The Vittala (Vitthala) Temple is the showpiece of Hampi, the ruined capital of the Vijayanagara empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands a little over 3 km north-east of the Virupaksha Temple, close to the banks of the Tungabhadra river, in a landscape of piled granite boulders.
Its courtyard holds the stone chariot – a Garuda shrine carved in the form of a temple car – which has become the symbol of Hampi and appears on the back of India’s ₹50 note. Around it are some of the most elaborately carved halls anywhere in the Vijayanagara city.
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History
Hampi, then called Vijayanagara, was the capital of the empire from 1336 to 1565 and by 1500 was among the largest and richest cities in the world. Scholars are not certain exactly when the Vittala Temple was built. Most date the main phase to the early-to-mid 16th century; some accounts say work began under Devaraya II in the 15th century and continued under Krishnadevaraya, Achyutaraya and later kings. Inscriptions name many donors, men and women.
The temple is dedicated to Vitthala, a form of Krishna (also known as Vithoba). Work stopped in 1565, when a coalition of Deccan sultanates defeated Vijayanagara at the Battle of Talikota and the city was looted and burned for months. Hampi was abandoned and the Vittala complex has never been a working temple since. The Group of Monuments at Hampi was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
What to see
- Stone chariot: a shrine to Garuda, Vishnu’s eagle mount, built to look like a processional chariot, with carved wheels and elephants in front. A tower that once stood on top was removed in the 1940s.
- Maha mandapa and musical pillars: the main hall in front of the sanctum has 56 carved stone pillars that were said to produce musical tones when struck. To protect them, at the time of writing visitors are not allowed to tap the pillars, and parts of the hall may be cordoned off.
- Kalyana mandapa and 100-pillared hall: halls around the courtyard with finely carved pillars of rearing mythical beasts, dancers and musicians.
- Gopurams: the main eastern gateway and side gateways, partly ruined, leading into the walled courtyard of about 1.3 hectares.
- Vittala bazaar: a colonnaded market street almost a kilometre long, stretching east from the temple – now in ruins, but easy to picture as a busy pilgrimage market.
Getting there and timings
Private vehicles are not allowed right up to the temple. Your car stops at the parking area and you continue by battery-operated vehicle or on foot for the last couple of kilometres. At the time of writing, the complex is open daily from about 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Entry is by Archaeological Survey of India ticket, bought at the counter or online, with different rates for Indian and foreign visitors; children under 15 enter free. Fees and hours change, so check with the Archaeological Survey of India or locally before you go.
Tips
- Beat the crowds and heat: arrive at opening time. The granite reflects heat and there is little shade by midday.
- Hire a guide: licensed guides are available at the site and bring the carvings and stories to life.
- Wear good shoes: the ground is uneven stone and gravel.
- Carry water and a hat: especially from March to June.
- Walk back by the river: the riverside path between the Vittala and Virupaksha areas passes more ruins – allow time and go with a guide.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Hampi is roughly 650 km from Pondicherry by road – a full day’s drive – so plan at least two nights in Hampi or nearby Hosapete, 13 km away. Our Hampi heritage tour covers the Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, the royal centre and the riverside with a car and driver from Pondicherry. See the heritage page for more. Interstate permit charges apply for Tamil Nadu cars entering Karnataka.
Official information: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)
Frequently asked questions
Can you still play the musical pillars at Vittala Temple?
No. To protect them, at the time of writing visitors are not allowed to tap the pillars, and parts of the hall may be cordoned off.
What are the Vittala Temple timings?
At the time of writing, the complex is open daily from about 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Check locally before you go.
Is the Hampi stone chariot on a currency note?
Yes. The stone chariot of the Vittala Temple appears on the back of India’s ₹50 note.
Who built the Vittala Temple in Hampi?
It was built by the Vijayanagara kings, mostly in the early-to-mid 16th century. Some accounts say work began under Devaraya II and continued under Krishnadevaraya and his successors until 1565.