Hemakuta 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.
