Ballari: It may be the largest of the Hampi ruins, but the Pattabhirama temple, some distance from the main tourist trail at the world heritage site, does not get many visitors. Located on the outskirts of the town of Hampi, it barely gets a mention by tourist guides and only real enthusiasts of Vijaynagar history make the effort to travel the distance to see it.
Caretaker of the temple, Sreedhar, employed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) believes that had its deity, Lord Pattabhirama, not been destroyed in the aftermath of the Talikota war in 1565, it could have been one of the most famous pilgrimage centres of the south. Giving the temple its due finally, ASI has embarked on a project to restore it by repairing the diminished mortar and bricks on the gopuras, replacing the missing granite slabs on its floor, plugging its leaking roof and strengthening its compound wall. Mr Prakash Nayakanda, deputy superintending archeologist, ASI, Hampi mini circle, says it is working to restore the temple’s original structure without disturbing its architectural splendour. “It’s the finest restoration work we have taken up so far in Hampi and it is turning out as we wanted,” he added. It is believed the temple was built by Thimmaraja in 1549 during the rule of Achyuta Raya and was central to a suburban township called Varadarajamma Pattana or Varadadevi Ammana Pette.
The hall in front of the main sanctum is a superb example of Vijayanagar architecture and its marriage hall has pillars carved with intricate Yali images. A tall tower at the east end of its compound wall opens to a wide chariot street.
