 

***Virupaksha Temple is one of the oldest and most important Shiva temples in South India, located in the historic town of Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra River***. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva, and it has been a continuous place of worship for more than 1,300 years. 

✍️Historical Importance

***The original shrine dates back to around the 7th century CE, long before the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire.*** 

When Hampi became the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, the temple was expanded greatly ***between the 13th–16th centuries.*** 

*Even after the destruction of Hampi in 1565*, the temple survived and worship has continued without interruption. 

**Today it forms part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.** 

🏛️ Architectural Features

Built in classic Dravidian temple architecture.

The main eastern gopuram (tower) is about 50 meters (160 ft) tall with nine tiers

🎉 Major Festivals

Important festivals celebrated here include:

Virupaksha–Pampa Kalyanam (divine marriage) in December

Annual chariot festival (Rathotsava) in February

Mahashivaratri with large pilgrim gatherings 

🔎 A Unique Scientific Feature

Inside the temple’s Ranga Mandapa, a small opening creates a pinhole-camera effect that projects an inverted image of the main gopuram on the wall—an impressive example of ancient optical knowledge.

Virupaksha Mandapam & temple🤲,Hampi .. 🌎unesco Heritage too .. what a amazing infra and pinhole technology!! 💜