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Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA
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Above image: East facing Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, Bellary district, KA was built in early 16th century CE by Vijayanagara king Sri Krishna Devaraya with 2 entrance gopurams on the east and south. In the rock terrain strewn with numerous boulders, the images of the deities are meticulously carved on the face of massive boulder. Located on a mountain on Kampli Road this temple is carved out of a single large boulder. In the garbhagriha - sanctum there are relief sculptures
of Ram and Sita along with a kneeling Hanuman and standing Lakshman ........  |
| Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA touringwithpk.com/ |
The cave temple built around the boulder has a small shikhara / vimana atop the boulder. Rich in classical Vijayanagar style of architecture, the enclosure has two halls supported by richly decorated tall pillars along with carved sculptures; one of the halls served as a venue for wedding ceremony. Also included are large courtyard and prakara around the temple. It is said both Rama and Lakshmana stayed in the cave during the monsoon season while in search of goddess Sita, hence the speciality here is Sri Rama Charita Manas is being recited dawn to dusk everyday here.
Legend has it both Rama and Lakshmana came to this place in search of Rama's consort Sita who had been abducted by demon King Ravana of Lanka. and held hostage in that country. After the coronation of monkey king Sugriva, both of them stayed here till the monsoon period was over. It was here God Rama had sent his trusted friend Hanuman as a messenger with his wedding ring to see Sita in Lanka. Hanuman met with Sita in the Ashokavana there and later met with king Ravana and asked him to free Sita and if not he had to face severe consequences. It was on this hill Hanuman convoyed his successful mission to Lanka and his meeting with sita.
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| Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA |
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| Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA hampi.tourismindia.co.in |
The Malyavanta Raghunatha temple in the hilly place of Hampi complex site close to the Tungabhadra river and Kamalapur is a unique one intertwined with the epic Ramayana. Hastagiri Ranganatha, Kodanda Rama temples, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple & also Badavilinga Temple - the Krishna Temple are nearby places of worship. The latter was built in 1513 soon after Krishna Deva Raya won the battle in Orissa(Odisha); The Bala Krishna idol in the sanctum was brought here from Udayagiri.
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| Malyavanta Temple, Hampi, KA hampi.in |
Behind the Malyavanta Temple one can see numerous relief sculptures of Shiva Lingam and Nandi carved carefully on the rocky ground and also a small Shiva temple as well which can be accessed through the door on the western wall of Malyavanta Temple . The series of carved nandis and Shivas are well planned chiseled carefully and are more or less in alignment all along with borders on all sides. Apart, from the hilltop Hampi town comes into view here.
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| Malyavanta temple, Shiva lingams and Nandis touringwithpk.com |
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| Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA ravel.bhushavali.com |
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Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA ravel.bhushavali.com
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| Malyavanta Raghunatha temple, Hampi, KA.newindianexpress.com |
Above image: This temple under the ASI is among the ones marred by encroachment and disfigurement and the ASI expressed their helplessness in their attempt to remove them because the encroachers who literally live there have political connection and claim that they have legal rights granted by the Delhi court. Historians say concerted efforts are needed to get rid of them as they are damaging the . This problem remains unsolved in the past one decade. .
https://travel.bhushavali.com/2017/04/hampi-riverside-ruins-other-temples.html
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/dec/11/encroachers-make-6-temples-their-home-asi-pleads-helplessness-2074445.html
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