Virupaksha Temple

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Overview

At a distance of 300 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Virupaksha Temple is situated inside the Pattadakal temple complex. This temple, in worship, known as ‘Shri Lokeswara-Maha-Sila-prasada’ from the epigraphs, was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II (A.D.733-745) in about A.D.740 to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. It closely resembles the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram on plan and elevation and represents a fully developed and perfected stage of the Dravidian architecture.

About The Temple

Facing east, this temple has on plan a square sanctum (garbhagriha) with a circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha), an antarala with two small shrines for Ganesa and Mahishamardini facing each other infront, a sabha-mandapa with entrance porches on the east, north and south and a separate Nandi-mandapa in front. The complex is enclosed by high prakara walls. Against the inner faces of these walls there were small shrines (originally 32) dedicated to the subsidiary deities (parivaradevatas) of which only a few are extant now. The enclosure has been provided with ornate entrance gates ((pratolis) on both east and west.

The temple is based on a high plinth of five completely developed moldings. The external countenances of the dividers of the sanctum are separated into a focal projection, two transitional projections and two corner projections with four breaks in the middle. In like manner, the mandapa dividers on either side of the northern, eastern and southern yards are partitioned into two projections and two breaks. Every one of these projections of the sanctum dividers convey specialties lodging pictures of Saiva and Vaishnava divinities like Bhairava, Narasimha, Hari-Hara, Lakulisa and so on., while there are punctured windows of different outline in whatever is left of the breaks. The parapet comprises of building components calledkutas (square), panjaras (smaller than expected apsidal holy places) and salas (oval) comparing to the projections beneath and the connecting courses (harantaras) over the breaks. The superstructure over the sanctum is a Dravida-vimana in three stories with a sukasana projection over theantarala. It is square in plan and rehashes in its rise numerous components of the parapet and dividers underneath. It has a wonderfully molded square rooftop (shikhara) with a round finial kalasa above.

The entire of the inside of this temple is adorned with exquisite carvings and stylishly demonstrated figures. Scenes from the Ramayana (e.g. kidnapping of Sita) Mahabharata (e.g. Bhishma lying in a bed of bolts), Bhagavata (e.g. Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain) andKiratarjuniya (e.g. Arjuna accepting the Pasupatastra from Siva) are delineated on the mainstays of thesabha-mandapa and the pilasters here have the figures of loving couples and Rati and Manmatha. Greenery, fauna and geometrical examples embellish different parts of the temple. Doorjambs (dwara-shakhas) with their sensitive carvings, columns and pilasters with different sorts of capitals and carvings on their confronts, lintels eased with creatures, fowls and building themes, roofs delineating divine creatures and the grandly standing dwarapalas all unfurl a rich universe of plastic workmanship before the authorities and bear witness to the statures came to by the Chalukyan models.

The Nandi-mandapa arranged toward the east of the temple, is a square structure open on all the four sides. It houses an expansive picture of Nandi on a raised floor. Its level rooftop is upheld by four columns and short lengths of dividers whose external surfaces are cut with orderly figures and Kinnara-mithunas (couples). There are various engravings of all shapes and sizes, engraved in various parts of this temple. Engravings in the yard of the eastern entryway record the triumph of Vikramaditya II over Kanchipuram and the imperial respect and the title of "Tribhuvanachari" presented on Anivaritachari Gunda, the designer of the temple and the laud the ideals of Sarvasiddhi Achari, the engineer of the southern segment of the temple.

How To Reach Pattadakal

The Bengaluru Airport is the nearest, at a distance of about 449 km. From Bengaluru one can get taxis, cabs or bus to reach Pattadakal. The nearest railhead is Badami, at a distance of about 20 km. Autos can be availed easily from Badami to Pattadakal. Pattadakal is linked with Badami by the State Highway 14. Aihole is about 10 km from Pattadakal and has connectivity with other major locations by road.

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