Virupaksha Temple Collapse: Key Updates

May 27, 2024

Rainfall caused the saalu mantap (pavilion) at the Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka’s Hampi to collapse on May 21. Despite saying that repair work was already underway, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said that this event made people worry about their efforts to protect the site.

Historical Background

Although the Virupaksha Temple in the ruins of Hampi goes back to the 7th century, it became very famous during the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. During the Sangama dynasty, the temple grew a lot and became a focal point for religious and cultural events. Massive gopurams, intricate carvings, and the centre sanctum with a Shiva lingam make it a great example of Dravidian architecture.

Significance of the Temple

It was an important part of South India’s last great Hindu kingdom. The Virupaksha Temple is both a spiritual centre and a UNESCO-designated historical site as part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi. It is a landmark of the Vijayanagara Empire’s artistic and cultural achievements.

Cause of the Pavilion Collapse

Over time, the pavilion’s stone pillars and base became weaker from being exposed to the elements, especially rain. The recent heavy rains showed that the structure would not last for years as expected, so it needs to be fixed right away.

Challenges in Preservation

The repair process faces big problems with money, getting supplies, and finding skilled workers. The latest gift of Rs 8 crore from the Central government shows how expensive it can be to carry out such large-scale conservation projects. Keeping the temple complex’s heritage and current needs in balance is also hard because people are still worshipping there and people are moving into the area. ASI is still committed to restoring and protecting the Virupaksha Temple, and they plan to do so in a methodical way. Their goal is to fix any recent damage and protect the temple’s cultural history for future generations.

Facts about Virupaksha Temple

Historical Significance and Architecture

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, is one of the oldest temples still in use in India. It was built around the year 700 AD and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Vijayanagara masters in the 14th century made big changes to it and made it bigger.
The temple is famous for its tall gopura and elaborate carvings that show stories from Hindu mythology.

Unique Features and Engineering

The dark room of the temple has a pinhole camera effect that projects an upside-down picture of the main gopura.
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has architecture that has survived earthquakes. This shows how well the builders of Vijayanagara architecture understood locus and joints.
These technical marvels show how advanced the building methods were in the past.

Cultural and Religious Importance

Traditional events, like weddings and the yearly chariot fair, are still celebrated at the Virupaksha Temple, which draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists.
These celebrations keep the temple’s religious and cultural importance alive.
Traditions that still happen at the temple show how important it is to the community.

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