Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to commence restoration work on the collapsed ‘Saalu Mandapa or Pavilion’, of the Virupaksha temple in Hampi (Karnataka).
About Virupaksha Temple:
- Virupaksha Temple is an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Group of Monuments at Hampi.
- Dedicated to Sri Virupaksha (Lord Shiva) the temple was originally constructed by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Hampi, situated along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, served as the capital of this empire.
- Pampadevi, associated with the Tungabhadra River is also worshipped.
- The temple's history dates back to the 7th century CE, with inscriptions referring to Shiva found from the 9th and 10th centuries.
- Initially a modest shrine, it expanded under Vijayanagar rule.
- While additions during the late Chalukyan and Hoysala periods are evident, most of the existing structures are attributed to the Vijayanagara era.
- Despite the city's destruction in 1565 (by the Bahmani Sultanate) the religious significance of the Virupaksha-Pampa sect remained, maintaining continuous worship at the temple.
Structure of the temple:
- The main temple complex comprises a sanctum, a pillared hall, and an open pillared hall, all decorated with intricately carved pillars.
- Surrounding the central structure are entrance gateways, courtyards, and smaller shrines.
- The eastern gateway stands as the largest entrance.
- Kanakagiri Gopura is another gateway leading to a small enclosure with subsidiary shrines and to the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
- Krishnadevaraya, played a pivotal role as a patron of the temple.
- His contributions include the central pillared hall and the gateway tower leading to the inner courtyard.
- Inscriptions next to the pillared hall commemorate his commissioning of these structures in 1510 AD to mark his accession.
Vijayanagar Architectural features:
- Blended influences from the Hoysala, Chola, and Chalukya dynasties.
- Primarily granite was used for its durability and soapstone for intricate sculptures.
- Influences from Dravidian architectural traditions are more pronounced.
- During the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, the empire saw a resurgence in Dravida style, influencing the construction of South Indian temples for centuries.
- Unique elements introduced in the Vijayanagar period: fortified enclosures, elaborately pillared Kalyana Mandapas (marriage halls), towering Raya Gopurams (entrance towers), and life-size statues of deities.
- In addition to temple architecture, Vijayanagara's secular buildings featured Islamic influences like arches, domes, and vaults, constructed with mortar and stone shards.
- Significant features:
- Raya Gopurams: Monumental entrance gates adorned with intricate carvings.
- Pillared Pavilions: Open structures with sculpted pillars depicting motifs like horses and monolithic statues of deities.
- Kalyana Mandapa: Decorated marriage halls with elaborately carved pillars, central to temple complexes.
- Amman Shrines: Additional shrines dedicated to the consorts of the main deity.