Hemakuta Hill Temple aka Hemakuta Group of Hill Temple is prominent tourist site in Hampi. It is an ancient group of shrines that existed before the kingdom of Vijayanagara was founded. It also contains some temples that were constructed when Vijayanagara Empire was at its zenith. A majority of temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and there are two legends associated with it. According to the first one, Goddess Parvati (here, known as Pampa Devi) did penance to please Lord Shiva and asked for a boon to marry her. The second legend states that Kamadeva (Lord of Physical Desires) was burnt into ashes at this point. Thus, numerous temples were built in his praise.
It Is Known For:-
1) Hemakuta Hill Temples have an architecture of their own as this place existed before Vijayanagara was founded. They’re often mistaken for Jain Temples.
2) Their architecture is known by the name of Trikutachala. All temples are triple-chambered and erected in a manner that every structure stands perpendicular to each other.
3) Most of the temples have plain exterior walls, whereas, some have beautiful carvings done on them. One can easily identify the temples that were built before Vijayanagara was founded and those that were built after the kingdom was founded.
4) Interestingly, all temples on the hill of Hemakuta face the direction where Virupaksha Temple is situated.
Best Time To Visit:-
There is no special season of time for visiting Hemakuta Hill Temple. It has a soul-soothing ambiance & can be visited during any time in any season. The entry to this place is free for all tourists and photography/videography are allowed as well.
Watch Out!
If visitors are visiting Hemakuta Hill during summers, one should be careful about the extreme temperatures. Thus, it is recommended that one should be careful about the searing weather and opt for visiting the place in a pleasant weather.
Reaching There:-
To reach Hampi safely and comfortably, one can choose the mode of roadways, railways, and airways that suit their pockets. Commuting within Hampi can be done best by hiring the service of the local transit like the bus, taxi, or auto that is available on a frequent basis.
Nearest Railway Station:- Hospet Junction
Nearest Airport:- Hubli Airport