Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

ವಿರೂಪಾಕ್ಷ ದೇವಾಲಯ

Shiva · Pampapathi · with Pampa (identified with Parvati)

Virupaksha

Hampi, Hampi, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka · Shaiva tradition

It stands inside the Group of Monuments at Hampi, the ruins of Vijayanagara, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The story begins: “Before there was a city here there was Pampa.”

Read the story
Directions

At the gate

Darshan hours
  • 6:00 am – 12:00 pm · Morning darshan
  • 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm · Evening darshan
Getting there
Train: Hosapete (Hospet) JunctionAir: Jindal Vijayanagar Airport (VDY), Vidyanagar

Not yet confirmed: dress code, phone rules, entry for visitors of other faiths, walking distance. Ask at the temple office or enquiry counter — and if you know, tell us. hello@aalayakatha.com

Full visiting details

Sthala purana

The story of this place

Told in: Hampi temple tradition as summarised by the Ministry of Tourism (Incredible India), with Karnataka Tourism

Parvati of Pampa and the wedding at Hemakuta

Before there was a city here there was Pampa. In the account the Ministry of Tourism publishes, that is the old name of the place now called Hampi, and Parvati is born there.

Parvati sets her heart on Shiva. She goes up into the Hemakuta hills and keeps a penance there for years, with a single aim: to win him as her husband. The account does not dwell on the austerities. It records the outcome. Shiva accepts her, and the two are married.

The temple, in this telling, grows out of that marriage. The god in the sanctum is Shiva as Virupaksha, and the Karnataka tourism department gives his other name as Pampapathi — the lord of Pampa. The name of the deity and the old name of the town carry the same story.

The episode is not only remembered; it is performed. Every December the temple celebrates the betrothal and then the marriage of Virupaksha and Pampa, and in February it holds its chariot festival. The Ministry of Tourism lists both as the temple's principal festivals.

The pillared hall at the centre of the complex, the ranga mandapa, carries the same idea into ordinary life. Rituals and weddings are held there, and local people regard a marriage solemnised inside it as especially auspicious — a couple marrying in the temple whose god is held to have married here.

Hemakuta, the hill of the penance, is still part of the site. UNESCO lists the Hemakuta group of temples among the principal monuments of Hampi, so a visitor can walk from the shrine of the married god to the hill where, in this account, the courtship began.

The account above follows the published government summaries; it has not yet been checked against the temple's own sthala purana.

Where this account comes from

  • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09
  • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
  • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

In one minute

Why Virupaksha Temple, Hampi matters

Each line says who it comes from and how settled it is. What the labels mean

  1. It stands inside the Group of Monuments at Hampi, the ruins of Vijayanagara, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

    Source for: It stands inside the Group of Monuments at Hampi, the ruins of Vijayanagara, ins
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  2. UNESCO notes that, among the ruins of Vijayanagara, the Virupaksha temple is in constant worship.

    Source for: UNESCO notes that, among the ruins of Vijayanagara, the Virupaksha temple is in
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  3. Its history begins as a modest shrine in the 7th century, centuries before the Vijayanagara capital grew up around it.

    2 sources for: Its history begins as a modest shrine in the 7th century, centuries before the V
    • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
    • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09

  4. The main eastern gateway tower rises nine storeys to about 50 m, and its inverted shadow falls on a wall inside the temple.

    2 sources for: The main eastern gateway tower rises nine storeys to about 50 m, and its inverte
    • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
    • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09

Shilpa

When you visit, look for…

Vijayanagara

A shrine of the 7th century, per the state and union tourism departments, enlarged into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers; the 15th-century eastern gateway tower and the pillared hall associated with Krishnadevaraya belong to that later phase. Its style has not yet been confirmed from an ASI or academic survey.

  • Gateway tower

    The nine-storey eastern gateway tower

    The main entrance is the eastern tower, nine storeys high and built in the 15th century. Its tiers are crowded with figures of deities; the Ministry of Tourism names Shiva, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Ganesha and Nandi among them.

    Where to stand: On the old pathway in front of the temple, facing the eastern gateway, so the full height of the tower is in view.

    15th century

    eastern gopuram height: 50 m
    • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
    • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09

  • Detail

    The inverted shadow of the gopura

    Inside the temple the main tower's shadow falls upside down on a wall — an inverted silhouette of the gateway.

    Where to stand: Inside the complex; Karnataka Tourism notes that a guide can show you the exact spot.

  • Great hall

    The ranga mandapa and its painted ceiling

    The central pillared hall where rituals and weddings are held. Look for pillars carved with yalis — mythical lion-like beasts — and warriors riding them, two lion-like guardians at the entrance, and a ceiling painted with scenes from the epics and the Puranas.

    Where to stand: Stand inside the hall and look up for the ceiling paintings.

  • Inscription

    Krishnadevaraya's plaque

    A stone plaque beside the pillared hall records the role of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara emperor, in the temple's building. A plaque with an image of Nandi stands nearby.

    Where to stand: Beside the pillared hall.

    early 16th century

  • Detail

    Shrines of Bhuvaneshwari and Vidyaranya

    Within the complex, alongside the main shrine of Virupaksha, are shrines to the goddess Bhuvaneshwari and to Vidyaranya.

Yatra

Plan your visit

Darshan times

Morning darshan6:00 am – 12:00 pm
Evening darshan4:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Confirm on the day. Times change on festival days and without notice. These times are not from the temple’s own notice.

Before you go

  • No dress code or entry rules have been confirmed for this temple yet. Traditional, modest clothing is always the safe choice; ask at the entrance.

Walking, steps and access

We have not yet confirmed how much walking or climbing is involved, or whether there is wheelchair access. If you are travelling with elders, ask at the temple office or the devasthanam enquiry counter before you set out.

Getting there

  • By air: Jindal Vijayanagar Airport (VDY), Vidyanagar · about 40 kmKarnataka Tourism gives about 40 km, with daily flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
  • By train: Hosapete (Hospet) Junction · about 15 kmAbout 15 km, per Karnataka Tourism.
  • By road: Bengaluru · about 350 kmSeveral buses run from Bengaluru; Hampi is about 350 km away, per Karnataka Tourism.

PIN 583239 (not yet checked with India Post)

The order of darshan

No published source gives the order in which to visit the shrines here, so we have not invented one. Follow the queue and the temple staff.

Festivals

  • Betrothal and marriage of Virupaksha and Pampa

    December

    The temple celebrates the betrothal and then the wedding of Virupaksha and Pampa, re-enacting the marriage at the centre of its founding story.

  • Chariot festival

    February

    The temple's annual chariot festival, held in February.

Customs you will see here

Itihasa

Through time

Two registers, kept apart on purpose: what the Puranas tell, and what the historical record shows. They answer different questions and we do not force them to agree.

In the Puranas and tradition

No events in this register have been sourced.

In the historical record

  1. c. 600–700

    A modest shrine in the 7th century

    The state and union tourism departments both date the temple's beginnings to the 7th century, as a small shrine that later grew into a large complex.

    2 sources for: A modest shrine in the 7th century
    • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
    • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09

  2. c. 1400–1499

    The eastern gateway tower is built

    The nine-storey main eastern gopura, about 50 m high, is dated to the 15th century by Karnataka Tourism.

    Source for: The eastern gateway tower is built
    • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09

  3. 1509–1530

    Krishnadevaraya's patronage

    A stone plaque beside the pillared hall honours Krishnadevaraya's role in the temple. UNESCO places the height of the Vijayanagara civilisation in his reign, 1509–1530.

    2 sources for: Krishnadevaraya's patronage
    • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  4. 1565

    Vijayanagara falls; the temple stays in worship

    The city was conquered by the Deccan sultanates' confederacy in 1565 and massively destroyed after the battle of Talikota. UNESCO records the Virupaksha temple as in constant worship, with the additions and alterations that continuous use brings.

    Source for: Vijayanagara falls; the temple stays in worship
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

  5. 1986

    Inscribed as a World Heritage Site

    The Group of Monuments at Hampi was inscribed in 1986. It was on the List of World Heritage in Danger from 1999 to 2006, and its boundary was modified in 2012. UNESCO has flagged shops near the temple and the asphalting of the ancient pathway in front of it as harming its setting.

    Source for: Inscribed as a World Heritage Site
    • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09

Around here

Worth the detour

  • Temple

    Hemakuta group of temples

    The hill of Parvati's penance in the temple's founding story; UNESCO lists the Hemakuta group among Hampi's principal monuments.

  • Temple

    Vitthala temple complex

    Listed by UNESCO among the principal temple complexes of Hampi.

  • Temple

    Krishna and Achyutaraya temple complexes

    Two more of the Vijayanagara temple complexes named in the UNESCO description.

  • Place

    Lotus Mahal

    Part of the royal centre of Vijayanagara, named among the site's highlights by UNESCO.

Sources

Where this page comes from

  • Government: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Group of Monuments at Hampi", World Heritage List no. 241 (inscribed 1986) whc.unesco.org · seen 2026-10-09
  • Government: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (Karnataka Tourism), "Virupaksha Temple" attraction page karnatakatourism.org · seen 2026-10-09
  • Government: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Incredible India, "Virupaksha Temple", Hampi destination page incredibleindia.gov.in · seen 2026-10-09

Cite this page

Aalaya Katha Foundation, “Virupaksha Temple, Hampi”, Aalaya Katha, version last reviewed 2026-10-09. https://www.aalayakatha.com/temple/virupaksha-hampi (accessed ).

Last reviewed 2026-10-09. How we label sources and confidence