Badavilinga Temple is a wonderful temple in Hampi dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Hindu deity Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Linga in this temple. The Badavilinga temple is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. Tourists as well as devotees flock to the temple throughout the year.
Quick Facts
- Timing: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM on all days of the week
- Entry Fee: No entry fee required
- Photography: Allowed
- Visit Duration: About 1 ½ hours
- Best time to visit: From November to February
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Significance of Badavilinga Temple, Hampi
The Badavilinga Temple in Hampi has the largest monolithic Shiva Linga in Hampi. The Shiva Linga has a three eye mark drawn on it in line carving. The three eye mark depicts the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
The beautiful Linga is made of black stone. It has a height of 3 meters. It is believed that the temple has been in existence since the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. Devotees come here from far and near to worship the Shiva Linga.
Legend Associated with Badavilinga Temple, Hampi
The name Badavilinga is a combination of two words – Badva and Linga. In the local language Badva means poor and Linga represents Shiva. Legend has it that the Shiva Linga placed inside the temple was commissioned by a poverty-stricken peasant woman. Hence the temple came to be known as Badavilinga Temple.
Interesting Facts about Badavilinga Temple, Hampi
The huge Shiva Linga of the Badavilinga Temple is situated inside a small stone chamber. There is a single opening in front of the chamber through which devotees can get in. An interesting thing to note about the design of the stone chamber is that it has no ceiling. During the day time, sunlight enters through the opening in the ceiling and floods the Shiva Linga with light.
The Shiva Linga has a large pedestal that is circular in shape. It is the yone pitha of the Shiva Linga. This circular pedestal draws into an outlet, also known as pranala. The pedestal of the Shiva Linga stands on a bed of water. This is due to the fact that the shrine always remains filled with water as a water channel flows through it.
According to devotees, the base of the Shiva Lingam is submerged in water as it depicts the arrival of the holy river Ganges on earth and its flow is controlled by Lord Shiva.
Present condition of Badavilinga Temple, Hampi
The Badavilinga Temple is a shrine that has not escaped the destruction that had befallen Hampi several centuries ago. However, the good part is that the Shiva Linga stands intact even today. The inner walls of the shrine, surrounding the Shiva Linga, have also escaped any severe damage.
Though the temple is a small and simple structure, it is a fascinating place to visit and have a look at the large Shiva Linga.
The story of K.N. Krishna Bhat – The Priest Of Hampi
Late K N Krishna Bhat was the picture of perseverance. The pandit recently passed away after spending the last 40 years worshiping the famous Narasimha idol in Hampi. His duties are now being carried out by his son, Raghava.
Krishna Bhat was born in 1935 and grew up in Kasaravalli. He went on to receive vaidik education at Sringeri’s Sharada Peetha. While he pursued priesthood, he also simultaneously ran a grocery shop.
In 1979, Krishna Bhat moved from the Teerthahalli taluk of Shivamogga to Hampi. He took over the reins of pooja at a Narasimha Temple from Lakshmi Narayan Bayar. He also served as a temporary priest at the Virupaksha Temple and other nearby areas.
The man was known to be independent in every sense of the word. He would start his day walking to the temple at day break and perform the Pooja and Abhisheka to the linga. He believed in making as much as he could – his coffee as well as his janivara, on his own.
As per this article, for his services, he was paid a salary of Rs 300 per month and 25 kg of rice. This fee hasn’t changed in 1986. The temple is seen as a monument and not a ‘living temple’ which limits the salaries and support that may be offered. There is no state or central government support currently being offered. In fact, for the past two years, the priests have been spending their own money to meet daily pooja needs.
Krishna Bhat’s duties have now been taken over by his son, Raghava. Raghava is a tourist guide and fluent in French and Italian but for now, Kannada and Sanskrit are the languages he works with.
Well-wishers who want to support the priest and his efforts to look after the temple may make donations here:
- Name: Raghava K
- Bank: Canara Bank
- Branch: Hampi – Kaddirampur
- IFSC: CNRB0001187
- A/C: 1187101004136
How to reach Badavilinga Temple
Hampi is a renowned tourist destination. There are several ways to reach Hampi from various parts of Karnataka and beyond. Once a visitor reaches Hampi, he or she can arrive at the Badavilinga Temple without much difficulty as it is easily accessible.
By Air
Hampi is a ruined village that does not have an airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the closest town that has an airport. Ballary is located at a distance of around 64 km from Hampi. Visitors can reach Ballari by taking a flight o the small town and then travel to Hampi by means of local transport.
By Rail
Hampi does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is situated in the city of Hosapete (Hospet) that has the Hospet Junction Railway Station. Hosapete stands at a distance of around 10 km from Hampi. One of the easiest ways to reach Hampi from Hosapete is to take a bus. A few means of local transport also exists and visitors can avail them to reach Hampi from Hosapete.
By Road
Hampi has a good road network and is well-connected to many towns and cities with the help of this network. Several KSRTC buses travel between Hampi and other towns and cities in Karnataka. Visitors have the option to reach Hampi by bus or by hiring private cars, cabs or other vehicles from the major cities like Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mysuru (Mysore).
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