Virupaksha Temple, Hampi : Where History and Spirituality Unite
Virupaksha, the most famous temple among the group of temples of Hampi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Virupaksheshwara, and Goddess Parvati, revered as Pampa Devi. This sacred space carries an energy so profound that you will experience as you step into the temple complex.
The legend story
The Virupaksha Temple isn’t just about its architectural brilliance; it’s deeply tied to one of the most poignant love stories in Hindu mythology. The story begins with Goddess Sati, the daughter of Daksha, married God Shiva against her father’s wishes. When Daksha insulted God Shiva, Goddess Sati was so upset that she set herself on fire. Consumed by grief, Shiva retreated into deep meditation.
Meanwhile, the demon Tarakasura, having secured a boon that only Shiva’s son could defeat him, wreaked havoc on the world. The world, desperate to awaken Shiva from his meditation, his union with Parvati (a reincarnation of Sati) could give birth to their son Kartikeya, destined to defeat the demon Tarakasura.
The gods devised a plan — Kama Deva, the god of love, would awaken Shiva’s heart with his arrow of love. But the attempt backfired: Shiva’s third eye opened in fury, reducing Kama Deva to ashes.
This third eye, known as “Virupa” (deformed) and “Aksha” (eye), gives the temple its name, Virupaksha.
Rati, Kama Deva’s wife, begged Shiva for mercy. Touched by her love, God Shiva brought Kama Deva back, but only in a spiritual form, so that love could continue in the world.
Legend says that it was in this very temple that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s divine wedding took place. The sacred pond nearby, Manmatha Theertha, is believed to have formed from the melted boulders scorched by Shiva’s third eye. A dip in its waters is said to cleanse devotees of their sins.
God Shiva is also known here as Pampa pathi because his consort, Goddess Parvathi, is known here as Pambambika. The main Shiva Linga in this temple is Swayambhoo or self-manifested. After calming down, God Shiva called Goddess Parvathi to this location, and they were married here. The exact spot where they married formed a Swayambhoo Linga, which is the current Shivalinga of this temple.
Marvels of Architecture
The temple is a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship, featuring three towering gopuras and the entire temple complex is surrounded by it.
The main gopura of this temple, called Bistappaya Gopura or Raja Gopura, was built in the Dravidian style. This 11-story gopura stands 165 feet tall. The smaller second gopura, built in the Vijayanagara style, was constructed after the coronation of King Krishnadevaraya, which is why it is known as Rayara Gopura. Both of these gopuras face towards the east. This entire temple was not built by a single king but by various kings over different periods.
The Eastern tower forms the main entrance to Virupaksha Temple. It has extensive craftsmanship on each of its floors featuring hundreds of Hindu gods and goddesses.
One of the striking feature of the temple is the inverted shadow of the Raja Gopurum falls on a wall inside the temple which explains the pinhole camera effect. The size of the Shadow & position remains constant throughout the day but the colour of the shadow changes as a days sets off. In the morning the shadow is dark, afternoon as white and in the evening as the golden.
Another most striking features of this temple is the usage of mathematical concepts to build and decorate it. The temple has repeated patterns that demonstrate the concept of Fractals. The main shape of the temple is triangular. As you look up the temple top, the patterns divide and repeat themselves, just like in a snowflake.
Heart of the temple — Panch Peetha
The temple’s Panch Peetha — a central open area — is filled with symbolic structures.The first one is Deepa Stambha, which was used to place lamps. The second one is Istarthi Sidhi Linga, or wishing stone; it is believed that any wish made by touching this Shiva Linga will be fulfilled within a year. The third is Naivedya Peeta, a place to keep offerings for the deities. The fourth one is Dhvajastambha, for placing the flag. The fifth one is Nandi Mandapa. The amazing thing is that we can see three Nandi Bhagawan murtis here, which is very rare. This is because the temple has Trimurthi Sankalpa, representing God Brahma, God Vishnu, and God Shiva.
Additionally, three daily pujas, called Thrikala Puja, are performed here, which is why these Nandis are known as Thrikala Njana Nandi.
Paintings
Kalyana Mandapam / Girija Kalyana of the temple — Its ceiling is adorned with paintings made from natural dyes depicting the history of the temple, marriage of lord shiva , 10 avatars of god Vishnu , coronation of krishna dev raya etc. The colours used in this painting are made from fruit, flowers , vegetables and plant extracts even now the paintings look bright and beautiful.
Lakshmi: The Temple’s Star
No visit to Virupaksha Temple is complete without meeting Lakshmi, the temple elephant. She’s gentle, graceful, and revered as an embodiment of Lord Ganesha. As I handed her a ten-rupee note and received her blessing, I felt both joy and sadness. Her wise, soulful eyes seemed to hold a longing for the wild — a stark reminder of how even sacred spaces can confine.
I visited the temple twice during my stay in Hampi, attending both the morning and evening aartis. The atmosphere during these times is nothing short of ethereal. The rhythmic chants, resonating drumbeats, and the ringing of temple bells envelop you in a cocoon of peace and devotion.If you ever visit Hampi, let Virupaksha Temple be a must visit stop in your itinerary. It’s not just a temple; it’s an experience that touches and uplifts your soul.
