampapati Temple
The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi, Karnataka — the 7-century Chalukya-period Shiva temple that became the state temple of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565) and remains the only functioning temple of the Hampi complex continuously used across the 1565 Vijayanagara collapse. The temple's 50-metre east gopuram was commissioned by Krishnadevaraya in 1510. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha (Shiva as Virupaksha, 'with unusual eyes', the consort of Pampa and tutelary deity of Vijayanagara). The annual Virupaksha Rathotsavam in February-March draws over 100,000 pilgrims. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 as part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi.
- Function
- Religious institution & practice
- Patron dynasty
- Chalukya · Vijayanagara
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
- Location
- 15.335, 76.460
Connections (2)
- Site withinHampi / Vijayanagara
The 7-century Virupaksha Temple sits within the Hampi/Vijayanagara archaeological zone and is the only continuously functioning temple of the Hampi group since the 1565 Vijayanagara collapse. Krishnadevaraya's 1510 commissioned 50-metre east gopuram and the annual Virupaksha Rathotsavam anchor the religious life of the broader Hampi UNESCO World Heritage ensemble.
- Site adjacencyHampi Bazaar (Virupaksha Bazaar)
Hampi Bazaar is the one-kilometre chariot street that runs due east from the Virupaksha Temple gopuram — the two have been a single functional unit since the 15th century. The bazaar's double-storied trading pavilions line the Rath Yatra path on both sides; the stone temple-car at its east end is pulled from Virupaksha down the street on Rath Yatra day and back nine days later.
Sources
Standard reference.
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