Hampi excavations reveal remains of Vijayanagara-era Vishnu and Shiva temples

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed the structural remains of two ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva during ongoing excavations near the historic Jain Temple complex at Hampi in Karnataka.

The discoveries are expected to shed light on regional planning, settlement patterns and the religious and cultural life of the Vijayanagara Empire.

“The excavations brought to light the remains of two temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, along with several sculptural remains and architectural elements”, the ASI stated.

Vishnu temple features distinctive Vijayanagara architecture

The newly discovered Vishnu shrine is a partially subterranean dwikuta (two-shrined) temple complex, built in the traditional Vijayanagara architectural style.

The structure was constructed using large dressed granite slabs laid in dry-stone masonry. Its features, many of which remain well preserved, include a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), a sunken entrance corridor known as an ardhamandapa, a decorative moulded basement or adhishthana, lime flooring, heavy supporting beams and stone seating platforms.

High-relief dvarapalas (guardian figures) flank the entrance axis at the base of the door jambs. Although the brick-built shikhara (vimana) has not survived, the temple’s foundational walls, stone lintels and door jambs remain largely intact.

The excavation also yielded several sculptural artefacts. These include a headless, kneeling winged figure resembling Garuda, relief carvings of Nagadevi and Nagadeva, two Naga sculptures depicting coiled and intertwined serpents, and a standing stone image of Lord Vishnu, known as a Sthanaka Murti.

Granite Shiva temple and sculptural remains found

Alongside the Vishnu shrine, archaeologists uncovered the foundational remains of a granite temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The structure is distinguished by a raised, moulded plinth and a central interior chamber. Pillars found at the site feature prominent sculptural motifs, including Varaha, the sacred boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Excavation site near Hampi’s oldest Jain shrine

The excavation site is located near the Ganagitti Temple, regarded as the oldest Jain shrine at Hampi and dating back to 1386 AD.

The temple was built during the reign of Vijayanagara ruler Bukkaraya II by his minister Iruguppa Dandanayaka, also known as Iruga. It is dedicated to Lord Kunthunatha, the 17th Tirthankara of Jainism.

According to Jain scriptures, Kunthunatha was born into the Ikshvaku dynasty in Hastinapur to King Surya (Sura) and Queen Shridevi. He attained Siddha and Moksha atop Mount Shikharji at the age of 95,000 years.

The latest findings add to the archaeological understanding of Hampi’s religious and cultural landscape during the Vijayanagara period.

(with IANS inputs)

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