Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is one of the oldest and famous temples in Karnataka, situated at the historic city of Hampi, about 350 km from Bangalore, in Karnataka, India.Virupaksha Temple is one of the most famous Hindu spiritual places to visit in Karnataka.
Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Virupaksha (Virupaksheshwara), as the consort of Goddess Pampa. The presiding female deities are Pampa, who is believed to be the daughter of Lord Brahma, and Bhuvaneshwari. Virupaksha Temple is also referred as Vijayanagar Temple and Hampi Temple. Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, lies on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River, to the north of the Hemakuta Hill. The ancient ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi city is listed by UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. The sub shrines of Goddess Pampa and Goddess Bhuvaneswari, consorts of Lord Shiva, are found towards the north of the main shrine. The shrine for Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is noted for its beautifully worked door-frame, pillars and ceiling panels. The shrine of Pataleswara, a form of Lord Shiva, is seen in an underground chamber. There is also a separate shrine for Navagrahas and for Vidyaranya, the holy founder of Vijayanagar in this temple. Many shrines and pillars dating back to the 12th century are found in the inner prakaram. Adjacent to this is the Tarakesvara shrine with the figure of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati seated on his lap. In the south-west corner is a Goddess Saraswathi shrine with a small black stone image of a two-armed seated goddess playing on a Veena (Veena, also spelled Vina, is a plucked stringed musical instrument widely used in Carnatic Indian classical music). A black stone figure of the six-armed Mahishamardini is in the western corridor. The narrow channel of river Tungabhadra flows along the terrace of the temple. It moves down to the temple kitchen and finally flows through the outer court. Virupaksha Temple Car Festival (Virupaksha Temple Ratholsavam or Rath Yatra) is held annually during the months of MarchApril. ![]() The deities are placed in a huge wooden chariot and taken in procession along the main chariot street in Hampi. Virupaksha Temple Chariot Festival symbolizes the annual ritual marriage of the Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa. Held during December, this festival marks the ceremonial betrothal and the marriage of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa. Bellary Airport (75 km) and Belgaum Airport (263km) are the nearest domestic airports to reach Hampi Virupaksha Temple.
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