ORNAMENTATION

The Vittala Temple also known as Shri Vijaya Vittala Temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation
of Lord Vishnu.
Notable among the structures are the shrine of the Goddess (Devi shrine), Maha Mantapa, Sabha
Mantapa (or congregation hall), Ranga Mantapa, Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall), Utsava
Mantapa (festival hall), and the famous Stone Chariot.

STONE CHARIOT • Designed in the shape of an ornamental chariot with the idol
of Garuda, vehicle of Lord Vishnu.

• The structure is classified as a Karakkoil, a temple fashioned

after temple chariots which are taken in procession around
the temple during festivals.

• This shrine was built with blocks of granite. The joints are
cleverly hidden in the carvings and other decorative
features that adorn the stone chariot.

• The chariot was built on a rectangular platform. The base

platform is adorned with mythical battle scenes chiseled
into the granite on all sides.
 • The chariot is adorned with a set of four finely sculptured
granite wheels. A series of concentric floral motifs decorate the
sides of the wheels.

• The wheels of the stone chariot are said to be once functional

and could be rotated by the people.

• In front of the chariot, two elephants are positioned as if they are pulling the
chariot which were brought from elsewhere and positioned here at a later
stage.

• Originally two horses were carved in that position. The tails and the rear
legs of the horses can be still seen just behind these elephant sculptures.

• A broken stone ladder once gave access to the sanctum is kept between the
elephants. 
MAHA MANTAPA
• The Maha Mandapa or main hall of the Vittala Temple is situated in the inner courtyard, bang in the center of
the temple complex just behind the Stone Chariot.
• The Maha-Mantapa contains four open halls within. The south, north and the east ones are still intact. The
central western hall is collapsed, probably due to the arson that followed the fall of the capital.
• The maha mandapa has forty pillars lining the facade each having a height of 10 feet.

• It is a structure of immense beauty, sitting on a

highly ornate base carved with a series of
floral motifs.

• Maha mandap has a pillared hall with three entrances. A

series of steps flanked by elephant balustrades gives
access to this elevated open hall.
• The balustrades on the east and west porch of
this hall is more dramatic with giant
lion Yalis fighting the relatively dwarf
elephants.

Yali is a mythical creature seen in many South Indian temples,

often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part
lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes.
• The central part of the Maha Mandap has sixteen
intricately decorated pillars having beautiful sculptures
of Narasimha and Yali.
Musical Pillars

•  The most outstanding components of the Vittala Temple is

the eastern pavilion of the Maha Mantapa.
It was originally called Dolotsava Mantapa or
“Hall of Music Pillars”.

• This is renowned for its 56 musical pillars carved out of

huge single pieces of resonant stone. This cluster of
musical pillars are also known as SAREGAMA pillars,
named after the notes of the classic Indian music – Sa, Re,
Ga, Ma, etc. It is said musical notes are emanated when the
pillars are tapped gently.

• 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.
• 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.

• When one of the columns is struck, the

reverberation moves though the other
nearby columns. 

• The emission of musical notes from stone

pillars was a mystery that fascinated many
people down the centuries. Two of these pillars
were cut off by the British, who were surprised
by the musical notes of the pillars and wanted
to examine them in more detail. However, they
found out that the pillars had nothing inside
them.
• The eastern hall which is called the musicians hall is
notable for sculptures of musicians on the pillars.
Each of the pillars surrounding this hall is sculptured
with musicians, drummers and dancers.

• The southern hall is dominated with the rampant

mythical creatures called Yalis. The capitals of each of
the pillars branches into heavily ornate corbels with
terminating with lotus buds.

• The northern hall is surrounded

with a series of pillars with the
Narasimha (the man-lion
incarnation of Vishnu) themes.
• The ceilings of the halls too are of interest with the lotus
The most notable ones are that of
like carving at the centre.
Narasimha slaying
Hiranyakashipu on his lap.
• Further west is a closed hall with two porches on either
Prahlada is seen sitting at the base
side.
in a praying posture.