Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakalविरूपाक्ष मंदिर, पट्टदकल

About Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

The Virupaksha Temple is the grandest of the temples at Pattadakal, a village on the bank of the Malaprabha river in Bagalkot district, Karnataka. Pattadakal was a royal centre of the Early Chalukyas of Badami, where kings are said to have been crowned. Its cluster of temples, built in both northern and southern styles, is recognised as the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Virupaksha is the most important among them and is still in active worship.

Inscriptions record that the temple was built around the 740s CE by Queen Lokamahadevi to celebrate the victories of her husband, the Chalukya king Vikramaditya II, over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. It was first known as Lokeshwara after the queen. Historians note that it shares many features with the Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram, and the Chalukya builders may have drawn on what they saw there. In turn, the Virupaksha Temple is believed to have influenced later rock-cut works such as the Kailasa Temple at Ellora.

The temple stands in a walled courtyard with a gateway and a separate Nandi pavilion in front. The sanctum, with a linga, is crowned by a stepped Dravidian tower. Inside, a large pillared hall has columns carved with scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas, and the outer walls hold fine images of Shiva, Vishnu and other deities in niches. The other temples of Pattadakal, such as Mallikarjuna, Papanatha, Sangameshwara and Galaganatha, lie close by in the same landscaped complex.

Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal timings & aarti

The Pattadakal complex is usually open from sunrise to sunset. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

Festivals at Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

• Pattadakal Dance Festival (held in some years)Jan/Feb
• Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
• Karthika MasaOct/Nov

Visitor tips

Dress code

Modest clothing is recommended, and footwear must be removed before entering the shrine.

Entry

ASI entry ticket (separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors) for the Pattadakal complex; worship continues at the Virupaksha shrine.

• Combine Pattadakal with Badami and Aihole; the three sites form a natural one-day or two-day circuit.
• Start early to avoid the midday heat, as the complex has little shade.
• Carry water and a hat, and wear footwear that is easy to remove.
• Hire a guide to understand the mix of northern and southern temple styles in the group.
• Respect worshippers at the Virupaksha shrine while photographing other parts of the complex.

Places to visit near Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

• AiholeEarly Chalukya temple site including the Durga Temple, about 13 km away
• Mahakuta TemplesGroup of Chalukya Shiva temples around a holy tank, about 15 km away
• Badami Cave TemplesRock-cut Hindu and Jain caves above Agastya lake, about 22 km away
• Banashankari Temple, CholachaguddaPopular temple of Goddess Banashankari, about 25 km away

Frequently asked questions