Vitthala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka: History, Timings, Attractions, How to Reach

Vitthala Temple, also known as Vijaya Vittala or Vittala Temple settled in the northeastern part of Hampi, near the banks of the Tungabhadra River, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. This great monument was built by King Devaraya II, later King Krishnadevaraya enhanced the beauty of the temple. Vitthala Temple is dedicated to Vittala called Lord Vishnu. This temple stands as a witness to the spiritual inheritance and brilliant architecture, especially Dravidian architecture.

This temple throwback the visitors to an era of grandeur and piety with its complex cravings, magnificent halls, and admiring sculptures. Apart from these, this temple contains the famous stone structures, Stone Chariot, and musical pillars which are the foremost attractions of this temple. In this exploration, we explore deep into the history, significance, culture, and architecture of the Vitthala Temple.

Table of Contents

History of Vitthala Temple:

The history of Vitthala Temple dates back to the 15^th century during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. Vitthala temple was built during the rule of King Devaraya II between 1422 A.D to 1466 A.D. Many portions of the temple were magnified and enriched during the rule of Krishnadevaraya between 1509 A.D to 1529 A.D. Over the spans, consecutive rulers contributed to its growth and enhancement, resulting in the masterwork that we witness today.

The Vitthala Temple is also renowned as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple and it is dedicated to Lord Vittala also known as Lord Vishnu. An idol of Vittala was cherished in the temple. It is believed that the temple was built as a residence for Lord Vishnu in his Vittala form and the Vittala had found the temple to be too magnificent for his use and had returned to live in his own home.

Architecture of Vitthala Temple:

The Vitthala Temple is supposed to be the outstanding of all the monuments and temples in Hampi. The temple demonstrates the great creativity and architectural brilliance owned by the artisans and sculptors of the Vijayanagara era.

The Vitthala Temple is built in the style of Dravidian architecture. It has unique features that are characteristic of standard South Indian Temple architecture. Its intricate carvings and wonderful architecture are unparalleled by any other structure in Hampi.

The temple compound is an extensive area that is enclosed by high compound walls and three huge gateways and it has various halls, shrines, and pavilions situated inside it. Every structure in this temple was made of stone and it fills beauty in itself.

In front of the temple, there is the well-known Stone Chariot, which is one of the three famous stone chariots in India. This chariot was originally preserved by Garuda which is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. This chariot was built on a rectangular platform, built out of huge granite blocks. A series of concentric fluorescent themes beautify the wheels of the chariot.

The compound contains four giant mandapas. The main mandapa includes 56 musical pillars. These musical pillars are also renowned as the SAREGAMAPA pillars. When the pillars are tapped gently, the musical notes are emitted.

The temple has a set of main pillars and numerous sets of minor pillars inside each Mandapa. Each main pillar stands as a support to the ceiling of the Mandapa. Every main pillar is enclosed by numerous minor pillars that produce various sounds.

Apart from all these, there are many other attractions in this temple like the Goddess’s shrine, the 100-pillared hall, the Kalyana Mandapa, and the pillared corridor.

Beyond its architecture, the Vitthala Temple clamps deep cultural and spiritual impact for devotees and visitors. It serves as an excursion site for numerous devotees who seek blessings and comfort in the divine presence of Lord Vishnu.

Major Attractions of the Vitthala Temple:

1. Maha Mandapa:

The main hall is also called the Maha Mandapa which is situated inside the inner courtyard. This mandapa has a distinct ornate base with engravings of horses, warriors, swans, and many other traditional ornamental themes. The columnar structure has four smaller halls and wonderful cravings all over them.

2. Stone Chariot:

The temple compound has a majestic stone chariot, which is one of the most popular architecture in India. This stone chariot enhances the beauty of the whole temple with its grandeur. This stone chariot contains an engraved Garuda figure, the half-human and half-eagle vahana or a carrier of Vishnu. This is one of the top three chariots in India.

3. The Musical Pillars:

These musical pillars stand as a witness to a brilliant masterwork in architecture. This is one of the main features of the temple and these pillars were engraved out of single pieces of stone which could be tuned to emit sounds, specifically musical notes. The main mandapa has more than 50 musical pillars. The main musical pillars are enclosed by the 7 minor pillars which produce musical notes similar to various Indian musical instruments.

Entry Fee of Vitthala Temple:

The entry fee of Vitthala Temple for Indian adults is INR 30 per head. The entry fee for adults from any other country is INR 500 which is $7 per person. There is no entry fee for children under 15 years old from any country. A still camera is allowed for free inside the temple but if you want to take a video camera inside the temple you will be charged INR 25.

Timings of Vitthala Temple:

The doors of the Vitthala temple will be opened at 6.00 A.M. and will close at 6.00 P.M.

Best Time to Visit Vitthala Temple:

The best time to visit Viithala Temple is between October to March because in these months the temperature ranges from 16 to 32 degrees Celsius also there is a post-monsoon season in between these months in which there are pleasant days and cool breezing and soothing evenings. It is the best time to spend time on the banks of the beautiful Tungabhadra River.

How to Reach Vitthala Temple:

By Air: The Bellary Airport is the closest airport to Hampi. This airport receives only domestic flights from major cities along with regular flights from Bengaluru. This airport is situated 64 kilometers from the Hampi.

By Rail: The closest railway station is the Hospet railway junction which is located around 10 kilometres away from the Hampi. This railway station connects to all the major towns and cities across the state and some places across the country.

By Road: Reaching Hampi by road is one of the best options because it has excellent connectivity by road. There are plenty of buses of KSRTC and KSTDC available along with cabs, and private cars from cities like Mysore, and Bengaluru to travel to Hampi.

Other Places to Visit Near Vitthala Temple:

There are some places of interest to visit near Vitthala Temple. It includes –

Sugriva’s Cave: This is the place where Sugriva from Ramayana is believed to have resided.
Carcasses along the banks of the Tungabhadra River: You will witness several ruins as you walk beside the banks of the river. Most of these remain unidentified.
King’s Balance: A physical balance on which the king sat on one side and gold or other valuable stones that corresponded to his weight measured on the other side were donated to the needy.
Achyutha Rama Temple: Achyutha Rama Temple is also a beautiful monument in Hampi that is filled with attractive carvings and complex paintings that are admired by most visitors.

Conclusion:

The Vitthala Temple in Hampi stands as an inspiration for India’s cultural heritage and architectural brilliance. Every corner of the temple especially the royal gopurams, and amazing stone chariots reflects the aura of Indian culture in the fusion of spiritual significance. The temple continues to mesmerize visitors with its eternal attraction and spiritual importance.

Further Reading:

Vitthala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka: History, Timings, Attractions, How to Reach

History of Vitthala Temple:

Architecture of Vitthala Temple: