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Virupaksha temple is the main devotional site in Hampi and has been considered the most worshiped temple for centuries. It has been selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. It is located on the Tungabhadra river within the ruins and is still in worship.Virupaksha is a form of lord Shiva and is a 7th century temple of lord Shiva. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi and was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka under the ruler Deva Raya II, of Vijayanagara Empire.
The Virupaksha Pampa sanctuary existed well before the Vijayanagara capital was located here. There are inscriptions of 9th and 10th centuries in the temple referring to lord Shiva. Earlier it was a small temple and later was developed as a large complex in Chalukyan & Hoysala periods and by Vijayanagara rulers which can be seen in evidence of temple inscriptions.In the early 19th century there were renovations and updations of this temple and broken towers of the east gopura were found & restored. The temple is now only preserved and well maintained temple in Hampi.
Virupaksha temple is just 290 m away from the Hampi bus stand. You can reach the temple by walk from bus stand.
Hampi, Karnataka 583239
