Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple gets its name from the image of Hanuman placed inside an amulet. The position of Hanuman is different from any other image of Lord Hanuman that can be found in Hampi. This temple is the second most important shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Hampi.
Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple. Image courtesy Daniel Hauptstein
Quick Facts Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
- Main Deity: Lord Hanuman
- Best time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: Morning and evening
- Entry Fee: Free
History of the Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
According to some legends, this temple is built on the place where Hanuman and Lord Ram met for the first time. Others believe that Sri Vyasaraja used to pray to Lord Hanuman in this place by drawing an image of Lord Hanuman on the rocks.
By the time he finished his prayers, the picture would have disappeared. When this happened for 12 days in a row, he pleaded with Lord Hanuman to appear before him. When the Lord appeared, he asked Sri Vyasaraja to constrain him in a six-sided amulet and build a temple in the area.
The Temple Architecture
The Anjaneya Temple is located on a hill on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The inner sanctum contains an image of Lord Hanuman enclosed within a hexagonal amulet. Hanuman has been pictured in a meditative state. This is a marked deviation from other depictions of Lord Hanuman.
In Hampi, most depictions of Lord Hanuman show him standing with one hand raised and the other on his hip. It is only in this temple that Hanuman appears in a prayer position. In this image, Lord Hanuman’s crown has been formed by his tail.
12 monkeys have been carved around this amulet. They represent the 12 days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Lord Hanuman. Each monkey holds the tail of the monkey in front of him but is facing backward. Seed syllables have also been carved around the amulet.
Other Things to See
Within the temple is another small temple devoted to Lord Ram. This lends credibility to the legend of Hanuman having met Lord Ram at this place.
Just ahead of the temple is a fig tree. At the foot of this tree are a number of snake-stones which are sued as places of snake worship.
A short climb ahead of the Temple is another small temple dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
How to Reach Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
By Air
Bellary, the closest airport to Hampi is at a distance of 64km. Taxis, buses and hired cars ply regularly between the airport and Hampi
By Rail
Hosapete is the closest railway station to Hampi. This is at a distance of 10 km and can be reached by car, taxi or bus.
By Road
Hampi is well connected by roads. You may drive down in your own car, a hired taxi or by bus.
Also See
- Top 5 Things to Do in Hampi
- Top 15 sites in Hampi to visit
- 10 Less Known Facts about Hampi
- Akka Tangi Gudda – A Wonder Formed by Rock
- Ancient Bridge, Hampi
- Chakratirtha – The Sacred Swirl of Water
- Dasara Dibba or Mahanavami Dibba
- Domed Gateway, Hampi
- Elephant Stable, shelter for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire
- Gejjala Mantapa
- Granaries – Remnants of Ancient Storages
- Hampi Festival
- Hampi Bazaar
- Hotels in Hampi
- King’s Audience Hall
- King’s Balance
- Kuduregombe Mantapa
- Temples
- Rock Climbing
- Pan Supari Bazaar
- Pushkaranis – The Sacred Water Tanks of the Ancient Times
- Royal Enclosure – The Ruined Grandeur of Royalty
- Queen’s Bath
- Tenali Rama Pavilion
- Vira Harihara Palace
- Vittala Temple