- It is the name of the capital city that surrounds modern-day Hampi, of the historic Vijayanagara empire which extended over the southern part of India.
- In around 1500 Vijaynagar had 500,000 inhabitants, probably making it the second largest city in the world after Peking-Beijing and more than twice the size of the biggest European city, Paris.
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| View of the Virupaksha temple complex from Hemakuta hill |
Tourist Places in Vijaya Nagara :
Virupaksha Temple
- This surviving temple and temple complex is the core of the village of Hampi.
- Also known as the Pampapati temple, it predated the empire, and was extended between the 13th and 17th centuries.
Hemakuta Hill
- The hill is situated to the south of Hampi village.
- It bears several small temples that predate the construction of Vijayanagara as the capital of the empire, some being as early as the 10th century.
Krishna Temple
- This is a ruined temple, south of Hampi and Hemakuta hill. It was built by the emperor Krishnadevaraya after military campaigns in Odisha.
- The temple is contained in twin enclosures.
Lakshmi Narasimha
- Also to the south of Hampi is this massive rock cut idol of Narasimha, the fierce aspect of Vishnu, 6.7 m high.
- Originally the idol bore a smaller image of Lakshmi on one knee; this had fallen off, probably due to vandalism.
- The Lakshmi statue is now in the museum at Kamalapuram.
Monolithic Narasimha
- Narasimha is depicted seated on the coils of Shesha.
- Shesha is shown here in a form with seven heads, the heads arching over Narasimha to form a canopy.
- The statue has recently been restored.
Kodandarama Temple
- This is situated to the east of Hampi, near the end of the colonnaded street that leads out from the Virupaksha temple.
- It is in the sacred centre of the city, and by a narrow point of the Tungabhadra river. This temple marks the spot where Rama crowned Sugriva.
- The temple is still in use, and the garbha griha contains statues of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita all carved out a single boulder.
Vittala Temple
- Situated northeast of Hampi, opposite the village of Anegondi, this is one of the principal monuments of the city.
- It is dedicated to Vittala, an aspect of Vishnu worshipped in the Maratha country.
- It is believed to date from the 16th century.