Just opposite to Virupaksha Temple, a small hike beside the monolith Nandi, takes you to a point from where the top view of Achyuta Raya Temple is visible! Its just spectacular bordered by the hills behind it and the coconut trees around it! As the name denotes, it was built during the reign on Achyuta Raya (1530-42) who was the younger brother and successor of Krishna Deva Raya.
Like all other temples in Hampi, this too is devastated and slippers can be worn within the premises! The deity inside must have been of Thiruvengalanatha according to the inscriptions here and its a north facing sanctum sanctorum.
Unlike the temples of Tamil Nadu, here almost all the temples had their Gopuram built of bricks than granite which must have been easier to destroy.
On either sides, along the walls are 2 roofed corridors! However in several places the roof is gone! The pillars, however, are just impeccable! It did remind me of Kanchi Kailasanatha temple's Simha thoon (lion pillars). Esp the complexity of carving out a section in a pillar that makes 1 pillar look like 2 is just awesome! Yes, each and every pillar is 1 piece of granite from its base to the roof.
The much more complicated Simha Thoon in which the lion was in the size of the pillar itself, in the Maha Mandapa just reminded me too much of the Pallavas! Ofcourse, Kanchipuram also came under the Vijayanagara empire and inspiration could have been taken from here!
The much more complicated Simha Thoon in which the lion was in the size of the pillar itself, in the Maha Mandapa just reminded me too much of the Pallavas! Ofcourse, Kanchipuram also came under the Vijayanagara empire and inspiration could have been taken from here!
In front of it is the Achyuta Raya bazaar which is called today as the Courtesan's Street or Soolai Bazaar! At the end of it, is the Varaha Temple which I didn't get in. Though its called Varaha (a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu) Temple, it was most probably a Siva Temple according to ASI.
At the entrance of Varaha Temple, on the walls of either sides are the Kodippen (the girl holding the creeper plant!). But what caught my attention all the more was the wild boar with the inverted sword on both sides. That's the logo of Vijayanagara empire!!! Remember spotting it at Unamancheri temple?!!!
To Get There:
From Bangalore: 343km via NH48 & NH50
From Hyderabad: 373km via NH44
From Goa: 316km via NH67
From Pattadakkal (another UNESCO site): 135km via NH50
These sites are covered in The Tungabhadra Trek organized as a guided tour by Orange County Resort.
Each trail costs Rs.1000/- per head as a group.
If you want it exclusive just for you it costs Rs.4000/- for 2 trails (+ Rs.1000/- incl vehicle).
If you want a guide for yourself for the whole day it costs Rs.8000/-
Otherwise, KSTDC certified guides (they carry an ID card mentioning the same) can be hired at the Tourism Office or Ticket Office located in the premises of Virupaksha Temple, Sasivekalu Ganesha and Vittala Temple. The prices are Rs.1200 for 2-3hrs and Rs.1700 for 5-6hrs for upto 3 persons. For a larger group, the price would be higher. Also they are highly adaptable to your requirements / interest area etc and they could also meet you at your hotel and begin from there!
Ph no: of Prakash, one of the certified guides: +91 94820 61626
Otherwise, KSTDC certified guides (they carry an ID card mentioning the same) can be hired at the Tourism Office or Ticket Office located in the premises of Virupaksha Temple, Sasivekalu Ganesha and Vittala Temple. The prices are Rs.1200 for 2-3hrs and Rs.1700 for 5-6hrs for upto 3 persons. For a larger group, the price would be higher. Also they are highly adaptable to your requirements / interest area etc and they could also meet you at your hotel and begin from there!
Ph no: of Prakash, one of the certified guides: +91 94820 61626
Dedicated to Venkat