Standing tall on the bank of Tungabhadra river, Virupaksha Temple (also known as the Pampavathi Temple) is right at the center of life in Hampi. Tall towers of the temple are visible from any high point within the city. There is a market right outside, river crossing point on the bank with boats taking you to the hippie side, bus and auto stand at arm’s distance and of course a swarming crowd on the path leading to the temple. We reached the temple by crossing the river from Hippie side.
Click here to read all our blogs for backpacking in India
Road to Virupaksha Temple is really crowded but there is something in the air of Hampi that you do not feel getting sidelined or tired.
Actually outside as well as inside the temple, you feel as if you are at one of your places. Everything at Virupaksha Temple seems to be moving at its own pace yet linked to all people around. There are devotees coming for prayer, foreigner and Indian tourists coming for sight seeing, school children for their picnic and it looked as if temple has ample space to embrace every one.
Temple has wonderful architecture that you will find everyone exploring also appreciating.
There is also an elephant at temple that blesses you if you give him either a note of 10 ruppes 🙂 or bananas to eat. Elephant embraces very cutely when you bow in front of him for blessings.
Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has tall towers visible from any high point of Hampi. You will find many spectacular sites all across the temple which will make you feel as if you have belonged to Hampi since ages. There is love and fun in the air all around at Virupaksha Temple and when you will walk out of the temple complex, you will feel as if either you have left a part back in the temple or you are carrying a part of the temple with you.
How to reach Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
This is the main temple within Hampi and any auto person will take you easily to the temple. If you are on the Hippie side, use boat to cross the river to reach right behind the temple. We reached Virupaksha Temple by crossing the river from Hippie side. There is no bridge and by road, one has to take a detour of 45 kilometers to reach across river. So better is to take a boat and cross the river in 5 minutes and 10 rupees
There are government buses plying from temple to railway station with good frequency. We did not take these buses but saw them leaving all the time from bus stand close to the temple.
Virupaksha Temple Entry Fee
There is nominal entry fee of Rs 2 per person so no worries. You will get the ticket while being in queue to enter the temple complex so no separate buying of the tickets.