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Vithala Temple Hampi
The Vithala Temple is situated on the southern bank of the
Tungabhadra River. The most outstanding of the religious
edifices at Hampi, it can be reached from the west by
walking on from Hampi Bazaar along the riverbank, or from
the east through the Talarigattu Gateway. The ruins of the
temple are a World Heritage monument. It is in a
moderately good state of preservation. The temple's
unimaginable sculptural work is a height of Vijayanagar
Art. The outer pillars are known as the 'Musical Pillars'
as they echo when banged, although this practice is now
discouraged to avoid further dent. The temple also
features a flamboyant stone chariot in the temple
courtyard containing an image of Garuda. The main temple
was dedicated to Vishnu as Vithala. Facing east, the
chamber of the god along with its axial 'mandapa' forms a
long and low structural group, about 7.6 meters in height
and 70 meters in length. The group comprises the open 'maha
mandapa', a closed 'ardha-mandapa' with side-porches and a
covered 'pradakshina-prakara' enclosing the 'antarala' and
'garbha griha'. |
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