Hazara Rama temple

History glossary

Also called: Ramachandra temple · Topic: Vijayanagara and the Deccan · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"

Meaning

The Hazara Rama temple stands in the "royal centre" of Vijayanagara, the 14th–16th-century capital at Hampi in Karnataka. It was probably used only by the king and his family, not by ordinary people. The images that stood inside the main shrine are now missing. Carved panels on the walls of the inner shrine still survive, and some of them show scenes from the Ramayana. The temple shows how the rayas (the Vijayanagara kings) linked their rule to the gods.

Example

At Hampi, the Hazara Rama temple stands among the palace buildings of the royal centre and not in the temple area by the river. Its Ramayana wall panels are among the best-known carvings at the site.

Don't confuse with

  • Virupaksha temple: this was the great public temple of Virupaksha, the kingdom's guardian god (a form of Shiva), in the sacred centre. The Hazara Rama temple was a private royal shrine.
  • Vitthala temple: this temple to Vitthala, a form of Vishnu, is in the sacred centre. It is famous for its shrine shaped like a stone chariot.

Related concepts

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