Shri Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple - Hindu temple in Venkatapura - Ballari, India

Amazing place. Such an old temple. Ramayana is being recited here since 25-26 years 24x7. Don't miss the sunset from here too, amazing views. Do also visit the Hanuman temple right outside.

Visiting Malyavantha Swamy Temple in Hampi for the sunset was a magical experience. The ancient temple offers a breathtaking view of the mesmerizing Hampi landscape as the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The serene ambiance and the spiritual vibe made this visit truly special. Highly recommend catching the sunset here - it's a soul-soothing experience that connects you with the rich history and natural beauty of Hampi.

Malyavanta Raghunatha temple , The temple complex built in early 16th century CE by Vijayanagara king Sri Krishnadevaraya with 2 entrance gopurams on the east and south. The temple is elaborate in classical Vijayanagara style with highly decorated tall pillars, richly carved bas-reliefs and exquisite sculpturing. The east facing temple consists of 2 Gopurams, porch, a large pillared pavilion, Kalyana mantap (marriage hall), a couple of pillared halls with large courtyards and large praakara around. The temple complex has the cave in which Lord Rama and Lakshmana lived during the rainy season. Sri Rama Charita Manas is being recited dawn to dusk everyday here. There is a door at the rear (west) outer wall leading us to the Shiva shrine at the back and the view point.

This temple was built in 16th Century. It's believed that Lord Rama and Lakshamana, during their search for Sita, spent the rainy season here. You also get a beautiful view of sunrise from this place. The camera definitely cannot capture the real beauty.

The temple is atop the Malyavanta hills. Built in Vijayanagar style of architecture, the temple houses idols of Rama, seeta and lakshmana. There two mahadwaras, one on the east side and the other on the south side. There is a good road that leads to the temple but it is narrow. There is limited parking space and it is difficult to find parking during evenings when lot of people visit here for sunset. Inside the temple premises, there is a stone tower which has short form of Valmiki ramayana inscribed on it. The temple and the location behind the temple are popular for sunset.

Come here early before dusk to watch the mesmerising sunrise and then visit this peaceful temple. Climb to the sunrise temple is not that difficult and you will get a complete and beautiful sun rise. Temple is also very serene and the mantapa next to temple is also very beautiful.

Malyavanta Raghuvanta temple, Hampi. Again not a very famous attraction and many people miss to see this place due to its isolation from the main touristy circuit. But once we went here, thanks to our guide, Virupaksha(not Lord Shiva ) this was an amazing hill top with some amazing sunset views. We spent almost 2 hours here waiting for the sunset, although it was anti-climatic in the end. The hill top offers view of the famous Matunga hill, Hampi landscape and at the bottom there is the beautiful Rama temple where Lord Ram vigraha is without any weapons and that is rare to find. So if you're in Hampi don't miss this place! The sunset, panaromic views of Hampi and more in the upcoming posts, stay tuned. .... The Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka. On my recent trip to hampi I got really spell bound by the beauty even in the ruins, if the ruins are so picturesque and beautiful, imagine what the Vijayanagara Kingdom at its peak could have been One can only wonder. I was there for 2 days but I will certainly be back for more because for a photographer Hampi is divine! There's always a certain feeling-nostalgia when you are capturing a city to show what could have been, if it did survive. Enough reason to spend more and more time at Hampi. ...... The Virupaksha Temple gopura, from within the temple complex at sunset. The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha under the ruler Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also one of the very few temples left behind from that era. Hence it is over one of the main attractions at Hampi, also because of the natural Pin hole camera at the temple where the gopura's shadow falls inverted on the wall, a km away inside the temple. It speaks volumes about the architectural finese and mastery of the people back then and is still a wonder to watch! Do not miss to visit this place as during sunset it is a picture of serenity and calm with the Tungabhadra flowing right behind the temple complex.

If you have a 2+ days itinerary, you should come here for sunrise and this is one the very few huge operating temples in Hampi. Even elders can make it to the sunrise point.