Badavilinga Temple, Hampi, KA with tallest Shivalina in the sanctum that's always water-logged

Badavilinga Temple, Hampi  flickr.com

Badavilinga Temple, Hampi en.wikipedia.com

Above images:  Badavilinga temple, Hampi, Karnataka.. Waterlogged inner sanctuary and the giant linga.........

Have ever heard of a giant Shivalinga  with three eye marks drawn on  it depicting the three eyes of the god? The third eye being Gnanakkan, as it is commonly called in Tamil.  His right eye is believed to be the sun, the left eye is the moon and his third eye represents fire. His left and right eyes symbolize physical changes taking place on earth. Shiva represents transient universe- 

the never ending cycles of nature- the birth and  death cycle and  construction and destruction of the universe.

God Shiva's third eye, ar.inspiredpencil.com

This  unique idol more than 9 ft  tall and made of black rock is enshrined in the inner chamber /sanctum  of  Badavilinga temple, Hampi, Karnataka. 

What is special about this Shivalinga is it is monolithic made from a single block of hard stone. and is said to be the largest  in this part, besides its lower par is in the water year round.. It  is said to have been commissioned by a poor peasant women, hence the name Badia Linga -  in Kannada Badva means poor and Linga means Shiva. The temple has been around here since the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya of vijayanagara.

 water-logged Shiva temple, Hampi Hampitouringwithpk.com

The Shiva Linga has a large pedestal that is circular in shape. It is the yone pitha of the Shiva Linga with an outlet-pranala  The lower part of the Shiva Linga below the pedestal  is  partially immersed in water and this is due to the proximity of the groundwater level that is close to the ground, very much similar to Jambukeswarar temple of Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy TN built by Kochangai chola of early Chola dynasty, 2nd century AD  where the sanctum below the ground level is always water logged all through the year. (here Shiva represents the Water, one of 5 natural elements.  

Badavilinga Temple, Hampit ouringwithpk.com

Badavilinga Temple, Hampit ouringwithpk.com

Above images: Badavilinga Temple, Hampi, Karnataka - The chamber that has the huge linga is at the lower level; lower than the front part.................... 

The temple for centuries had remained buried  and was not known until 1900s’s when it was discovered and excavated. Unlike other places here the roof of the temple is  close to the ground level while the mandapa and sri  kovil (sanctum) are partially under one foot water being fed by the underground spring?. The topography of this place is such that the underground water is near the ground level of the temple. and at the current ground level, while the main structure is below the ground level. Further, the chamber is roughly 10 to 12 ft below the ground level. Photo credit: touringwithpk.com

Hampi (Kishkinda), Karnataka, on the banks of river Tungabhadra is home to countless monuments of exceptional beauty and was once a center of  commerce and culture with so many Hindu temples that saw their heyday during the Vijayanagara rule during 1336 – 1565. CE. Unfortunately many amazing buildings, temples, etc., were razed to the ground by the sultanate armies of Deccan after the fall of Vijayanagara rule under Ramaraya in 1565.   

Built in the 14th century the combined sultanates' army in 1565 on their raid never left this part to undamaged. In the chaos and and destruction of temples, the damaged parts of this shivalinga temple  got buried under the ground and for more than 400 years had lain hidden from public. You can see the truncate towers- gopuras and other parts in the front of the temple. Later in the 20th century,  archaeologists found some traces of this temple during their investigation. later further excavation brough this temple to light. 

Badavilinga Temple is one of the hundreds of monuments found around Hampi, UNESCO world heritage site. 

https://www.karnataka.com/hampi/badavilinga-temple/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mukulb/6108570399

https://touringwithpk.com/hampi-underground-shiva/

https://www.thecomfortescape.com/ancient-temples-of-lord-shiva-hampi/