Sacred centre of Vijayanagara
Topic: Vijayanagara and the Deccan · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"
Meaning
The "sacred centre" is the rocky northern part of Vijayanagara (Hampi), on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. People thought the place was holy long before the empire. Local tradition said the monkey kingdom of Vali and Sugriva from the Ramayana was here. It also said that the goddess Pampadevi did penance in these hills to marry Virupaksha. Jaina temples older than Vijayanagara stand among the hills. The rayas built their biggest temples here to show that the gods supported their rule.
Example
The Virupaksha temple had its first shrine in the 9th–10th century and was greatly enlarged under the empire. Krishnadeva Raya added a hall in front of the main shrine to mark his accession (his coming to the throne), and he also built the eastern gopuram (gateway tower). The Vitthala temple nearby, with its shrine shaped like a stone chariot, is also in the sacred centre.
Don't confuse with
- Royal centre: this was the south-western part of the city, with palace complexes, the mahanavami dibba and the Lotus Mahal. The sacred centre was the zone of the great temples by the river.