Vittala Temple, Hampi – An

Architectural Wonder
History of Vittala Temple, Hampi

 The renowned Vittala Temple dates back to the 15  century

th

 It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II, one of the rulers
of the Vijayanagara Empire. 
  Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced
during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the most famous ruler of the
Vijayanagara dynasty. He played a significant role in giving the
monument its present look.
 The Vittala Temple is also known as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple
  It is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
 The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi, near the
banks of the Tungabhadra River.

Splendid Architecture of Vittala Temple

 The temple exemplifies the immense creativity and

architectural excellence possessed by the sculptors and
artisans of the Vijayanagara era
 The Vittala temple is built in the Dravidian style of
architecture.
 The temple complex is a sprawling area that is surrounded by
high compound walls and three towering gateways.
 The temple complex has many halls, shrines and pavilions
located inside it. Each of these structures is made of stone 
 Notable among these structures are the shrine of the
Goddess, Ranga Mantapa, Kalyana Mantapa, Utsava
Mantapa, and the famous stone chariot.

Maha Mantapa
 The Maha Mantapa or main hall of the Vittala Temple is
situated in the inner courtyard of the temple complex.
 The base is decorated with carvings of warriors, horses, swans
and several other ornamental designs.
 The Maha Mantapa comprises of four smaller halls
 There are forty pillars lining the facade of the temple. Each of
these pillars has a height of 10 feet.
 The central part of the Maha Mantapa has sixteen intricately
decorated pillars having beautiful sculptures of Narasimha
and Yali. These set of sixteen pillars forms a rectangular court
 The ceiling of the Maha Mantapa is a richly designed
structure.

Stone Chariot
 The Vittala Temple Complex has the richly sculpted Stone
Chariot, which is considered to be the most stunning
architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdom.
 The Stone Chariot or Ratha stands in the courtyard of temple.
 It is one of the three famous stone chariots in India.
 The Stone Chariot of Vittala Temple is actually a shrine that
has been designed in the shape of an ornamental chariot
  The shrine is dedicated to Garuda and had an image of
Garuda enshrined into the sanctum.
 The Musical Pillars of the Ranga Mantapa
 The cluster of musical pillars inside the Vittala Temple
complex was carved out of huge single pieces of resonant
stone.
 The emission of musical notes from stone pillars was a
mystery that fascinated many people down the centuries

Present Condition of Vittala Temple

 The Vittala Temple is in a partially ruined

 now the sanctum is devoid of any idol
 The central western hall of the temple was ruined long
ago during the attack of the Mughals that led to the
downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire
  Even tapping the musical pillars to emit musical notes
is prohibited, as tapping over the years have caused
some damage to the musical pillars of the Ranga
Mantapa.
 Road leading to the temple is in a completely ruined
state.
Carvings of Kalyana Mantapa
Vvvvaa

Ariel view pf Vittala temple

musical pillars of Vitthala temple

 musical
pillars

Painted ceiling from the

Vitthala temple depicting
Hindu mythology of 14 Th
centaury
Vitthala temple night view