Religious Spots in Hampi
Hampi was once the capital of Vijayanagara Empire. Though it is in ruins, it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the ‘Group of Monuments at Hampi’. Hampi is an important religious center having several Temples with wonderful monuments and is famous for its artistic architecture and interesting structures. Still there's an interesting excavation going on in Hampi to discover additional artifacts and temples. Here is the list of Religious spots in Hampi, Karnataka.
- Achyutaraya Temple - The main god here is Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. There are two ways to reach this Temple, a side trip from Kodandarama Temple or to reach by steps near Nandi Bull.
- Badavilinga Temple has the largest monolithic Linga in Hampi, this idol is three meters height. It is said that a peasant women commissioned and installed this idol in Hampi and so it is called as Badava (means poor in local language) lingam.
- Chakratirtha is the Holiest bathing spot in Tungabadra River, pillgrims of Kodandarama Temple take a dip in this place before visiting the temple.
- Chandikeswara Temple - This Shivan temple is 16th century temple and was built by Krishna Devaraya after his victory over Gajapathi of Orissa.
- Hazara Rama Temple - Hazara Rama means ‘Thousand Rama’, the walls of this temple has infinite number of Ramayana panels on its and hence the name.
- Hemakuta Temples - It consists of a cluster of temples located on Hemakuta Hills. These temples have an elegant architecture and is sometimes referred to as Jain temples and most of its main idol is Lord Shiva.
- Kodandarama Temple is more known for its religious importance than for its architectures and is an important Rama temple in Hampi which is located in bank of river Tungabadra.
- Krishna Temple is famous for its idol ‘Infant Lord Krishna’ (Also known as Balakrishna) and is located in between the Hemakuta Hills and Lakshmi Narashima Temple.
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple/Ugra Narasimha Temple - Narasimha means half-man and half-lion, as per Hindu mythology it is the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu. This temple is located 200 meters south of Balakrishna temple.
- Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple - This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is located 3km down the road in Malyavanta Hill. Behind this temple, there is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Nandi Bull - Nandi (known as Yeduru Basavanna in local language) is the mount of Lord shiva, this monolithic bull sculpture faces the Virupaksha Temple and this Nandi attracts visitors for its huge size.
- Ranganatha Temple is also known as Vishnu Temple which is located at the north end of the Courtesan’s Street facing the Achyut Raya’s temple.
- Sarawathi Temple - Saraswathi is the Goddesses of knowledge. The temple inside is empty and the image of Saraswathi is carved on the rock and is located near the octagonal bath.
- Sasivekalu Temple - The main attraction is the huge statue of Ganesha which was carved out of a single boulder. It is 8 feet tall and it is located in the foothill of Hemakuta Hills. There is another giant Ganesha statue known as Kadalekalu Ganesha which is 15feet tall is located near Sasivekalu Temple.
- Uddana Veerabhadra Temple is religiously eminent temple in Hampi. It is located in the Matunga hill which is the highest spot in Hampi and the steps zigzagging to the hilltop is the easiest way to reach the temple.
- Underground Shiva Temple is one of the oldest temple in hampi. The temple is built few meters below the ground level, and so the core part of the temple is water filled and also there is a beautiful lawn around this temple.
- Varaha Temple is dedicated to the Lord Varaha which is the third avatar of Lord Vishnu. This is an east facing temple and is located very close to Ranganatha Temple.
- Virupaksha Temple is located on the foot hills of Hemakuta hill and is dedicated to lord shiva. It is a 7th century temple and still now the annual chariot festival is celebrated in the month of February.
- Vishnupada means foot print of Lord Vishu. In this temple a pair of Lord vishnu’s footprint is carved on the rock and is located near the Sasivekalu Ganesha.
- Vittala Temple - The main deity is Lord Vishnu. This temple has the most wonderful architectural structure of Hampi and the most highlight of this temple is giant granite pillars which have magnificent sculptures in it and the Stone chariot which is an iconic structure of Hampi.
- Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple is one of the famous temple dedicated to Hanuman which is located behind the Kodanda Rama Temple. This temple is open in the morning as well as in the evening.