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Virupaksha Temple in HampiVirupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in Bellary district of Karnataka state. Hampi is situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra within the ruins of antique city of Vijayanagar, the capital of the Vijayanagara empire. The Virupaksha Temple is the most important center of pilgrimage in Hampi moreover is considered one of the most sacred over the centuries. This is completely intact in the middle of the ruins and even now used for worship. The Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha an incarnation of Lord Shiva, for the reason that consort of local goddess Pampa who's related with the Tungabhadra River. History of the Virupaksha temple Historically this temple have an unbroken history from the 7th century. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well earlier than the Vijayanagara capital was found at this place. Inscriptions pertaining to Shiva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. What started as a tiny place of worship grew into a huge temple complex under the Vijayanagara empire. According to the evidences, additions had been made to the Virupaksha Temple during end of Chalukyan and Hoysala periods. Under the Vijayanagara rulers, during the middle of 14th century, there commenced a flowering of native art and culture. After the vijaynagar rulers had been defeated by invaders during the 16th century, for the most part of the superb decorative structures as well as creations had been thoroughly ruined. Temple Architecture The nine-tiered eastern gateway, which can be the biggest at 50 meters, is well-proportioned and incorporates a few previous structures. There are a brick superstructure along with a two-tiered stone bottom. That provides access for external court containing several sub-shrines. The smaller eastern gateway brings towards the inner court with its many smaller shrines. A small channel of Tungabhadra River flows across the temple's terrace after which it descends towards the temple-kitchen and out via the outer court. Krishna Devaraya, one among the popular kings of Vijayanagara Empire was a most important patron of this temple. Some of the most ornate of all structures within the temple, the central pillared hall is supposed to be his contribution to this temple. So is the gateway tower providing entry for the internal courtyard of this temple. Inscriptions on the stone plaque installed next to pillared hall explain his contribution for the temple. It is recorded that Krishna Devaraya commissioned this hall in 1510 AD. Annual Fair of the Temple During the month of February the annual chariot festival is celebrated here with great devotion. Best time to visit: October to March Distances from Hampi (Approx): Bangalore: 353 Kms Bijapur: 235 Kms Bellary: 75 Kms Aihole: 125 Kms Belgaum: 263 Kms Chitradurga: 150 Kms Dharwad: 180 Kms Goa: 312 Kms Hubli: 160 Kms Mangalore: 475 Kms Mysore: 500 Kms Pattadakal: 200 Kms Hospet: 12 Kms Routemap from Bangalore to Hampi: Bangalore - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Hospet - Hampi How to reach Hampi: By Road: KSRTC Buses ply regularly from Bangalore to Hospet. Nearest Airport: Bellary (75 Kms) Nearest Railhead: Hospet (12 Kms) Nearest Town: Hospet (12 Kms) Facilities to visitors in Hampi: Tourist Information Centre is located at Hampi Bazaar. Internet Browsing centre Rail Ticket booking Cloak Rooms Post Office Public Telephone
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