Prasanna Virupaksha (Underground Siva) temple in Hampi

On day 2, after the bhojanshala and the octagonal water fountain, Shivraj lead us to the Underground Siva temple (detailed description).

The temple has been buried for over four hundred years and discovered in the 80s. Krishnadevraya has donated extensively to this temple and its proximity to ruins of the nearby residential buildings (Nobleman's quarters) helps advance the theory that this temple was used by the kings household for private ceremonies

Simple and austere, the temple is flooded with water seeping from nearby fields and has not been maintained.

The plan of this temple replicates the Virupakha tirtha extensively. Very similar to the <triple shrined temples on Hemakuta, the plan has a cruciform with square shrines looking into the center. The building has a spacious courtyard surrounded by an enclosure wall. The temple has many palace like features and is a great example of the Vijayanagar residential palace style.

 

 

Iconography - left to right

A cow drinking milk of a linga, A patient shepherd, a gymnast, a local deity with a very Egyptian looking headdress and a sadhu with a very fancy hairstyle