History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Achyutaraya Temple, Hampi, Karnataka, India
Achyuta Raya Temple, located in Hampi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in state of Karnataka, India is one of the major and magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. It is believed that this temple was the last constructed temple of Vijayanagar Empire before it declines. The majestic Achyuta Raya temple showcase the excellent understanding of carving and temple architecture of Vijayanagar rule. The temple was built during the ruler of king Achyut Ray of Vijaynagar dynasty thus became popular as Achyutraya temple which was earlier known as Tiruvengalanatha temple. He came to power by succeeding his elder brother Krishna Deva Raya in the year of 1529. The stunning and heavenly temple is located at the foot of the Matanga hill immediate to the west. On the north side of the temple the big bazaar lies as Mahamandaleshwara under the Vijayanagara king Achyutaraya in the year 1534 AD.
The main temple consists of a Garbhagriha, Sukanasi, an Antarala a Ranga Mantapa and a spacious pillared Maha Mantapa. But most of the part are damaged due to attacks and nature forces over period. Within the complex to the south west of the main temple is the Devi Shrine. This temple depicts Vijayanagara architectural style of temples in its best and most improved form of that time. Thus temple is one of the last dazzling temples that were constructed in the Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, prior to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire. Unfortunately this elegant and striking temple is currently in ruined as continues of the attacks by the monarchs of the bahmani kingdom. The location of the temple is quite isolated and less traveled path. Thus temple is having less tourist compared to other tourist attractions in Hampi.
The towers, pillars and walls of temple campus has exquisite carvings and ornamentation, though most of the part are in damaged condition, but its ruins present the magnificence of temple. The principal shrine of the temple is located in the center of a pair of rectangular concentric enclosures. There are pillared verandas on the interior flanks of the two courtyard walls. The outer walkways are in the state of decay, collapse and disintegration. The temple is distinctly visible from the top of the Matanga hill. It is at the end of an abandoned Cartesian street. The carvings are done on the monolithic blocks of rocks. The statues and sculptures on the pillars reveal themes like Lord Vishnu blessing, Lord Vishnu practicing his flute, the cows watching the scene with interest and infant Krishna dancing with the snake holding it by the tail etc. There is Kalyana mandapa in temple campus with large structure and lots of pillars. You can see beautifully carved elephants in basement of Mandapa also. The basement of the mandapa has beautiful carvings of elephants. Episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata are carved on pillars. Along with mains shrine, there are other temple of Garuda and Devi built near temple.
How to Reach Hampi, The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Karnataka, India
Achyuta Raya Temple can be reached in two way, one is from Kodanda Rama Temple through the Courtesan Street and second one by climbing the Matanga Hill using the steps beside the Monolithic Nandi at the opposite end of the Virupaksha Bazaar. As Hampi is major tourist destination of Karnataka and UNESCO world heritage site, it is easily reachable via road, rail and air network. Nearest railway station from Hampi is at 13 km in Hospet from where you can get train to all major station of India. From Hospet, you can get private vehicle to reach Hampi. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. You can reach here via air connectivity easily as there are couple airport near Hampi. Vidyanagar at 30 Km, Bellary airport at 60, Hubli at 143 km.
