About Virupaksha Temple

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka is noted for its architecture and has been listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hampi used to be the seat of the Vijayanagara Empire and the Virupaksha Temple is among the group of monuments built during 1336 – 1570 A.D.

The Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is renowned as one of the most sacred temples in Karnataka. Virupaksha is an avatar of Lord Shiva, and among all the surrounding ruins, this temple is intact and is still in use. Hampi is located on the banks of River Tungabhadra.

This temple has ancient inscriptions which date back to 9th and 10th centuries. Originally it was a small shrine, and the sanctuary of Virupaksha–Pampa existed prior to the commencement of the Vijayanagara Empire. However, the Vijayanagara rulers were responsible for building this small shrine into a large temple complex.

Although most of the temple buildings were constructed during the Vijayanagara rule, some few were also erected during the late Hoysala and Chalukya empires.

Major renovations and additions were carried out in the 19th century and gopuras were established and ceilings painted during this time.

There is also a powerful Virupakshini Amma temple (mother goddess) in a village called Nalagamapalle, Chittoor distirct in Andhra Pradesh, approximately 100 km from Tirupati.