Vijaya Vitthala Temple

Vijaya Vitthala Temple Complex in Hampi is one of the most advertised and popularized monuments of Karnataka. The temple complex is also house for the world-famous Stone Chariot – an icon of the Karnataka Tourism. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu also known as Vitthala or Vithoba or Panduranga – the Ishta Devata of Shri Purandara Dasaru. The temple was started in the year 1513AD during the reign of King Krishna Deva Raya probably after his victory over Pratapa Rudra Gajapati, the then ruler of present-day Odisha. Hence the prefix “Vijaya” which means victory is attached to the temple name. However, the project being so large and change in guard at Vijayanagara, the temple was not complete until 1565 when the empire fell.

A variant of the original Dravidian Temple Architecture, this temple like many other temples in Hampi is using the Vijayanagara Temple Architecture. There is a small main inner sanctum where the deity idol(s) are placed. The temple today does not have the idol that was (to be) worshipped and is defunct in terms of religious activity. According to the traditions, only the chief priest of the temple would permitted inside this sanctum. The smaller sanctum is followed by a bigger outer shrine where the general public is allowed. The monumental decoration of the temple can be seen mainly in this bigger outer house.

The temple stands on a strong stone basement with richly carved designs of the King’s army and dancing girls. The dancing halls and Kalyana Mantapas in the corners are equally worth noticing.

The carvings on this temple give an insight into the architectural splendor achieved by the artisans of Vijayanagara Empire. The temple consists of 56 musical pillars. When tapped gently, these pillars produce musical sounds. These pillars are popularly known as Musical Pillars or SaReGaMa pillars after the Saptha Swaras of the Indian Classical Music. Unfortunately, due to wear and tear, tapping of the pillars is now prohibited.

If every stone in Hampi has a story to tell, every pillar in the Vitthala Temple has several tales to narrate. Apart from the musical pillars, there are solid square sectioned pillars with occasional octagonal sections at equal intervals. Each rectangular panel across the square section is carved with an image depicting a story from various epics including Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata.

The chariot is a miniature standalone temple. Traditionally, temples of Lord Vishnu contain a stone pillar dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s vehicle Garuda – the half eagle-half human God and King of birds. This pillar is known popularly as Garuda Stambha and is placed outside the temple mantapa. The statue of Garuda would be carved on such pillars.

In case of Vitthala Temple, the Garuda Stambha is replaced by a chariot. Inside the sanctum of this chariot, a rock sculpted statue of Garuda is installed. Though some believe it is carved out of a single rock, the chariot is assembly of several rock sculptures including the wheels, axle and the platform. It resembles the temple chariots or rathas in which the idols of the temple are taken out on a traditional procession. The wheels of the chariot rotate around the axle, but this is not possible, and the monument is barricaded to prevent tourist vandalism.

The two elephants seen in the front of the chariot are believed to have been placed there as part of a restoration effort and originally the chariot contained two horses. Traces of the horses’ tail can be seen on the stairs.

In the photograph above, taken by British Col W. W. Hooper who served as an English military officer and photographer in late 19th century, the chariot also has a tower or gopura. However, today this gopura is not to be seen anymore, it has been lost due to deterioration by nature over past century.

You might have seen this while entering the temple from the eastern entrance but as soon as you get out of the temple, you will see a long flat ground with pillars to your left. This is Vitthala Bazaar and the pillars or the platform on which the pillars stand were once shops. A walk along the pillars would give one with an imagination, an experience of walking along the Bazaar during the Vijayanagara rule.

At the end of the Vitthala Bazaar, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the view of the entire scenery from this point is equally mesmerizing.

The temple is enclosed within high walls with 3 gateways on the east, south and north. The general public has to buy a ticket at the ticket stand near the eastern entrance to get into the temple. The ticket costs vary for Indian nationals, SAARC/BIMSTEC nationals and other foreign country nationals. The northern and southern gates are locked for streamlining tourists, the east entrance is the most prominent one.

Tickets for entry to the monument can be purchased either at the temple gate or online through Archaeological Survey of India’s new  ASI Must See portal.

There are two different routes to reach Vitthala Temple complex. Both these routes give a unique experience and we let you decide based on your comfort level, which route you prefer to take depending on personal preference. 

Vitthala Temple is situated at about 5.6km (3.5 miles) from Kamalapura Museum. From the museum, you would drive up to Gejjala Mantapa. There are buses available from Hospet and Kamalapura up to Gejjala Mantapa too. If you are coming by own vehicle, or by transport buses, you would get down / park by the Gejjala Mantapa. Vitthala Temple complex is 1.3km (0.8 mile) from Gejjala Mantapa and the vehicle parking area.

You can walk this short distance, enjoying the beauty of Kuduregombe Mantapa and the temple pond – popularly known as Vitthalaraya kola or pushkarani along the way OR you can avail the electric vehicle facility available for tourists from Gejjala Mantapa. These golf-cart vehicles ferry the tourists from Gejjala Mantapa to Vitthala Temple and back. Tickets must be purchased at the parking/waiting area before boarding the vehicle.

Map showing pedestrian paths to Vitthala Temple from  Kodanda Rama Temple and Achyuta Raya Temple

Vitthala Temple is about 1.3km (0.8 mile) from Kodanda Rama Temple and about 1.5km (0.93 mile) from Achyuta Raya Temple. Both these temples can be reached by walk and hike from Virupaksha Temple through Virupaksha Bazaar and Kampa Bhoopa Pathway. After exploring Virupaksha Temple and other temples on Hemakuta Hill you can gradually move towards Kodanda Rama Temple, Achyuta Raya Temple and walk over to Vitthala Temple from this place.

Keep in mind, the access route to Kodanda Rama Temple can be seasonal ( read about how to reach Kodanda Rama Temple). The walk along the bank of river Tungabhadra would be a pleasant one and you can explore few more monuments along the way including Sugriva’s Cave,  King’s Balance, and Purandara Dasara Mantapa. There is also a moola-brindavan of 18th century Madhwa pontiff Shri Raghunandana Teertharu.