The Vittala temple :

• location : Hampi
• The complex is rextangular shape
with dimensions 163m x 94m.
• The area of the temple in this
complex is about 769 sqm.
 • The Vittala temple is built in the Dravidian style
of architecture.
• The temple complex is a sprawling area that is
surrounded by high compound walls and three
towering gateways.
• The temple complex has many halls, shrines and
pavilions located inside it.
• Each of these structures is made of stone and
each structure is a beauty in itself.
• Notable among these structures are :
the shrine of the Goddess
Maha Mantapa or main hall
Raga Mantapa
Kalyana Mantapa
Utsava Mantapa
 Stone Chariot.
PLAN
Gopuram :

• The temple complex has 5 types of

gopurams out of which 1 has
collapsed .
• In these gopurams some features of
the Pandyan style of architectureis
seen which was developed during
the rule of Pandyas.
The Maha Mandapa :

• The Maha Mantapa or main hall of the Vittala Temple is

situated in the inner courtyard of the temple complex.
• It has a star shaped plan.
• It is a structure of immense beauty and is situated on a
highly ornate base.
• The Maha Mantapa comprises of four smaller halls.
• The steps on the eastern side of the Maha Mantapa are
decorated with elephant balustrade.

The maha mandapa

and the raga mandapa
has
loops (formed by
snake carvings) on the
granite roof .
This mandapa too has the Kodungai (terracotta roof
These loops are
speculated to have
simulation). 
chains made out of
stone .
Features of maha mandapa :
1. Plinth or the base of mandapa :
• Here the base of the temple consists of series of mouldings .
• It is termed as Pitha .
• Mouldings do not exist as edgings in pitha .
• Here in the pitha mouldings are subdivided into two separate
courses named as adisthana at base and pada next to it .
• A frieze on the base of the mandapa shows men from foreign
countries who visited Vijayanagara for horse trade
2. The ceiling :

• The ceiling of the Maha Mantapa is a richly designed structure.

• It has some interesting roof carvings composed of rectanges and circles .
• The centre of this mandapa has a lotus dome and at its centre were those inverted parrots
pecking into the pollen . The whole carvings on the cielings are of intreset with lotuses.
 3. The pillars :

• There are forty pillars lining the facade of the temple.

• Each of these pillars has a height of 10 feet.
• The central part of the Maha Mantapa has sixteen
intricately decorated pillars having beautiful
sculptures of Narasimha and Yali.
• These set of sixteen pillars forms a rectangular court.
The grandiose of the Pushpa
Podhigai (floral bud detail on the
pillar corbels) is very beautiful.
The stone chariot : • The Stone Chariot or Ratha stands in the courtyard of
temple.
• The chariot has a flat granite roof.
• It originally had a brick Shikara atop the flat roof which
has fallen over time.
• The wheels were actually movable
• Originally there were 2 horses in front of it, to show as
if they're pulling the chariot, of whose only the hind
legs and tail are visible today.
• There are two elephants also.
•  Inside the chariot is a relief of Garuda .
• Around the Chariot are multiple pillars, relief
sculptures etc very similar to a real wooden chariot .

In the hidden spots of the

chariot are frescoes.
Whichever places were
not really susceptible to
rain and shine, the
frescoes still survived to
some extent, esp the reds
and yellows.
The Raga mandapa :
The cluster of musical pillars inside the Vittala Temple
complex was carved out of huge single pieces of resonant
stone.
• The large mantapa is renowned for its 56
musical pillars.
• These musical pillars are also known as
SAREGAMA pillars, indicating the
musical notes emitted by them.
• The musical notes and emanated when the
pillars are tapped gently.
• There are a set of main pillars and several sets
of minor pillars inside the Mantapa.
• Each main pillar provides support to the
ceiling of the Ranga Mantapa.
• The main pillars are designed as musical
instruments.
• Every main pillar is surrounded by 7 minor
pillars.
• These 7 pillars emit 7 different
musical notes from the representative musical
instruments.
• The notes emanating from these pillars vary
in sound quality depending on whether the
instrument is a percussion, string or wind
instrument.
Kalyana Mandapa :

• The Kalyana mandapa is one

sculptural marvel.
• Here too is a pillar with all
the 10 reincarnations of
Vishnu depicted.
• The relief sculptures are so
many including Ramayana,
Krishna Leela etc.
• The central pillars have full
sized Yaali and one of it was
is depicted to be ridden by
Krishna Deva Raya himself.