HAMPIIII...

LITERATURE STUDY - 1

VITHALA TEMPLE, HAMPI VIJAYANAGAR

Vithala temple is the most exquisitely ornate temple building in Hampi Vijayanagar. It was begun by the emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya in 1513 C.E, but could not be completed owing to its elaborate character.

PLAN

• It stands within a rectangular courtyard of 152 meters long by 95 meters long by 95 meters wide, which is surrounded by cloisters containing triple row of pillars - providing a guided pathway.

• Entrance is made through three gopurams, those on east and south being more important - attracting people to enter.

• There are six separate structures, mostly in the form of pillared halls. The largest is the main temple occupying the center - showing emphasis on special arrangement.

• The central building is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vittala (Panduranga) and is a low structure of one storey averaging 7.5 meters in height and 70 meters in length aligned from east to west.

It consists of the following three compartments.

• Ardha-mandapa or open pillared portico in the front.

• Mandapa or closed Assembly hall in the middle.

• Garbha-griha or sanctuary in the rear.

ARDHA-MANDAPA OR OPEN PILLARED PORTICO

This south view of the entrance porch illustrates some of the original splendor of the building. One thing to notice here is the Chinese-style "S"- curved roof, which contains stone loops at the corners (underneath the tips of the eves) for the insertion of flagpoles. Three such loops are visible here, one at the upper left corner and two at the upper right of the photo.

• The compartment which first attracts is Ardha-mandapa or a columned pavilion measuring 30 metres side with deeply recessed sides - showing consideration towards thermal comfort of the users.  

• This stands on a molded plinth, 1.5 metres high with flights of steps elephant guarded on its three free sides - emphasis of the premises by increasing the elevation of the most important place.  

• The whole is heavily shadowed by means of an immensely wide eave and above the parapet raises an irregular outline of brickwork turrets - relief from the harsh external features like sun, rain, etc.  

MANDAPA OR CLOSED ASSEMBLY HALL

• The chief feature of this columned hall is its range of pillars, 56 in numbers each 3.6 metres in height - letting visual connection from the exteriors.  

• Each pier comprises an entire sculpted group, being fashioned out of one large block of granite - letting people to indulge with the architecture itself.  

• Cluster of delicately shaped columns form the central portion of these broad supports, while interposed between them is the rearing animal motif, half natural half mythical but wholly rhythmic - strictly following harmonics. 

• This cluster design is united with a single capital above and a molded pedestal or base below.  

• Over these piers are bracket supports of large size combined with profusely carved entablatures and above all a flat ceiling ornamented with sunken lotus flowers.

DRUMMER 

This drummer is one of the statues that graces the "hall of music" inside the temple.

Apparently the colonettes, when lightly tapped by a wooden stick, produce "musical" tones - setting the mood of playfulness and aiding in leaving their normal lives behind.

GARBHA-GRIHA OR SANCTUARY

• The mandapa and sanctuary combined is a rectangle of 41 metres long and 21 metres wide.  

• This is entered from east.  In addition it has two side entrances each having steps and porch.  

• Least amount of ornamentation and light.  

• At the other end is the Garbhagriha measuring externally 23 metres side.