π Topic 04 of 6 Β· Chapter 09 Β· Vijayanagara & Bahmani
Vijayanagara Art & Architecture β Hampi
Hampi monuments, Vittala temple, Hazara Rama temple, Virupaksha temple, Dravidian architecture.
ποΈ Vijayanagara Architecture β Features
Vijayanagara architecture is a development of the Dravidian (South Indian) style with some new features:
- Tall gopurams (gateway towers) β covered with sculptures
- Mandapas (pillared halls) β for assembly and worship
- Kalyana mandapas β marriage halls with ornate pillars
- Musical pillars β pillars that produce musical notes when tapped
- Stone chariots β carved from single rock
- Blend of Dravidian and Islamic architectural elements
ποΈ Major Monuments at Hampi
| Monument | Builder | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Vittala Temple | Krishnadevaraya | Famous for musical pillars and stone chariot; finest Vijayanagara architecture |
| Hazara Rama Temple | Krishnadevaraya | Walls covered with Ramayana scenes; royal chapel |
| Virupaksha Temple | Various rulers | Dedicated to Shiva; still active; oldest temple at Hampi; tall gopuram |
| Lotus Mahal | Krishnadevaraya | Indo-Islamic architecture; women’s quarters; lotus-shaped arches |
| Elephant Stables | Krishnadevaraya | 11 chambers for royal elephants; Indo-Islamic style |
| Ugra Narasimha | Krishnadevaraya | Monolithic statue of Narasimha (Vishnu avatar); 6.7m tall |
| Queen’s Bath | β | Royal bathing complex; Indo-Islamic style |
β Vittala Temple: The Vittala Temple is the finest example of Vijayanagara architecture. Its musical pillars produce musical notes (sa, re, ga, ma…) when tapped. The stone chariot in the courtyard is one of the most photographed monuments in India. The temple was built during Krishnadevaraya’s reign and is dedicated to Vittala (a form of Vishnu).
π¨ Vijayanagara Painting
- Vijayanagara period saw development of Vijayanagara painting style
- Paintings found in temples β Lepakshi (Andhra Pradesh), Hampi
- Lepakshi temple (Andhra Pradesh) β famous for Vijayanagara murals; also has a large Nandi statue
- Themes: Hindu mythology, Ramayana, Mahabharata scenes
π Vijayanagara Literature
- Telugu literature β golden age under Krishnadevaraya; Ashtadiggajas
- Kannada literature β Kumara Vyasa wrote Gadugina Bharata
- Sanskrit literature β Sayana wrote commentaries on Vedas
- Tamil literature β Vijayanagara patronised Tamil poets
π Exam Tip:
β’ Vittala Temple = musical pillars + stone chariot = Krishnadevaraya = Hampi
β’ Hazara Rama Temple = Ramayana scenes on walls = royal chapel
β’ Virupaksha Temple = still active = dedicated to Shiva = oldest at Hampi
β’ Lotus Mahal = Indo-Islamic style = women’s quarters
β’ Hampi = UNESCO World Heritage Site = Karnataka = Tungabhadra river
β’ Vittala Temple = musical pillars + stone chariot = Krishnadevaraya = Hampi
β’ Hazara Rama Temple = Ramayana scenes on walls = royal chapel
β’ Virupaksha Temple = still active = dedicated to Shiva = oldest at Hampi
β’ Lotus Mahal = Indo-Islamic style = women’s quarters
β’ Hampi = UNESCO World Heritage Site = Karnataka = Tungabhadra river