Virupaksha Temple, Hampi – Legends

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi – Legends

Athma Linga:

As per legend, Ravana's mother, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshipping a Shiva Linga to bring prosperity to her son. Indra, the Lord of Heaven, who was jealous of this worship, stole the Shiva Linga and threw it away into the Sea. The distraught mother of Ravana went on a hunger strike as her devotional worship of Shiva was disrupted. Ravana then promised his mother that he would go to Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, and bring the main Atmalinga itself for her worship.

Ravana then performed severe penance at Mount Kailash to please Lord Shiva and also sang, in his melodious voice, praises of Shiva (Shiva Tandava Stotram). He even chopped his own head and made a harp with threads drawn from his skin and intestine. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion, appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. By this time Narada had asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind.

As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva offers fake Parvati to him. On his way back to Lanka Narada tells Ravana that Lord had not given him the real Parvathi and that the real Parvathi was in Pathala. So Ravana frees his companion, goes to Pathala and marries a king's daughter, Mandodari. Ravana returned to Lanka, where his mother asked him for the Athma Linga. Ravana realized the tricks played on him by Lord Vishnu.

He therefore prayed to Lord Shiva again, begging for his forgiveness. Lord Shiva appeared and this time, Ravana requests the Athma Linga as his boon. Lord Shiva agrees to give him the boon with a condition that it should never be placed on the ground. If the Athma Linga was ever placed on the ground, it would remain rooted at that spot. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.

As Ravana was nearing Hampi, Lord Vishnu blotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because with the Athma Linga in his hands, he would not be able to do it. At this time, Lord Ganesha in the disguise of an old man accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold the Athma Linga until he performed his rituals and asked him not to place it on the ground.

Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the Athma Linga on the ground. Ganesha called out thrice rapidly but Ravana couldn't come within the specified time. Even before Ravana could return, Lord Ganesha placed the Atmalinga on the ground, tricked Ravana and vanished from the scene. Then, Ravana tried hard to lift the Shiv Linga but failed as it was firmly fixed. Eventually, Ravana left Shiva Linga and went to Lanka. Since then, the Athma Linga is here.

Pampapati:

As per legend, Pampa, daughter of Lord Brahma, performed severe penance to marry Lord Shiva. She succeeded in marrying Lord Shiva here. The bank on which Pampa performed penance is called as Pampa Sarovara. This marriage is being celebrated even today as Kalyanotsavam of Pampa and Virupaksha. After the marriage he came to be called as Pampapati and the place came to be called as Pampa Kshetra or Pampapura.

Pampa Kshetra:

Hampi is recognized as Pampa Kshetra, Kishkinta Kshetra, or Bhaskara Kshetra right from the early times. This region is associated with Dandakaranya and Kishkinda Kshetra of the Ramayana.