Renga Temple Renganathan Temple

Overview

Renga Temple is located in the Indian state of Karnataka. More specifically, this temple is situated within the royal centre, an area otherwise dominated by the courtly structures in Hampi. It was built around fifteenth century. This temple is also known as the Madhav temple as it is dedicated to lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

About The Temple

The Renga Temple is characteristically small but elegant temple. It was built in east-west orientation. Architecturally significant features of the Renga Temple are the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with a rectangular pedestal, an Ardhamandaba and a large eighteen-pillared open porch or Mukhamandaba. The superstructure of the sanctum is typical dvitala (twin)Dravida vimana. The oblong griva is relieved by pilaster motifs surmounted by panjara units and the finial is mutilated. There is no idol inside the sanctum and the pedestal is also broken. The plinth at the sanctum and mandaba has conventional mouldings of a pada, kantha, tripatta-kumuda and pattika. There is no uniformity of size, design of the pillars of the front mandaba indicative of its later addition.

This temple has a tower built above the main shrine, which is made up of bricks. The main hall is located in front of the main shrine. It has a huge slab with the image of Hanuman drawn on it. The Renga Temple is well known for this slab.

The typical Vizianagara Devi shrine with Gajalaxmi in the lintel is considered to be the most interesting shrine. This temple also has a sub shrine in the vicinity, which is devoid of any tower. The encounters of Lord Krishna are portrayed in the carvings of the main hall in front of this shrine. The entrance to the temple has idols of Vishnu carved on it. This entrance is also characterized by Chaturbuja Vaishnava dvarapalas (four handed Vaishnava gate-keepers).

Renga Temple also houses an inscription as old as 1545. This inscription belongs to the Sadashivaraya period. It can be defined as a record of the construction of a Rengamandaba for the God Madhav by Thimmaraju, son of Vallabharaju. This Rengamandaba was exclusively utilized for holding dance, vocal and instrumental music concerts in the temple. The pillars of this Rengamandaba are known to have sculptural depictions of Garuda, Vitthala, Surya, Balakrishna, Hanuman and Alwar. The main beam resting across the tops of columns, also called the architrave is adorned by sculptures of Krishna Leela, Vitthala, Srinivasa and episodes of Prahlada, Matsya, Varaha and Narasimha incarnations of Vishnu.

How to Reach Hampi

Airport

The nearest town that has an airport is Bellary.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Hospet.

Road

Hampi is a town that has a good road network.

Temple Address

Renga Temple / Renganathan Temple,
Hampi,
Bellary District,
Karnataka,
India,
Pin code – 583 239.