Virupaksha temple

In the East-South of India in Karnataka state is situated the city of monkeys and destroyed temples which is called Hampi. The life in this city starts with the first rays of the sun. Among chaotic rock chunks and mountains, shrouded with the morning mist, the pyramid-alike temples appear. The village of simple people is divided from the city of gods by Tungabhadara river. This group of monuments is protected by UNESCO.

The main temple of the Group of Monuments at Hampi and the first building you enter is Virupaksha temple. It is dedicated to lord Shiva who is responsible for destructive energy in the world. The history of Virupaksha temple started in 7th century till Muslim invaders destroyed the majority of decorative elements of the building in 1565. 

Nowadays the temple is reconstructed. It became a home for monkeys and the place of pilgrimage. There is an elephant called Lakshmi (Indian goddess of wealth and luck), who is giving blessings to people. Also it is one of the temples which allows Indians to make a wedding ceremony there for free and what is more the temple provides any amount of guests with treatment. The temple is opened for tourists and visited by hundreds of Europeans every day. 

by Daria Kozhina