Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural monument of Hampi in the times of Vijayanagara. No amount of words can explain this magnificent beauty time left us . This temple is situated at the centre of Hampi established. Its elaborate and artistic carvings and magnificent architecture is unmatched by any other structure found in Hampi.
The premises consists of : 1.The shrine of the Goddess (also known as Devi shrine) 2.Maha Mantapa or main hall (also known as Sabha Mantapa or congregation hall) – Situated in the inner courtyard of the temple complex situated on a highly ornate base decorated with carvings of warriors, horses, swans and several other ornamental designs. the temple has around forty pillars at the facade about 10 feet high.The central part has 16 intricately decorated pillars with sculptures of Narasimha(the man-lion incarnation of Vishnu) and Yali forming a rectangular court. The ceiling is a richly designed structure. The temple contains the images of foreigners like Persians selling horses.
3.Ranga Mantapa and Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall) - The ranga mantapa has musical pillars that is the most important feature of the hall. Each of the pillars that support the roof of the main temple is supported by a pillar representing a musical instrument, 7 minor pillars arranged around a main pillar. These 7 pillars, when struck, emanate the 7 notes from the representative instrument, varying in sound quality based on whether it represents a wind, string or percussion instrument. 4.The Stone Chariot - The chariot is built on a rectangular platform of a feet or so high. All around this base platform is carvedwith mythical battle scenes. Though the chariot is not resting on it, the four giant wheels attached mimic the real life ones complete with the axis shafts & the brakes. A series of concentric floral motifs decorate the wheels. There is no concealing the vitality and sheer exuberance of the sculpture, nor the signs that this was done in an age of plenty, with optimism and security writ large.The temple is the venue of the annual Purandaradasa festival.This temple is notable for the vitality of the carving on its outer columns. There is indeed a certain crudeness in its construction, an over-use of stone. This temple shows us immense creativity and architectural excellence possessed by the sculptors and artisans of the Vijayanagara era.
Group of Monuments at Hampi – India