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| Achyutaraya temple Ruins of Hampi, KA stepstogether.in |
Above images: Achyutaraya temple with damaged entrance gopura (town) caused by the raids of the Bahmani kingdom.; further affected by vagaries of weather over several centuries..............
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Achyutaraya temple kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com
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Above image: The temple dedicated to Vaishnavism, had a large market, but both are now in ruins. The temple complex has closed and open square mandapas, a 100 pillar hall (10x10), and it includes Shaivism and Shaktism images, such as carved images of Lakshmi and Kali. Square in plan the 100 pillared hall/ mandapa, mini reliefs from the epics of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana are attractive features .......................
Among the 15th-16th century great monuments of Hampi, Achyutaraya temple dedicated to god Sri Vishnu is worth a visit. Located between Gandhamadana and Matanga Hills. it was built in 1534 AD by Achyuta Deva Ray. Its original name wasTiruvengalanatha, but over a period of time it had become popular assuming the ruler's name. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara (yet another name of god Vishnu). The town on the banks of Tungabhadra derives its name from the Pampa Devi Hindu mythology in Sanskrit, with Pampa morphing into Hampa in Kannada, then Hampi.
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Constructed in the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture, the temple has two concentric rectangular enclosures, the inner sanctuary is within the inner enclosure. Inside the temple you will find big courtyards, lined with ornate pillars. walls and towers with fine stone carvings. Antarala, garbhagriha, an ornate maha mantapa and ranga mantapa are parts of temple The temple is surrounded by streets called courtesans' street. The temple is distinctly visible from the top of the Matanga Hill and is at the end of the abandoned Courtesan Street. The outer walkways are in a state of disintegration.
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Pillared marriage hall, Achyutaraya temple, Hampi, KA
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A noteworthy feature the temples at Hampi is the wide streets to let the Chariot pass through flanked by the rows of Pillared Mandapas, Part of the temple rituals included popular chariot festival that was witnessed by a large section of people. The inspiring and beautifully made stone chariot with four well carved wheels standing in front of the temple bears testimony to the popularity of the chariot ritual.
Though the remarkable temple complex lies in ruins because of unexpected political situation, its architectural splendor and opulence still stand out in the rubble.
