Hazara Rama Temple also spelt as Hazari Rama Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is present in the Royal Enclosure Area of Hampi – A UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is popularly called “Hazari Rama Temple” or “Hazara Rama Temple” because of the large number of Ramayana panels on the walls. This temple is believed to have been the private place of worship for the Royal family and away from common folk access.
Originally, the temple consisted of a sanctum, an Ardha Mantapa and a pillared hall to which an open porch with tall and elegant pillars was added subsequently. A high wall encloses the entire complex with the main entrances set on the east. To the south is a small doorway, which leads to the Durbar Area. The pillar hall is notable for its unique pillars in black-stone. They are set on a raised stone platform in the middle of the hall. The tall and elegant pillars of the open porch are also worth a second look. The other structures in this temple complex are a shrine for Devi and Utsava Mantapa.
As the name indicates, this temple is famous for its many Ramayana panels. This is the only temple in Hampi where the exterior walls have boldly chiseled bas-reliefs. These bas-reliefs are narrative in nature. The Ramayana epic is carved in detail. Incidents in the story like Putrakameshthi Yagna performed by King Dasaratha to beget sons, the birth of Princes, Lord Rama’s exile into the forest accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, the hunt for Golden Deer, Abduction of Sita, Angada visiting Lanka and the ultimate fight between Rama and Ravana are all carved in a vivid manner. In these panels, the story of Rama and through it the triumph of good over evil is brought out. The genesis of Hampi dates back to the age Ramayana when it was the monkey kingdom Kishkindha.
Check out our blog articles on tales from Ramayana carved on Hazara Rama Temple series to learn more.
