Virupaksha Temple - History and How to Reach
Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi was built in the seventh century during the reign of a well-known monarch, Krishnadevaraya. In the ninth century, inscriptions about Lord Shiva were carved in various styles. The temple is beautifully decorated with arts, crafts, and statues that reflect their culture. The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who lives inside the temple in the form of Virupaksha. UNESCO has designated this magnificent traditional temple as a World Heritage Site. It was established during King Deva Raya II's reign. The city of Hampi is located on the Tungabhadra River's embankment. In Hampi, there is a spectacular pilgrimage. It's also regarded as a sacred and holy retreat.
Here are some significant points that stand out -
Following the period of the Muslim invasion, some modifications were carried out, as most of the architecture, including pillars, had been severely damaged by Muslim overlords. In front of the sanctum is a lovely mandapa hall, erected in the Vijayanagar architecture, complete with beautiful paintings and Bas Relief panels. The Gopura is approximately 165 feet tall, 120 feet deep, and 150 feet wide. It is said to be one of the tallest Gopuras in southern India. This complex also contains two medium-sized Gopuras. One is the Northern Gopura, which comprises five layers, and the other is the Inner East Gopura, which consists of three tiers. Bhuvaneswari and Goddess Pampa are the most important and charming sub-shrines. The shrines are far older than the remainder of the temple's entrances: richly carved entrances and short round pillars.
The Virupaksha mandir has prospered continuously since its inception. December typically attracts a large number of tourists and visitors to the temple. Aside from that, the temple is surrounded by a few tiny shrines, a pillared monastery, and an entrance gate.
Quick Facts-
Address: River Road, Hampi, Karnataka.
Pincode- 583239
Opening Hours: 9 AM to 1 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
Opened in: the 14th century
Popular Festival Celebrated: Marriage festivities of Virupaksha and Pampa in December
Deity: Pampa path or Virupaksha (Shiva)
Where is it located?
This temple is located on the Tungabhadra river's south side, right across from where the local bus drops you off. This location has long been a popular pilgrimage destination for Lord Shiva devotees. Tourists and pilgrims alike seek out the Virupaksha temple. The nearest international airport to Hambi is Bellary, 350 kilometers from the Virupaksha temple. Visitors can take an auto/cab from Bellary to Hampi. From towns like Bangalore, Bellary, and Hospet, tourists can utilize the huge network of APSRTC buses. You could even travel to the temple from Goa via KTCL buses. Check the redBus website to find the RTC buses that could take you to the Virupaksha Temple.
What Is The Significance Of The Temple?
The tales associated with this temple are at the heart of Hampis' history as a sacred site. This temple is thought to have been in continuous operation since its construction in the 7th century AD. This makes it one of India's oldest and most active temples. The minor shrines of Goddess Pampa and Bhuvaneswari, Lord Shiva's consorts, are the most prominent. They are located to the north of the main shrine. These shrines are far older than the rest of the compound's spectacular constructions. The short circular pillars, entrances, and ceiling are all beautifully carved. A bit east along the abbey, you can discover flight stairs leading to an underground chamber.
What Are The Different Festivals That Are Celebrated Here?
A well-known celebration in the Virupaksha temple is the Kalyanotsavam (marriage festival) of Virupaksha and Pampa. Pampa-Virupaksha or Pampapati, Pampa's husband, are other names for Virupaksha. It is interesting to know that the place (Hampi), the river and lake (Pampa and Pampa-Sarovar), the primary God (Pampapati), and the entire area of pilgrimage (Pampapura or Virupaksha) are all named after this goddess, even though her worship was relegated to only a tiny sub-shrine in the Virupaksha complex over time. The temple continues to grow, attracting large audiences during the Virupaksha and Pampa betrothal and marriage ceremonies in December. In addition, every year in February, the annual chariot festival is held here.
Locations and Bus Routes
redBus is a pioneer in bus transportation, and you may book it on its website. redBus has several routes to and from the shrine. From Bellary, Hospet, and Bangalore, tourists can take a bus to Hampi. The road network connecting Shri Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, to the rest of the places is pretty good. The road network connects Hampi to several towns and cities. Various buses run between Hampi and the surrounding areas. Private cars and vans can be booked from Bangalore or Mysore to get to Hampi.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple by bus?
Hampi is well connected to Karnataka's major cities and towns by bus. On the other hand, traveling by bus is the most cost-effective option. A large number of bus lines serve this route. In addition, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation runs daily buses from Bengaluru to Hospet. Therefore, taking a local bus from Hospet to Hampi is a good option. If you wish to take an air-conditioned bus, you should purchase your tickets ahead of time because the buses are usually packed with visitors.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple from Delhi?
The quickest method to get from New Delhi to Hampi is to fly to Kempegowda International Airport, then take a cab to Hampi, which takes about 10 hours and 40 minutes. There are no direct flights or trains to Hampi, unfortunately. However, new Delhi and Bangalore are connected by the Karnataka Express (Train No. 12628). This train stops at Guntakal Jn (GTL), from which you can get a train to Hospet Jn (HPT), Hampi's nearest railway station.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple from Ahmedabad?
The quickest method to get from Ahmedabad to Hampi is to fly to Hubballi Airport, then take a cab to Hampi, which takes 6 hours and 38 minutes. By road, the distance between Ahmedabad and Hampi is 1253 kilometers. The distance between Ahmedabad and Hampi is 947 kilometers by air. There is a bus that connects Ahmedabad with Hampi. In addition, there is a direct bus service between Ahmedabad and Vijay Nagar. Once a day, services depart.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple from Dwarka?
Between Dwarka to Hampi, there is no direct route of transportation. It takes 37h 23m to travel from Dwarka to Hampi by bus to Surat, then bus to Hubli, then a cab to Hampi. It takes 23h 28m to get from Dwarka to Hampi by bus to Ahmedabad, then airplane to Hubballi Airport, then taxi to Hampi. The recommended route from Dwarka to Hampi takes 23h 28m and includes a bus to Ahmedabad, a flight to Hubballi Airport, and a cab to Hampi.
Virupaksha Temple routes on redBus
Ahmedabad
From Ahmedabad, one can take a bus to Bellary. The journey is approximately 28 hours, and from Bellary, the distance to Hampi is 60 km. The tickets are priced between 3000-4000 rupees. The buses can be boarded from Char Rasta, Ahmedabad, and travelers can check the redBus website for the schedule of the buses.
Surat
From Surat, buses are available to Hospet, and the journey is 20 hours with tickets priced at 3000 rupees. From Hospete, it is easier to get to Hampi since the distance is just 13 km.
Mumbai
There is no direct bus available from Mumbai to Virupaksha, and the easiest way to get there is to take a bus from Mumbai to Bangalore and then from Bangalore to Hampi. The entire journey will be a day long, but that is the cheapest way to get there.
To learn more about the many routes available to get to Virupaksha Temple, go to the redBus website today. On the redBus app and website, you can get exclusive deals and discounts.
