PATTABHIRAMA TEMPLE Hampi
About PATTABHIRAMA TEMPLE
Pattabhi Rama Temple is a bit off from the beaten track or regular tourist trail in Hampi. However, this temple is as big as the well known Vittala Temple. The main shrine is bang in the center of the temple campus.
it contains two inscriptions of King Achyuta Raya, the temple is believed to have been constructed well ahead of his regime. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is known for its intricate architecture. It was a prominent destination for devotees during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Pattabhirama Temple is situated in the center of a huge rectangular enclosure. The east-facing sanctum has a three tier vimana with an antarala, maha-mandapa and ardha-mandapa. The large and square maha-mandapa is a finely built structure with tall and slender composite pillars of various types and is the best example of Vijayanagara style architecture. To the east of the ardha-mandapa is the usual covered pradakshinapatha enclosing the garbha-griha and the antarala.
This presiding deity of the Pattabhi Rama temple is Lord Rama. Known for its splendid architecture, the temple complex is confined within a large rectangular enclosure. The sanctum sanctorum with its axial mantapas is situated in the centre of the courtyard. A pillared colonnade runs along the inside of the wall round the courtyard.
The east-facing sanctum is a tri-tala vimana with an antarala, ardha-mantapa and maha-mantapa. The large and square maha-mantapa is a finely proportioned seven aisled structure with tall and slender composite pillars of various types. To the east of the ardha-mantapa is the usual covered pradakshina-prakara enclosing the garbha-griha and the antarala.
The hall in front of the main sanctum is a superb example of the Vijayanagara style composite pillar architecture. The inner ones are relatively simpler whereas the ones facing the courtyard are elaborate.
A tall tower at the east end of the compound wall opens to a wide chariot street. Further east of by the street is an elaborate temple tank. The street area is not much accessible and is now used by the local farmers. To see the pond you need to go a bit eastward by the main road.
The main tower mentioned above is mentioned is built with brick superstructure and granite lower portions. The terracotta images typically part of such towers is non-existent. However the details on the lower granite portion are intact. You can even spot the Crescent -Boar-Dragger emblem of the Vijayanagara kings near the archway of the tower.
Temple campus opens from morning to evening. No admission fee and photography allowed inside. No camera fee.
By Air
Hampi cannot be reached directly by flight as the ruined town has no airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the closest town to have an airport. Ballary is situated at a distance of around 64 km from Hampi. Visitors can reach Ballari by taking a flight and then proceed to Hampi by means of local transport.
By Rail
Hampi does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station can be found in the city of Hosapete (Hospet). The Hospet Junction Railway Station is connected to several other towns and cities of Karnataka by means of regular trains. Hosapete is situated at a distance of around 10 km from Hampi.
One of the easiest ways to reach Hampi from Hosapete is to board a bus. There are a few other means of local transport also to reach Hampi from Hosapete.
By Road
Hampi has a good road network and is connected to many towns and cities in Karnataka by this network. There are a lot of government and private buses that travel between Hampi and several towns and cities in the state.
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- Tungabhadra Dam-15 km from Hampi.
- Angegundi fort- Tungabhadra, Angegundi, Hampi.
- Chandragiri Fort -15 km from Hamp.
- Gagan Mahal -15 km from Hampi.
- Badavilinga -15 km from Hampi.
When you are visiting Pattabhi Rama Temple, do check out the hall in front of the main sanctum; this is an outstanding illustration of the Vijayanagara style composite pillar architecture. The inner ones are comparatively simpler but the ones facing the courtyard are intricate. At the divine marriage hall at the southeast of the compound you will see pillars engraved with some incredible Yali images.
The entire temple campus of Pattabhi Rama Temple was originally paved with granite slabs. Even today, you can still see traces of this mainly in the northeastern part of the grounds.
