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Virupaksha
Temple :The Virupaksha Temple is one of the few temples amidst
ruins, still in worship. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, known
here as Virupaksha or Pampapati. His consort Pampa is often associated
with the Tungabhadra river. There is evidence of additions to
the temple made in late Chalukyan and Hoysala period but most of
the buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagar period. The eastern
gateway, which is the largest, is 50 m. high. The main festivals
of the temple are the Car festival in February and marriage festival
of Virupaksha & Pampa in December which are attended by thousands
of people each year.
Elephant
Stables :These are a row of ten chambers with variously shaped
vaulted roofs, built symmetrically on two sides of a central two
storeyed pavilion.
Queen's
bath :This water pavilion is better known as Queen's bath was
built in an Islamic style consisting of a square water basin surrounded
by a vaulted corridor . Elaborately decorated balconies project
over the water.
Vittala
Temple :In spite of its ruined condition, the Vittala Temple
represents the highest achievements of Vijayanagar art. Built in
the 16th Century , the complex is set within a rectangular court
yard. The building housing the main sanctum is built on a lower
level and its tower is made of brick and paste, The Purandara Festival,
Celebrating birth anniversary of the Poet - Composer, is held in
this temple in January-February.
Krishna
Temple :In a badly ruined state now, the temple was patronised
by the Great Vijayanagar King Krishnadevaray a himself. It
was built in 1513 when an image of Balakrishna was installed
here.
Monolithic
Ganesha :South of the Virupaksha Temple , there are two Ganesha
Images carved on boulders. One of them is enclosed in a temple and
other stands within a an open hall.
Monolithic
Narasimha :Beyond the Krishna temple Complex is the celebrated
but badly damaged sculpture of Narasimha, carved out of a single
boulder. The recent discovery of the detached figure of Lakshmi
identified this massive sculpture as Yoga Lakshmi Narasimha.
Hazara
Rama Temple :The temple built within rectangular complex lies
at the hat of the royal center. Dating from the early 15th century,
the hall of the Hazara Rama Temple has finely carved basalt pillars
depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. Around the exterior walls
of the hall are three rows of sculptures illustrating the main events
from the Ramayana.
Zenana
Enclosure : Northeast of the Hazara Rama Temple is the Zenana
enclosure which may have been used wither by the king of his military
commander. There is a strong Islamic influence in the buildings
which comprise watch towers, a treasury of a storehouse and the
Lotus Mahal.
Royal
Performance Zone : In this area are the remains of civic buildings
linked with the ritualistic and administrative functions of the
royal court. There is a basement of 100 column hall, possibly serving
a place of justice and a stepped stone platform from which the king
observed the rights of Mahanavami festival.
Royal
residence : Recent excavations have unearthed remains of places
to the west of the Hazara Rama Temple. Though only the stone basements,
plaster floors and fragments rubble walls can be seen today, the
typical Vijayanagar palace was symmetrically designed with the sequence
of rising levels in a 'U' formations, with the private chambers
on the top.
Achuta Raya Temple :The Tirvengalanatha temple which
was built during reign of Achuta Deva Raya is better known
by the name of ruler. The temple within are in ruins, but some erotic
sculpture can be seen in the columns inside the open halls near
the main gateway.
Kodandarama
Temple :Located below the Mathanga hill on the south bank of
the Tungabhadra river is the Temple, commemorating the spot where
lord Rama crowned Sugriva after killing Vali. There is an image
of Lord Rama in the temple which attracts pilgrims.
Museum
& Art Gallery : There is an Archaeological Survey of India museum
in Kamalapur.
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