Just 2 km away from the Virupaksha Temple is the Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple built by the Dwaita Philosopher and the Rajguru of the Vijayanagara Empire, Sri Vyasaraja about 500 years ago. The Temple is the second most important shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Hampi.
It is said that Sri Vyasaraja used to draw a picture of Lord Hanuman on the rocks every day before offering prayers using charcoal and the picture used to disappear after the rituals used to be completed. The Yantrodharaka Temple is believed to be the place where Sri Ram and Hanuman had met for the first time during the Ramayana period. It is the first installation by Sri Vyasaraja amongst the other 732 Hanuman Idol installations. Located on the top of the hill and on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, a part of the river flows into the divine land known as Chakrateertha.
The famous Yantrodharaka Hanuman Stotram was written at the Temple and it is believed that the devotees here chant the sloka thrice a day for six months fulfilling one’s wish. The idol of Lord Hanuman available is in a meditative state and the idol revolves with a hexagonal amulet. The idol is enclosed by 12 monkey idols explaining 12 days of prayer. Fixed on the inside of the amulet are the seed syllables on which the great ascetic had once prayed. All this is designed on a single flat stone boulder which is about 8 feet in height.
Close to 5 minutes of walk from the Yantrodharaka Temple is a small temple dedicated to Lord Srinivasa ( incarnation of Lord Vishnu ), an idol that has been sculptured by Sri Vyasaraja himself.
Details:
Best Time To Visit: October – March
Entry Fee and Camera Fee: Not Applicable
Places to Stay: One can choose from various options at Hampi
How To Reach:
By Air: Bengaluru International Airport is the nearest airport ( 338 Kms )
By Train: The nearest railway station is Hospet Railway Station ( 10 Kms )
By Car: One can drive from Bengaluru to Yantrodharaka Temple which is 341 Kms
Important Things To Do:
- There are a lot of monkeys in and around the premises, so one needs to take care of their belongings
- There are shops around the temple which sell cucumbers, biscuits, and mangoes
- Time required to cover is about 1 hour