The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently removed the walls built inside the main gopuram of Virupaksha Temple, where a mantapa was converted into an office.
About Virupaksha Temple:
The Virupaksha, also known as the Pampapathi temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva.
It is located in Hampi, within the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka.
Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, it is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
Considered the most renowned and significant temple in Hampi, Virupaksha Temple has been operational without interruption since its establishment in the 7th century AD, making it one of the oldest functioning temples in India.
Development:
Initially a modest shrine, it was later expanded during the Chalukyas and Hoysala periods.
The temple experienced considerable growth and enhancement during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th centuries), evolving into a prominent religious and cultural hub.
The rulers of Vijayanagara, especially King Deva Raya II and King Krishnadevaraya, played a crucial role in the temple's expansion, contributing structures such as the eastern gopuram and the central pillared hall.
Architecture:
The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style, featuring towering gopurams, detailed carvings, pillared halls, and expansive courtyards.
The design of the temple includes repeating patterns, showcasing the architectural and mathematical expertise of the era.
The triangular form of the temple and the manner in which patterns are divided and repeated are particularly remarkable.
The temple complex includes a sanctum sanctorum, multiple pillared halls (the most elaborate being a hall with 100 pillars), antechambers, and grand gopurams (gateway towers).
The temple has three prominent gopurams, with the eastern gopuram being the largest, reaching a height of 160 feet and consisting of nine tiers.
The gopurams are adorned with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities.
The temple’s design incorporates principles of physics, such as the Rectilinear Light Theory and the pinhole camera effect.
Notably, the temple features an inverted pinhole image of its tower on the inner wall, a remarkable example of ancient engineering.
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