हिंदीOn this day
Ruined

Lakshmi Narasimha (Ugra Narasimha) Monolith, Hampi

The largest image at Hampi is a Narasimha 6.7 metres high, cut from one boulder in 1528 and seated on the coils of Shesha with seven hoods above. Lakshmi once sat on his lap; only her hand on his back remains.

Built: 1528 CE, carved from a single boulder in the reign of Krishnadevaraya, by a nearby inscription; damaged in 1565Where: Karnataka (Vijayanagara district, Hampi)Deity: Lakshmi Narasimha, seated in yoga under the hoods of Shesha15.32° N, 76.46° E
  1. 1528 CE
  2. 1565
Photo: Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 4.0

01Krishnadevaraya’s Narasimha

An inscription near the image records that it was made in 1528, in the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the greatest king of Vijayanagara, and consecrated by a priest named Krishnabhatta. Narasimha sits cross-legged in yoga with a band around his knees, his eyes wide, under a hood of seven cobra heads and a torana with a kirtimukha at the top. Lakshmi was carved seated on his left thigh. The image is called Ugra, the fierce, from its staring eyes, though the Lord is shown here calm, with his consort.

02After Talikota

After the battle of Talikota in 1565 the armies of the Deccan Sultanates sacked Vijayanagara for months, and the image was broken: the arms are gone and Lakshmi was cut away, leaving only her hand on the Lord’s back. The Archaeological Survey has since restored the knee band. Next to it stands the Badavilinga, a monolithic Shivling about three metres high standing in water, and the two are seen together.

The life of this place

  1. 1528 CEThe monolith is carved and consecrated, by the nearby inscription.
  2. 1565After Talikota the image is damaged and Lakshmi’s figure broken away.
Visiting

On the road from the Virupaksha temple to the Royal Centre at Hampi, next to the Badavilinga. Part of the Hampi World Heritage Site.

Nearby

Hazara Rama Temple, HampiRuined
Sultanates, Vijayanagara and the kingdoms that stood

Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi

The private temple of the Vijayanagara kings in the royal centre, its walls carved with the Ramayana in long running bands. Hazara Rama means ‘a thousand Ramas’.

Hampi (Vijayanagara)Ruined
Sultanates, Vijayanagara and the kingdoms that stood

Hampi (Vijayanagara)

Vijayanagara, the City of Victory, capital of the empire that held the south for over two centuries. After the defeat at Talikota in January 1565 it was plundered for months and never lived again.

Virupaksha Temple, HampiStanding
Sultanates, Vijayanagara and the kingdoms that stood

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

The family deity of the Vijayanagara kings, who signed their grants ‘Shri Virupaksha’. When the city around it was destroyed in 1565, worship here went on.

Vittala Temple, HampiRuined
Sultanates, Vijayanagara and the kingdoms that stood

Vittala Temple, Hampi

The finest temple of Vijayanagara, with the stone chariot of Garuda in its court and pillars that ring when struck. It has stood empty of worship since 1565.