Virupaksha Temple
ವಿರೂಪಾಕ್ಷ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Lord Shiva (Virupaksha) · Hampi, Karnataka
✓ VerifiedHeritage★ 4.885,000 reviews15,000 visits
About the temple
Oldest functioning temple in India, core of the Vijayanagara Empire. Liberation, marital harmony, and spiritual awakening.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:00
- Established
- 7
- Best time to visit
- Early morning or sunset
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Virupaksha) · ವಿರೂಪಾಕ್ಷGoddess PampaGoddess BhuvaneshwariGaneshaNandi
- Deity form
- Shiva Linga
- Religious tradition
- Agamic / Smartha
- Sanskrit name
- विरुपाक्ष मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Pampapathi Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00-13:00, 15:00-20:00
- Break timings
- 13:00-15:00
- Special days
- 05:00-21:00 during Mahashivaratri
- Festival timings
- Open late during Shivaratri
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30
- Midday aarti
- 12:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Night aarti
- 19:30
- Special aarti days
- Mondays, Mahashivaratri
- Ritual schedule
- Daily Abhisheka, Archana
- Pooja timings
- 07:00-12:30, 15:30-19:00
- Abhishek timings
- 06:30-08:00
- Special poojas
- Rudrabhisheka, Kalyanotsava
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Vijayanagara Empire
- Architect / builder
- Lakkana Dandesha
- Construction materials
- Granite and Brick
- Historical events
- Crowning of Krishnadevaraya
- Renovations
- Restored by ASI and local trusts
- Archaeological importance
- Central structure of Hampi Group of Monuments
- Legends
- Marriage of Pampa and Virupaksha
- Inscriptions
- Inscriptions of Chalukya, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara kings
- Government recognition
- State Endowment
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 14th Century
- Structure
- Multi-shrine complex with massive courtyards
- Floors
- 9
- Gopuram
- 50-meter high Eastern Gopura with intricate art
- Mandapa
- Ranga Mandapa with animal pillars
- Sculptural features
- Carvings of mythical beasts and daily life
- Artistic elements
- Ceiling paintings in the Ranga Mandapa
- Construction technique
- Interlocking granite blocks without cement
- Unique features
- Inverted pinhole image of the Gopuram on the inner wall
Festivals & events
MahashivaratriPhalgunotsava
- Festival calendar
- Lunar Calendar based
- Special celebration days
- Hampi Utsav
- Cultural events
- Classical Music and Dance festivals
- Annual events
- Annual Rathotsava
- Peak crowd season
- November to February
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- ✓ Photography allowed
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning or sunset
- Parking capacity
- 300 vehicles
- Parking fees
- 50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI
- Prasadam
- Ladoo, Puliogare