History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal, Karnataka, India
Virupaksha Temple, one of the largest and famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is located to south of Mallikarjun Temple in Pattadakal, the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient group of monuments. Pattadakal is also known as different name like Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura or Pattada Kisuvolal is located on bank of river Malaprabha, in Bagalkot district of Karnataka and at just at 10 km from Aihole and 23 km from Badami. Virupaksha temple is architecture marvel here at Pattadakal. The group of monuments represent the harmonious combination of architectural style of northern and southern India. Pattadakal is the site of ancient temple of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist dated back to 7th - 9th century where several majestic temples were built mainly during the Chalukya rule. From the time of Chalukya Dynasty, it holds spiritual, cultural and rich heritage values since more than 1400 years. Pattadakal is famed for its Dravidian Style temple, Nagara Style Temple and few are combined architecture and always of interest point for archaeologists, history and architecture lover. Here thousands of tourist visit throughout the year and especially during the several festival. Currently it is protest site and managed by Archaeological Survey of India.
The Virupaksha temple was built by Loka Mahadevi, wife of King Vikramaditya II in year 745 AD after the successful win over the Pallavas of Kancheepuram. The Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and only functioning temple among all the other shrine here at Pattadkal. The square-shaped sanctum sanctorum of temple where shivalinga is placed. Virupaksha temple is also known as the Lokeshwara, name after the queen Lokamahadevi. The lot of discussion happen over the time period and construction of the Kanchi Kailashnath temple Virupaksha temple of Pattadakal. The architecture and looks of both temple are alike and influenced by each other. It is also believed that the world famous Kailasa Temple at Ellora was built on the model of the Virupaksha Temple.
Temple has a vast courtyard surrounded by small shrines. It has a massive entrance gateway or Raja Gopuaram in east and a small gate behind in west site. At the entrance is a Nandimantapa supported by large pillars with black stone monolithic Nandi the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The temple complex is set inside the rectangular walled enclosed along with several shrine. The great hall of the temple has a roof that rests on 16 massive square columns arranged in 4 rows. Every wall, pillars, panels and columns have excellently carving from the Puranas and several great epic. This temple is three-storied and topped by a four-sided amalaka with a kalash at its finial.
You can see the sculptures of Harihara, Narasimha, Bhairava, Lakulisha, Brahma, Durga, Saraswati etc. on sanctum walls. Inside the temple you can also observe the depicting stories of the abduction of Mata Sita from Ramayana period, Hanuman carrying Sanjivani hill, Gajendra moksha, Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows of Mahabharata time and Krishna lifting the Govardhan Mountain, one the main baal lila of Lord Krishna.
The best time to visit Virupaksha temple is from October to March and during festivals like Virupaksha Car festival an important festival celebrated here. There are several other festivals celebrated at this temple are Maha Shivaratri, Deepavali, Makar Sankranti, Navratri and Sri Rama Navami.
There are lot is interesting and important monuments in Pattadakal along with Virupaksha Temple, these are Mallikararjuna Temple, Chandra Shekhara Temple, Jain Narayana Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Jambulingeshwara Temple, Galaganath Temple, Papanath Temple, Sangameshwar Temple etc. Also you can plan to visit Badami and Aihole during your visit to Pattadakal.
How to Reach Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal, UNESCO World Heritage Site near Badami and Aihole, Karnataka, India
As Pattadakal is one of the important historical and religious side near Badami and Pattadakal in Bagalkot district in state of Karnataka and home to several majestic ancient temple. Thus, it is easily accessible via road, rail and air network. Badami has major railway station which is around 22 km Pattadakal from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. The nearest airport from Pattadakal are Hubli Airport at 144 km and Belgaum Airport at 180 km away. There are regular flights to Belgaum from all major cities in the country. Pattadakal is located at just 22 km from Badami, 13 km from Aihole, 46 km from Bagalkot and 135 km from Hampi.
