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The Vithala Temple is situated on the southern
bank of the Tungabhadra River. The most outstanding of the religious
edifices at Hampi, it can be reached from the west by walking on
from Hampi Bazaar along the riverbank, or from the east through the
Talarigattu Gateway. The ruins of the temple are a World Heritage
monument. It is in a moderately good state of preservation. The |
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temple's unimaginable sculptural work is a height
of Vijayanagar Art. The outer pillars are known as the 'Musical
Pillars' as they echo when banged, although this practice is now
discouraged to avoid further dent. The temple also features a
flamboyant stone chariot in the temple courtyard containing an image
of Garuda. The main temple was dedicated to Vishnu as Vithala.
Facing east, the chamber of the god along with its axial 'mandapa'
forms a long and low structural group, about 7.6 meters in height
and 70 meters in length. The group comprises the open 'maha mandapa',
a closed 'ardha-mandapa' with side-porches and a covered 'pradakshina-prakara'
enclosing the 'antarala' and 'garbha griha'. |
