Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Vittala Temple, Hampi

Hampi, is the cradle of Vijaynagar architecture as showcased by various monuments in the region. But,the Vittala Temple is the prime attraction among them. No words of explanation can do justice to the architectural extravaganza of this temple. The construction of the temple was initiated in 1513 AD by the Maharaja Krishnadevaraya. The work was later supported by its successors Achuta and Sadasiva till its destruction in 1565 AD.

Sculptures on the tower of gateways

The sprawling temple campus was built inside the high boundary walls with 3 gateway towers on the east, south and north. The eastern entrance is used for entry into the temple complex. Inside this campus there are many halls, pavilions and temples.

Stone chariot

In front of the main temple is the Stone Chariot. This has become a iconic monument in Hampi. Even though it is referred as monolithic, it is in fact built with many giant granite blocks.


Temple Maha Mandap
The Vittala Temple stands on a strong ornate stone basement that has been richly carved with designs of horses, elephants, dancing girls, floral motifs and soldiers. The temple can be entered through a series of steps flanged by elephant balustrades that leads to the Maha Mantapa. This contains four open halls within. While the central western hall has collapsed, the south, north and the east ones are still intact.


musical pillars
The main attraction of Maha-Mantapa is its superbly carved giant monolithic pillars. The outermost of the pillars have slender and short pilasters carved out of the giant pillars. They are known as musical pillars as they emit musical tones when tapped. The tapping on it is not permitted for the sake of preservation. 


Sculpture on the pillar

The eastern hall is known as the musicians hall because of the sculptures of musicians on the pillars. The southern hall pillars are carved with mythical creatures called Yalis. The northern hall is surrounded with a series of pillars with the Narasimha themes. The ceilings of the halls are carved with lotus in the centre. The inner sanctum is devoid of any idol.



Pillared Hall in the temple campus
Even the other halls inside the campus are equally worth noticing. There is a 100-pillared hall at the southwest, the ceremonial marriage hall in the southeast. Even they have been richly carved.

62 comments:

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

Great place Rajesh!

Sylvia K said...

Fascinating post, marvelous captures of your world, Rajesh! Always look forward to them each week! Never disappointed!

Have a great day!

Sylvia

Reader Wil said...

These buildings are so beautiful and far more developed than the Greek and Roman buildings in the ancient times and they are second to none of the European buildings of the Renaissance! Very perfect and excellent examples of a very high culture! Thanks for informing us about these temples.

Luiz Ramos said...

Great Traditions.
Great World.

Anya said...

Great post Rajesh
I love the "Stone chariot",
it looks so funny :)
Amazing shots all,
as always .... LOL
Thanks for sharing your "BEAUTIFUL" country :)

Anonymous said...

Is this a World Heritage Site too? I was telling another Indian blogger how I think the entire India should be placed as a world heritage site.

I so want to visit your country and see for myself all these wonderful relics of your glorious past.

Carver said...

Those are beautiful temples. The carvings are amazing.

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Another educational and well-written post from you. I love old historical monuments and this was really interesting.

Rush said...

me wants change...new month, new series!!

Gemma Wiseman said...

How I would love to wander through this temple! It looks fascinating! And singing pillars! Wow! Beautiful photos!

SandyCarlson said...

I look at these places and think solid and delicate all at once and wonder how that can be. Always, I am transported by your posts. Thanks, friend.

Catherine said...

what a gorgeous temple...

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Amazing how these buildings have last so long.

Made a new friend from India, she hasn't seen Slump dog millionaire

Phivos Nicolaides said...

It looks ana amazing place!

Baron's Life said...

That stone chariot is so majestic and powerful...thanks for sharing my good friend

fufu said...

those pillars are gorgeously made ya!! great

Indrani said...

It was one amazing place!
Musical pillars, aren't they a wonder!

Martha Z said...

The temple in your country are magnificent. Thank you for showing us these wonderful sights.
Thank you for looking at my views of nature.

Greener Bangalore said...

Great Shots Rajesh and keep going.....

penny said...

Your photos are amazing. What a wonderful world with so much history and beauty.

Wolynski said...

Wow, this temple is really intricate in its detail. Can't even imagine the years it took to build this marvel with all its workmanship.
Wonderful photos.

magiceye said...

thank you so much for the insight into the vittala temple!

Unknown said...

This is wonderful place:)
Thanks for sharing.

Bhushavali said...

Yes.. Those musical pillars... I stood there for a long time trying to create tones... :)
Great post... :)
My Travelogue

Vamsee Modugula said...

I have always wanted to go to Hampi. Nice pictures and description.

LadyFi said...

What a wonderful extravaganza of sculptures. Wouldn't it be lovely to listen to a choir singing in the temple?

Gattina said...

What an artwork ! I wished I could see this in real !

Arija said...

A beautiful and very ornate temple indeed. The wealth of figures on the tover is remaniscent of European gothic architure with the facades often covered in high relief statues of saints.

joo said...

Rajesh, what a beautiful place!!

Regina said...

Such an awesome architecture and carvings!

Louise said...

Until I need to go there, I need to do some research. There are just SO MANY incredible, ornate, enormous structures. I need to understand when and why so many were built. I love that stone chariot. Your posts are some of the most fascinating I ever see.

Maggie May said...

The intricate carving on the buildings is amazing. A great place of beauty.

Jeevan said...

awe… the sculptures have great designs and first thing comes to mind about Hampi is the stone chariot! it take such place in imagine. Musical pillars are interesting!

Snap said...

I love seeing the temples in India. Thanks so much!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Beautiful buildings and amazing ornate carvings, Rajesh. Thank you for sharing these photos and this information.
Janice.

Diane AZ said...

Marvelous post! I had never heard of musical pillars before. It would be difficult to resist tapping. But the temple can still be enjoyed by looking at the beautiful carvings and big zigzag edges of the floor and ceiling.

Sujata said...

Beautiful place, lovely post!

Mirage said...

I'm curious about India, great takes!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely incredible!

chrome3d said...

That stone chariot really caught my attention and it´s really iconic as you say. It would have definitely been to much to do it from one piece.

amatamari© said...

Incredible beauty and splendid shots!
Thanks

George said...

Thanks for taking us on a tour of this temple. The sculpture is beautiful and I really like the stone chariot.

JRandSue said...

Outstading,love everything.What a beautiful sight.
john.

Hildred said...

Amazingly beautiful, and thank you for all the information about these wonderful structures.

Bradley Hsi said...

Indeed this temple is amazing, I hope one day I will be able to visit it in person. The stone chariot is particularly incredible, no wonder it is the icon of the monument.

Ankur Vyas said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
EG CameraGirl said...

The intricate decorations are astounding!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Rajesh:)

Very interesting, informative post with beautiful photos.

The carvings are fantastic especially the ones on the chariot. I am amazed to read about the musical pillar. Many thanks.

Have a nice day Rajesh:)
Joseph

Anonymous said...

simply great

naomijane said...

lovely pics...u have captured them beautifully...

Zuzana said...

I love to look at your photographs first and then see them again with your words and text as a guide. It is amazing all the little details that you point out, that I would have missed otherwise.;))

Rajesh said...

Reader, Arija: Thanks for the appreciation. Both the places India and Europe have architectural marvels.

Sylvia, Tabib, Luiz, Carver, Sandy, Catherine: Thanks for the appreciation.

ewok1993: Thanks, Yes, it is a World Heritage site.

Anya, Baron, Jeevan, chrome3d: Thank. Yes, the stone chariot is unique work of art.

Ann, Phivos, Martha Z, Greener, Pam, magiceye, unclewang: Thanks for the appreciation.

Sucharita: Thanks. I too love historical monuments.

fufu, Asta: Thanks, some of those pillars create music.

ThingsWeCarried, amatamari, John, Hildred, EG: Thanks for the appreciation.

George: Thank. Yes, the stone chariot is unique work of art.

Indrani, Mitr: Thanks, the musical pillars are really wonderful.

Gattina, Joo, Maggie, Snap, Janice, Sujata, Mirage: Thanks for the appreciation.

Wolynski: Thanks, It has taken them many years to build this marvel.

Vamsee: Thanks. Yes, this is a nice place and should not miss.

LadyFi, Diane: Thanks, it is not allowed as people do not show enough care.

Deepak, naomijane, Protege, Regina: Thanks for the appreciation.

Louise: Thanks, I hope you will get all the information you need here in this blog.

Grace: Thanks, you are most welcome to India.

Joseph: Thanks, Stone chariot and musical pillars are master piece.

Carrizo said...

Great tour of this temple. All the photos are so great. Especially I liked musical pillars.

Thank You for this presentation.

Anonymous said...

Greeting from Bulgaria.Very nice photos.

Bengbeng said...

this post is awesome. the pics, the history and the culture

Jeet said...

Check my travel blog and the karnataka section.

Aarti said...

hampi is a place i've been meaning to visit.. have you visited other Hoysala related sites- Dwarasamudra? belavadi etc...?? the Hulikere??? beautiful places... do chk them out if havnt already!!!

sandeep said...

that beautiful stone chariot ... i guess vittala temple is the most important part of the hampi ruins ... gr8 shots

Indian Temple said...

Clocks are offerings in one Indian temple. This rare place is Maa Panchu-baraha temple in Rajnagar. Whenver their sncestors were leaving for dangerous or remote trip, they would offer different types of clocks to 4 century old goddess for safety & well timed passage. The rather exciting times to visit are festivals like Dusehra & Pana Sankranti.

Hari said...

It brought back memories. Visiting this temple over twenty five years ago was one of the last family visits with both of my parents.

Deepa Gopal said...

I have always been fascinated by Vijayanagara...I was reminded of Social Studies in School:)

Nice place and pics!

Regds
Deepa from
http://deepazworld.blogspot.com

Rajesh said...

Aaarti: Thanks, it is a must see place. I an yet to cover the sites you have mentioned.

Carrizo, nadine111, Bengbeng, Hari, deepazartz: Thanks for the appreciation.

Jeet: Thanks.

Sandeep: Thanks, I agree with you.