In Hampi this is one of the must see sites. Balakrishna Temple was built by Maharaja Krishnadevaraya in 1515 A.D. He had defeated Prataparudra Gajapati, the ruler of Orissa in the battle and had seized an image of child Krishna and brought this back to Vijaynagar. To celebrate the victory he initiated the construction of new temple. Then the beautiful idol of Lord Krishna was consecrated in this temple. This is evident from the inscriptions on the slab. They describe the conquest and the consecration of this temple on 16 February 1515 by Maharaja Krishnadevaraya.
Tower at the entrance
The main tower at the east is an impressive sight with numerous carvings on it. The epic stories carved on the walls of the tower.
Central courtyard
Built in the center of a courtyard, the temple has various sections. They are: a sanctum, an antechamber, an ardha mantapa, a circumlocutory passage, a pillared hall with three entrances and an open pillared mantapa. These all together form the main temple. Apart from the above there are also a number of other shrines for the attendant deities. The sanctum is at present empty. The image of Balakrishna showing him as a child holding butter in the right hand is now relocated to the Government Museum at Madras.
Pillared Mantapa
The carvings in the pillared hall are especially spectacular with the Yalis (the mythical lion) on the pillars. The inner sides of the entrance exhibit beautifully sculptured Apsaras. The entrances to the temple hall flanked with impressive carvings of elephant balustrades. The carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu can also be seen in this temple.
Tower of one of the sub shrines
Tower at the entranceThe main tower at the east is an impressive sight with numerous carvings on it. The epic stories carved on the walls of the tower.
Central courtyard Built in the center of a courtyard, the temple has various sections. They are: a sanctum, an antechamber, an ardha mantapa, a circumlocutory passage, a pillared hall with three entrances and an open pillared mantapa. These all together form the main temple. Apart from the above there are also a number of other shrines for the attendant deities. The sanctum is at present empty. The image of Balakrishna showing him as a child holding butter in the right hand is now relocated to the Government Museum at Madras.
Pillared MantapaThe carvings in the pillared hall are especially spectacular with the Yalis (the mythical lion) on the pillars. The inner sides of the entrance exhibit beautifully sculptured Apsaras. The entrances to the temple hall flanked with impressive carvings of elephant balustrades. The carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu can also be seen in this temple.
Tower of one of the sub shrines
54 comments:
1515 this is almost 500 yrs ago.. wow
Amazing post,
the Pillared of Mantapa
are beautiful
and your last shot its fantastic :)
Thanks for sharing !!!
Beautiful carvings!
Great and beautiful. Wish I could see more of these gorgeous pictures!
I think it is amazing, how much in the world is completely unknown to me. I have never heard of these events nor names; fascinating in every way.
Love the pictures as always.:)
The post/s about Hampi - I have to visit ASAP.
Another amazing place! Last photo is just beautiful.
Wow what fantastic photos, I'd love to see that in person.
Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
The construction and architecture are amazing, beautiful and so huge!!
Rajesh, this is such a fabulous post! Marvelous, beautiful photos and the history! I always feel that I've learn so much from your
blog/posts!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
I totally enjoyed all the tours you give every week. I just hope someday, I can physicaly see all these historical structures.
Incredible to think how old these are and still look so good. Always a lesson learned here.
My goodness. Amazing places to visit.
Inspirational ... I'd love to visit India and all it's varied parts.
There is always greatness and beauty of the architecture and full of history. I have enjoyed your part of the world.
Remembering the whole place now. :)
Nice post. I love the last pic.. :)
My Travelogue
Another of your beautiful temples, how many are thre I wonder, India is quite a large country.
That must be an interesting place to visit. I like the idea of the carvings being part of the structure of the buildings.
Good to see a marvelous temple...But i felt sad that the deity has been removed and kept in Chn museum...Why so??
That would be an incredible place for me to get lost and snap photos forever. Thanks for doing it for me!:-)
i love the way you cover these amazing places!
Thank you for the tour! I believe that India and many Asian countries have older cultures than we in Europe. I admire you to tell us about your beautiful buildings.
It's a beautiful temple.. Do you think that there is any chance for an outsider to understand all the Gods and Goddesses?? I would love to understand some..
Hi Rajesh!
Another wonderful post with a fabulous temple and some awesome pictures!!
Blogtrotter has some more Rural Iceland before the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy and have a fabulous week!
AwardGet your AWARD here!
Great history, fantastic photos.
Amazing shots, Rajesh!!!
Regarding next Saturday's Race, I'll do my best to take AS MANY SHOTS AS POSSIBLE!!!
have a great Tuesday!!!
Wow! What a lot of work you put into this site. Nice pictures and wonder historical information. Great job!
You have shared yet another amazing architecture of antiquity. That much sculpture just blows me away. Excellent captures and tour.
That is quite a stunning temple. So very beautiful. These images bring peace from another time.
Awesome! I love this place already. Great post, too!
500 years old amazing, I am continually surprised at the wonderful carved stone work from India. Another interesting post.
I am yet to visit that place. I wonder when :(. In the meanwhile, I'll tour online using your text and images.
Fantastic shots and very well explained..Thanks for sharing Rajesh..Unseen Rajasthan
I feel that this place is a paradise for photographers.
awesome pics!!
wonderful post!
Beautiful architecture, reminded me much of Angkor..but then most of Cambodians temple are very Hindu influenced. Happy day :P
I love the history and spirit behind these temples.
I do like these again Rajesh. That sub shrine at the end is especially magnificent.
Amazing structures. What a work of art. And lovely pictures.
Look and structure is amazing.Balakrishna Temple is 500 year old. Great information.........
Enjoyed the article,planning to visit Hampi soon by reading ur article.keep writing.
Such an exotic country and so very different to mine. I love looking at this meme. Sometimes we don't fully appreciate our own surroundings.
Nice knowing deep into hampi! wonderful description and pics.
Wow, the sculptures are so beautiful and old. They are holding up very well for their age.
Lovely! I wish I'll be able to visit India one day.
Hampi is still one of the best places to visit according to me. I would love to be there once again. Honestly I did not remember many of the location that you clicked the pictures.
Hope the restaurants ar not encroaching the sites!!
Great post
Anya, Asta, Mkreider, sixstars: Thanks, the sculptures on the pillars is a great artwork.
Kirigalpoththa: Thanks, they are definitely beautiful.
Phivos, Joo, Jenn, Ebie, Mitr, GMG, Unseen, Rahul: Thanks for the appreciation.
Bengbeng, Glennis, India: Thanks, yes that is lot of history.
Protege, Sylvia, Babooshka, Pyatshaw: Thanks, there is lot we have to learn from each other cultures.
Hobo, Guy D, ewok1993, Robert, chrome3d, Blossom: Thanks, you are most welcome to Hampi
Indrani: Thanks, I am glad to bring back the memories.
Arija: Thanks, one can find from temples, forts, palace across the breadth and length of India.
Viji: Thanks, I feel it would be safe there as still restoration is happening.
Wil, exposemaximum: Thanks, I agree with you.
Turquoise: Thanks, there are lot of books available in market.
Baron, Asta: Thanks for the award.
Sumandebray: Thanks, I have been here thrice and each time learned new things.
Swarna, JyotiAjay: Thanks, it is a nice place to visit.
antigoni, Sailor, Gwendolyn, Buenos: Thanks for the appreciation.
Gaelyn, Sandy, Joan, Diane: Thanks, the sculptures on the pillars and towers are amazing.
Ebie, magiceye, LadyFi, Radha, Jeevan: Thanks for the appreciation.
Kate: Thanks, there are similarities in artwork.
Fantastic blog...
Tenerife: Thanks for the appreciation.
A truly breathtaking place b y anyones standards. The energies and atmosphere around this area are fantastic and it is easy to end up staying for weeks!
What I would give to go Backpacking in India again!
Good Article !!! :D
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