Context:
A portion of Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka collapsed
Virupaksha Temple:
- Located at – Hampi, the capital city of Vijayanagara kingdom (14th CE – 16th CE).
- Part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi which is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dedicated to – Lord Virupaksha (or Pampapathi), a form of Shiva and consort of local goddess, Pampa.
- Architecture – Dravida style of temple architecture
- Characterized by its grand gopuras, Vimana, intricate carvings, and pillared halls.
- Historical Significance – Inscriptions suggests that the earliest shrine dated to the 9th-10th centuries.
- Dynasties such as Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Cholas contributed to the temple
- Substantially enlarged with establishment of Vijayanagara Empire.
- Krishnadeva Raya (1509-29 CE) constructed a hall in front of the main shrine to mark his accession.
- He also constructed the eastern gopuram.
Elements of Dravida Temple Architecture:
- Garbhagriha – Small chamber made to house the main icon.
- Temple is enclosed within a compound wall with an entrance gateway known as Gopuram.
- Shape of main temple tower known as Vimāna is similar to a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically
- The word ‘shikhara’ is used only for the crowning element at the top of the temple which is usually shaped like a small stupika or an octagonal cupola which is equivalent to the amlak and kalasha of Nagara temples.
- Dvarapala(door-keepers) sculptures guarding the temple.
- A large water reservoir or a temple tank in temple compound.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Building ‘Kalyana Mandapam’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Chalukya
(b) Chandela
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Vijayanagara
Answer: (d)
