DRAVIDIAN : VIJAYNAGAR PERIOD

Vijayanagar Architecture is a complex and beautiful style of architecture that is found in the
city of Vijayanagar in South India. The city was founded in 1336 by King Bukka Raya, and at
its peak, it had a population of over one million people. The city was a centre of Islamic
scholarship and is famed for its opulent mosques, temples, and palaces.
The Vijayanagar Architecture is characterised by its elaborate terracotta and stone
decorations, as well as its graceful arches and vaults. Many of the buildings are embellished
with intricate carvings and reliefs.
The Vijayanagar architecture design is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. It is a
perfect example of how Indian culture was able to blend to create an eclectic and beautiful
form of architecture.
The Vijayanagar style of architecture is named after the Vijayanagar Empire, a 14th- to 16th-
century Hindu empire located in South India. The Vijayanagar style is characterised by its
ornate and intricately carved temples and palaces, which display a mix of Dravidian, Indo-
Islamic and Deccan styles.
The Vijayanagar style was very influential and was adopted by many other Hindu kingdoms
in South India. The style peaked creativity and sophistication in the 16th century, and many
beautiful examples of Vijayanagar architecture still survive today.

VITTHALA TEMPLE

The renowned Vittala Temple dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of
King Devaraya II (1422 – 1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Several
portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced between 1509 – 1529 A.D.

The Vittala Temple is also known as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple. It is dedicated to Lord
Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. An idol of Vitthala-Vishnu was enshrined in the
temple. Legend has it that the temple was built as an abode for Lord Vishnu in his Vitthala
form. However, the Lord had found the temple to be too grand for his use and had returned
to live in his own humble home.

The Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional
architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. It is considered to be one of the largest and the
most famous structure in Hampi. The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi,
near the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

The iconic temple has amazing stone structures such as the incomparable stone chariot and
the fascinating musical pillars. The cluster of musical pillars inside the Vittala Temple
complex was carved out of huge single pieces of resonant stone. The emission of musical
notes from stone pillars was a mystery that fascinated many people down the centuries.
 It is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, and has traits and features that are
characteristic of typical south Indian temple architecture. It is believed that the main shrine of
the temple originally had one enclosed Mantapa. An open Mantapa was added to it in the
year 1554 A.D. The temple complex is a sprawling area that is surrounded by high
compound walls and three towering gateways. The temple complex has many halls, shrines
and pavilions located inside it. Each of these structures is made of stone and each structure
is a beauty in itself.

MAHA MANTAPA

The Maha Mantapa or main hall of the Vittala Temple is situated in the inner courtyard of the
temple complex. It is a structure of immense beauty and is situated on a highly ornate base.
The base is decorated with carvings of warriors, horses, swans and several other
ornamental designs.

The Maha Mantapa comprises of four smaller halls. The steps on the eastern side of the
Maha Mantapa are decorated with elephant balustrade. There are forty pillars lining the
facade of the temple. Each of these pillars has a height of 10 feet.

The central part of the Maha Mantapa has sixteen intricately decorated pillars having
beautiful sculptures of Narasimha and Yali. These set of sixteen pillars forms a rectangular
court. The ceiling of the Maha Mantapa is a richly designed structure.

STONE CHARIOT

The Vittala Temple Complex has the richly sculpted Stone Chariot, which is considered to be
the most stunning architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdom. The Stone Chariot or Ratha
stands in the courtyard of temple. It is one of the three famous stone chariots in India. The
other two chariots are situated in Konark (Odissa) and Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu).

The Stone Chariot of Vittala Temple is actually a shrine that has been designed in the shape
of an ornamental chariot. The shrine is dedicated to Garuda and had an image of Garuda
enshrined into the sanctum. As per Hindu mythology, Garuda is the carrier of Lord Vishnu.

THE MUSICAL PILLARS OF THE RANGA MANTAPA

The Ranga Mantapa is one of the main attractions of the Vittala Temple. The large mantapa
is renowned for its 56 musical pillars. These musical pillars are also known as SAREGAMA
pillars, indicating the musical notes emitted by them. The musical notes and emanated when
the pillars are tapped gently.

There are a set of main pillars and several sets of minor pillars inside the Mantapa. Each
main pillar provides support to the ceiling of the Ranga Mantapa. The main pillars are
designed as musical instruments.

Every main pillar is surrounded by 7 minor pillars. These 7 pillars emit 7 different musical
notes from the representative musical instruments. The notes emanating from these pillars
vary in sound quality depending on whether the instrument is a percussion, string or wind
instrument.
HAZARA RAMA TEMPLE
Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi is an important shrine in Hampi. This small but beautiful
temple is located at the centre of the royal area. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, a
Hindu deity. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara.
The temple is famous for the lovely bas relics and panels depicting the story of the epic
Ramayana.

Hazara Rama Temple was built in the early part of the 15th century by the then king of
Vijayanagara, Devaraya II. It was originally built as a simple structure. It consisted of only a
sanctum, a pillared hall and an ardha mantapa. Later the temple structure was renovated to
add an open porch and beautiful pillars.

The Hazara Rama Temple is a unique temple in many aspects. The first thing that draws
attention about the temple is its name. The term ‘Hazara Rama’ literally means a thousand
Rama and refers to the multitude of relics depicting the reigning deity of the temple.

The walls of the temple carry the story of Ramayana carved on stone. The outer walls of the
temple are decorated with bas-relics of Rama and Krishna. The relics also portray
processions of horses, elephants, attendants, soldiers and dancing women taking part in the
Dasara festival rally at that time. The relics are among the most extensive ones to be found
anywhere in India.

The temple has a sprawling lawn on its northern side. There are two huge gateways that
give access to the temple compound. The interior of the temple has ornately sculpted
columns. An empty pedestal with three holes signifies that the temple once had idols of
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. There is a smaller shrine inside the temple complex with similar
epic wall carvings.