Virupaksha Temple, India

Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi, Karnataka, India, in the Ballari district. It's part of Hampi's Group of Monuments, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva, is honored in this temple. The temple was established by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the Vijayanagara Empire's emperor Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya.

The Vijayanagara empire's capital, Hampi, is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River (Pampa hole/Pampa river). The main center of pilgrimage at Hampi is Virupaksha Temple, which has long been regarded as the most sacred sanctuary. It is still utilized in worship despite being surrounded by ruins. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva as the consort of the local goddess Pampadevi, who is related with the Tungabhadra River and is known as Virupaksha/Pampa pathi. In the village of Nalagamapalle, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, around 100 kilometers from Tirupati, there is also a Virupakshini Amma temple (mother goddess).

Location: Hampi (Pampa Kshetra), India