Home > Travel > Cities of India > Hemakuta Hill
Hemakuta Hill
Hemakuta Hill, in Karnataka, is an enchanting tourist spot housing a number of ancient temples, mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place has also gained significance as a sacred site owing to its mythological association.

Share this Article:

Hemakuta HillHemakuta Hill, located at Hampi in the state of Karnataka, offers a panoramic view of the surround ruins. Dotted with a large number of temples, pavilions and archways, the hill was once fortified with wide and tall stonewalls. Presently the fortification is in ruins and its remains can be witnessed scattered around. Atop the hill is overspread a flat rocky sheet having occasional elevations. Hemakuta Hill forms an excellent location to have splendid views sunrise and sunset. As the hill is not much high, reaching atop for majestic natural scenes is not much difficult too.

Mythology of Hemakuta Hill
Indian mythology says that the mind-born daughter of Brahma, named Pampa, did penance on this hill for attracting the attention of Lord Shiva, who was meditating close by. Pampa`s dedication for Lord Shiva impressed him and thus he granted her a boon in which she opted to marry him. Lord Shiva agreed to this and it is believed that on his consent gold rained on the hill. In Sanskrit the term `Hema` refers to gold and thus the hill derives its name from the legend. Hemakuta Hill is also believed to be the place where Lord Shiva had burnt Kama, the god of lust, with his third eye. Legend goes that Kama had distracted Lord Shiva from his meditation to help Pampa, owing to which he killed Kama with fire out of fury. Later Kama`s wife, Rathi who is the goddess of passion, requested for the life of Kama. Thus on her pleadings, Lord Shiva brought him back but not as a physical being and only in character.

Features of Hemakuta Hill
Hemakuta Hill houses a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among all, the main temple is the Virupaksha temple, situated at the north of this hill. Highest number of pre Vijayanagara temples can be witnessed on Hemakuta Hill. Along the slopes of the hill, about 30 temples stand. Most of them were constructed between 9th to 14th centuries and are the most ancient structures of Hampi as per the historians. Moola Virupaksha temple stands at the top of the hill having a pool in its front. The temple is regarded as the original Virupaksha temple.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India

Cities of North East India
Cities of North East India defines the unity in their culture and tradition. The tourism sector in North East cities in India are mainly based on nature and adventure tourism.
Cities of Central India
Cities of Central India are located on the Central Highlands in the midst of the dense jungles and the rich history of Chandella Dynasty.
Cities of South India
Cities of South India express the cleanliness, technically upgraded traffic system and easy communication in inter cities and abroad with railways, roadways and airways.
Capital Cities of North India
Capital Cities of North India have a rich history from the time of Mahabharata. These cities have good communication system, proper business centers and cultural home towns.
Capital Cities in East India
Capital cities in East India define the Bengali and Odiya culture with the close similarities. The tribal culture is also dominant in the 21st century capitals along with the heavy industrialization.
Capital Cities of South India
Capital cities of South India are the smarter cities, with well equipped communication system and rapid transit system. In these capital cities of India, ayurveda, historical tourism and the medical tourism are dominant.
Capital cities of West India
Capital cities of West India define the business centers and this region has the highest GDP rate.
Capital Cities of Central India
Capital Cities of Central India are located in the midst of forests and the tribal belts of Central India.
Capital Cities in North East India
North East India forms a unity in the tribal language, settlements and the culture. The capital cities of North East India run their administration in a unified form.
Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.
Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.
Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.
Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.
Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India represent the culture, history, monuments and eco tourism with easy connectivity in roadways, railways and airways.
Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.
Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.
Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.
Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.
Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.