When the Vijayanagara capital was sacked after the Battle of Talikota in 1565, most of the city fell into ruin. The Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to Shiva, continued in worship and remains the spiritual centre of Hampi today.
The temple and the bazaar
The temple's tall eastern gateway looks down the length of Hampi Bazaar, a long colonnaded street that once held markets. In the early morning the view along the street, with the hills behind, is one of the most memorable in Hampi.
Beside the river
The temple stands near the Tungabhadra, and a short walk brings you to the riverbank and its bathing ghats.
