Virupaksha Temple - Hampi

The Hampi Bazaar a long street 32 metres wide and nearly 728 metres long, runs between Virupaksha Temple and the foot of the Matanga Hill and was once lined with magnificent houses and beautiful mantapas. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of the Hampi Bazaar.

History
It is the oldest temple at Hampi, constructed in the 15th century, and is dominated by its 50 metre tall gopuram. The sculptures atop the tower reflect the local worship of the resident deity, Shiva, and inside, the temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa, and Bhuvaneswari.

Architecture
The Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is the main centre of pilgrimage at Hampi. It is fully intact, and it incorporates some earlier structures. This temple has three towers, the eastern tower rises to a height of 160 feet and is nine tiered. It dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century and was renovated in the sixteenth century by Krishnadevaraya. This tower has been built such that an inverted shadow of this huge tower falls on the western wall of the temple through a small hole behind the sanctum. The northern gopuram has five storeys, and the inner eastern gopuram is endowed with three storeys. The presiding deity here is Virupaksheshwara or Pampapathi. His consort Pampa, is believed to be the daughter of Brahma. There is an ornate shrine to Bhuvaneswari. There is a shrine to Vidyaranya, the spiritual founder of Vijayanagar in this temple. The inner prakaram consists of shrines and pillars dating back to the 12th century. Krishnadevaraya also built a mandapam in front of the sanctum, and embellished it with Vijayanagar style bas-reliefs and murals. Several of Shiva`s manifestations, and the ten incarnations of Vishnu are portrayed here, as is the classic scene from Mahabharata depicting Arjuna`s shooting the fish device in order to secure Draupadi`s hand in marriage. There is also a mural depicting Vidyaranya the spiritual founder of Vijayanagar in procession. In the vicinity of the Virupaksha temple are several dilapidated mandapams. In front of the temple was once an ancient shopping center lined with mandapams, the ruins of which stand today.

Festivals
The chariot festival in the month of February is the main annual festival celebrated here. The divine marriage between Virupaksheshwara and Pampa is celebrated in the month of December.

Around Virupaksha
But it is the Virupaksha Temple in the middle of Hampi Bazaar that commands most respect. It hovers above the hills and trees, the boulders and the mirror like rock pools calling you back to the 700 metre long avenue that leads up to its entrance lined by the saddhus. There are quieter places on the way back past the ghats where you can bathe in the Tungabhadra. Above the ghats is a rock temple. The avenue leads back past abandoned colonnades that were the approaches to the king`s palace, now they are inhabited by pilgrims just waking up from their night`s sleep.


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Chamundi Temple

Chamundeswari or the Goddess of Mysore is the royal Wodeyar family's presiding deity. The "Chamundeswari" temple is on the hill which is popularly known to the world as "Chamundaswari hills". Chamundeshwari is also popularly known as "Mahishasura Mardini" as he rescued the humans from the clutches for a demon named "Mahishasura" ( a demon with a head of a buffalo). Chamundeshwari is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. The name Mysore originated from "Mahisuru" (the demon Mahishasura's city).

History of the temple

The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12^th century by Hoysala rulers. This temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture with a tall majestic gopuram. The temple assumed significance after the Wodeyars of Mysore came to power in 14^th century. This hill stands as the crown jewel of Mysore. The intricate carvings of the temple is magnificant.The temple has a very beautiful Idol of the Goddess wearing a garland of skulls. The idol of the Chamunda Devi is made of gold

There is 16 feet tall Nandi carved in black granite built by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar, towards the mid 16^th century with exquisite bells around its neck in front of the Shiva temple.Apart from this Chamundi temple there is a temple called Mahabaleshwara, Lord Shiva in the form of Linga is a diety. Earlier this temple was called as Mahabaladri, after Mahabaleswara

Dasara Festival

The Goddess of Mysore is worshipped for nine continuous days during the Navaratri festival. Special poojas are conducted on these days. Hundreds of pilgrims take the Divine Darshan of the Goddess during the nine days. The nine days are divided into three sub-periods of three days each. During the first three days the Goddess is worshiped as Mahakali, for obtaining immunity from diseases and poverty. During the next three days the Goddess is worshiped as Mahalakshmi, for securing wealth, happiness and prosperity. During the last three days the Goddess is worshiped as Mahasarasvati to obtain purity of thought and intellectual eminence. Books, and writing materials are worshipped on that day. On the ninth day, Chandi Homa is performed. Special offering is made to the Goddess in her manifestation as Chandi. On the 10^th day, a procession is taken out and the Banni, tree (sacred tree) is worshipped.

Dasara is a festival observed by all classes of people. It is also famous to the world for its "Jambu Savari".In Mysore a large procession is taken upto Banni mantap with an elephant carrying the Mysore Goddess Chamundi seated in the golden throne.

The other places of interest around are the Mysore Palace, Mysore Zoo, KRS Dam, Brindavan Gardens, Jaganmohan Palace and St. Philomena's Church. The near by towns of Srirangapatna and Nanjanagud are also interesting tourist spots.

Indian Temples

Indian Temples

India is a homeland of many religions. Here the people are classified through a system of castes, which is already described many years ago in the "Vedas". At first the people were categorized based on their occupation which on the later stages came by birth.

When we look into the history of the temples, we find that the first temples were built in clay and timber, then came the cave temples with the stone carvings and heavy stone pillared structures, mandapas with elaborate sculptures, sadas for dancing & wide circumbulating passages with other deities placed around the main deity constitute a temple complex which were based on different style and architecture in the later period..Though there were changes in the style and architecture of the north Indian and south Indian temples, certain basic rules fundamental to Hinduism were followed regarding the position of the garba griha, gopura, directions of the other deities, etc.

India has preserved its rich culture and heritage in its architecture and pilgrim sites.India was seen many dynasties and kings in the past who have left their history in the form of architectural designs, beautiful temples, forts, mosque, churches, palaces and monuments.Usually the temples and monuments have been built in "Dravidian", "Nagara", "Vesara" style of architecture.

Hindus call the sacred places to which they travel as tirthas, and going on a pilgrimage is tirtha-yatra. "Deva" means "God" and "alaya" means "home". So Devalaya means "house of Gods".The pilgrims come to the temples from far and wide with the belief that their wishes would be fulfilled by the God.

Following are a few famous Temples in India:

Chamundi Temple - Mysore

Virupaksha Temple - Hampi

Cave Temples - Badami & Aihole

Channkeshava & Hoysaleshwara temple - Belur & Halebidu

Iskcon Temple - Bangalore

Sri Venkateshwara temple - Tirupathi

Mahabalipuram - Tamil Nadu

Meenakshi Amman Temple - Madurai

Temple of Nine Planets - Tamil Nadu

Konark Sun Temple - Orissa

Puri Jagannath Temple - Puri

Brihadeshwara Temple - Tanjavour

Amarnath Temple - Himalayas

Sabarimala Swamy Ayyappa - Sabarimala

Kollur Mookambika Amman Temple - Kollur

Kasi Viswanath - Varanasi