Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi is an important shrine. This small but beautiful temple is located at the centre of the royal area. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, a Hindu deity. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. The temple is famous for the lovely bas relics and panels depicting the story of the epic Ramayana.
Quick Facts
- Timing: Open on all days of the week from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: No entry fee needed
- Photography: Allowed
- Restriction: Smoking or defacing the walls is not allowed
- Time Required: 2 hours
- Best time to visit: From November to February
History of Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi
Hazara Rama Temple was built in the early part of the 15th century by the then king of Vijayanagara, Devaraya II. It was originally built as a simple structure. It consisted of only a sanctum, a pillared hall and an ardha mantapa. Later the temple structure was renovated to add an open porch and beautiful pillars.
The uniqueness of Hazara Rama Temple
The Hazara Rama Temple is a unique temple in many aspects. The first thing that draws attention to the temple is its name. The term ‘Hazara Rama’ literally means a thousand Rama and refers to the multitude of relics depicting the reigning deity of the temple.
The walls of the temple carry the story of Ramayana carved on stone. The temple’s outer walls are decorated with bas-relics of Rama and Krishna.
The relics also portray processions of horses, elephants, attendants, soldiers and dancing women taking part in the Dasara festival rally at that time. The relics are among the most extensive ones to be found anywhere in India.
The beautiful structure of Hazara Rama Temple
The temple has a sprawling lawn on its northern side. There are two huge gateways that give access to the temple compound. The interior of the temple has ornately sculpted columns. An empty pedestal with three holes signifies that the temple once had idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. There is a smaller shrine inside the temple complex with similar epic wall carvings.
The only addition is that there are depictions of Lord Vishnu also on the walls of this shrine. The temple stands as an example of the excellent craftsmanship of Vijayanagara’s sculptors.
How to reach Pattabhirama Temple
Hazara Rama Temple is located in the Royal Enclosure of Hampi. It is a place that no visitor generally misses on their Hampi trail.
By Air
The easiest way to reach Hampi by air is to take a flight to the nearest airport at Bellary, situated at a distance of about 974 km. The airports at Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km) are other options to reach Hampi by air. There are other modes of transport to reach Hampi from these places.
By Rail
The nearest station to reach Hampi by rail is located at Hospet. Hampi can be easily reached from Hospet’s frequent buses that ply between the two towns. There are other local means of transport to reach Hampi from Hospet.
By Road
Hampi is connected to several towns and cities by the road network. Several buses connect Hampi to the nearby places. Private cars and vehicles can be hired from Bangalore or Mysore to reach Hampi.
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