Built by Salakaraju Tirumaladeva, an officer of the King Achyutaraya, the Achyutaraya temple had been constructed in a large complex. This temple is exemplary of the architectural and sculptural style of
Vijayanagara and prior to the fall of the
Vijayanagara Empire, this temple was constructed as a marvelous instance of Vijayanagara fashion in AD 1534 during the ruling period of King Achyutaraya. The main deity of the temple is Lord Tiruvengalanatha who is said to be the form of
Lord Vishnu.
The principal deity of the Achyutaraya temple is consecrated near the two rectangular courtyards. The interiors of the courtyard walls are lined with a religious residence or pillared verandahs. The outer parts are predominately in ruins with the pillars that are scattered hither and thither along the wall base. The entrance of the temple courtyards are made by the two colossal ruined towers.
The chamber is observed directly to the inner court and the former faces the porch to the central hall. This is the place where the idol of
Garuda was once placed. The temple is the abode of some of the marvelously carved pillars of
Hampi. The sculpture and the architectural style of the temple include religious and martial themes that are decorated on monolithic block of rocks. The themes involve the themes of
Lord Krishna, the infancy of Krishna, Lord Vishnu etc. The twin domiciliated shrine of the goddess is located to the west of the principal shrine. The Kalayana mandapa is located at the northwest corner of the outer compound. The wide courtesan’s street is ahead the temple and there is an image of the ten handed goddess that is carved on the rock is observed in the temple compound.
There are a few simple ways to reach the Achyutaraya’s temple that starts from Kodanda Rama Temple through the Soolai Bazaar or Courtesan Street. Another way can be from the Virupaksha Bazaar.
The Achyutaraya’s temple is one of the renowned temples located in Hampi and the instance of brilliant architectural construction that deserves paying visit to appraise the constructional details of the temple.
