Mula Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, Karnataka

Mula Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, Karnataka

Mula Virupaksha Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Hemakuta Hill in Hampi in Bellary District of Karnataka. Moola Virupaksha is situated towards the northern side of the slope of Hemakuta Hill that overlooks the Virupaksha Temple complex. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple.

History

The temple was constructed in 1119 A.D by Immadi Rachamalla of Sindhas of Kurugodu. The Moola Virupaksha temple, exists on the slopes of the Hemakuta Hills predates the Virupaksha Temple. The name itself (moola means origin or base) suggests of its antiquity.

The Temple

The temple is located near a small natural pond on the Hemakuta Hill, facing east. The temple consists of Garbhagriha, an antarala and a Sabha mandapa. The Garbhagriha is square in plan and enshrines a Shiva Linga. Its door way has three sakhas up to lintel, its door jambs depicted with Purnakumbhas. The Sikhara over the Garbhagriha is of Kadamba Nagara style having 4 stepped ties. The ceiling has 2 rotated squares and a flat slab which is decorated with lotus in centre.

The Antarala is square in plan, having Nandi. Its doorway has pancha sakhas, its door jambs depict Purnakumbhas and the Lalatabimba depicts Gajalakshmi. The ceiling has features like the Garbhagriha. The Sabha mandapa is square in plan and stands on four pillars in centre set on a raised floor; corresponding 12 pillars are on sides. The mandapa is partly covered and partly open at the front. It has niches at north and south which are empty now, once used for keeping sculptures.

The ceiling is similar to the Garbhagriha and the antarala, remaining ceilings are flat and plain. The outer walls of the Garbhagriha and antarala are plain. The Adhisthana and the Sikhara of Mula Virupaksha temple are similar to Kurugodu temples which belong to 12^th century A.D. There is a natural water spring (pond) right in front of this shrine.

Literary Mention

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6^th Thirumurai in 71^st Patikam in 9^th Song and 6^th Thirumurai in 7^th Patikam in 8^th Song.

6-7-8:

தெள்ளும் புனற்கெடில வீரட்டமுந்

திண்டீச் சரமுந் திருப்புகலூர்

எள்ளும் படையான் இடைத்தானமும்

ஏயீச் சரமுநல் லேமங்கூடல்

கொள்ளு மிலயத்தார் கோடிகாவுங்

குரங்கணில் முட்டமுங் குறும்பலாவுங்

கள்ளருந்தத் தெள்ளியா ருள்கியேத்துங்

காரோணந் தம்முடைய காப்புக்களே.

6-71-9:

கந்தமா தனங்கயிலை மலை கேதாரங்

காளத்தி கழுக்குன்றங் கண்ணார் அண்ணா

மந்தமாம் பொழிற்சாரல் வடபர்ப் பதம்

மகேந்திரமா மலைநீலம் ஏம கூடம்

விந்தமா மலைவேதஞ் சைய மிக்க

வியன் பொதியின் மலைமேரு வுதய மத்தம்

இந்துசே கரனுறையும் மலைகள் மற்றும்

ஏத்துவோம் இடர்கெடநின் றேத்து வோமே.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Hampi Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Hosapete, 13 Kms from Hosapete Junction Railway Station, 62 Kms from Ballari, 138 Kms from Aihole, 140 Kms from Badami, 163 Kms from Hubli, 167 Kms from Hubli Airport, 342 Kms from Bengaluru and 350 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the eastern part of central Karnataka near the state border with Andhra Pradesh.

Location