Temple Description

The Vidyashankara Temple, constructed in 1338 A.D., was built to honor the pontiff Sri Vidyashankara by Sri Vidyaranya, the patron-saint of Harihara and Bukka, who established the Vijayanagara Empire. Although the temple features inscriptions detailing contributions from various Vijayanagara emperors, it was likely erected on the site of an earlier Hoysala temple, combining elements of both Hoysala (Chalukya) and Vijayanagara (Dravida) architectural styles.

Constructed entirely of stone, the temple stands on a raised platform and has a roughly rectangular shape with apsidal ends oriented east-west. The garbhagriha, or sanctum, is located on the western side and is flanked by statues of Vidya Ganapati and Durga. Surrounding the garbhagriha are shrines dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, each accompanied by their consorts.

The eastern section of the temple features a mantapa supported by twelve pillars, known as rashi stambhas, which are marked with the twelve zodiac signs. The sunlight illuminates each pillar according to the twelve solar months. The floor includes a large circle with converging lines to show the direction of shadows. The central ceiling is intricately designed with lotus patterns and pecking parrots. The vimana above the garbhagriha rises with a shikhara, mahapadma, and stupa, while the rest of the roof is covered with sloping, channelled slabs. The temple’s basement is richly adorned with sculptures depicting animals, Puranic stories, and figures such as Shiva, Vishnu, Dashavatara, Kali, and Shanmukha. Notable features include chains of stone rings and growling lions with stone balls inside their mouths, which can be rotated. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Vidyatirtha Rathotsava festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm during Kartika Shukla Paksha, lasting seven days from Tritiya to Navami. On the Saptami day, Jagadguru Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamiji performs special pujas. The aradhana (worship) of Sri Vidyashankara takes place on Shasti, Saptami, and Ashtami.