Bengaluru, Nov 2026 : The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed the structural remains of two ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva during ongoing excavations near the historic Jain Temple complex at Hampi in Karnataka. The discoveries are expected to provide valuable insights into the architectural traditions, settlement patterns, religious practices and cultural life of the Vijayanagara Empire.
According to the ASI, the excavation has revealed the remains of two temples, along with several sculptures and architectural elements that shed light on the region's historical and religious significance.
The newly discovered Vishnu shrine is a partially subterranean dwikuta (two-shrined) temple complex constructed in the traditional Vijayanagara architectural style. Built using massive dressed granite slabs through dry-stone masonry, the structure features a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), a sunken entrance corridor known as ardhamandapa, a decorative moulded basement or adhishthana, lime flooring, heavy supporting beams and stone seating platforms.
The entrance is flanked by high-relief dvarapalas or guardian figures carved at the base of the door jambs. Although the brick-built shikhara or vimana has not survived, the foundation walls, stone lintels and door jambs remain largely intact, offering evidence of the temple's original architectural design.
Several important sculptural artefacts have also been recovered from the site. These include a headless, kneeling winged figure resembling Garuda, relief carvings of Nagadevi and Nagadeva, two sculptures depicting coiled and intertwined serpents, and a stone image of Lord Vishnu in a standing posture, known as Sthanaka Murti.
Alongside the Vishnu shrine, archaeologists have exposed the foundational remains of a granite temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The structure is distinguished by a raised, moulded plinth and a central interior chamber. Pillars at the site feature prominent sculptural motifs, including Varaha, the sacred boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The excavation area is located near the Ganagitti Temple, regarded as the oldest Jain shrine at Hampi. Dating back to 1386 AD, the temple was constructed during the reign of Vijayanagara ruler Bukkaraya II by his minister Iruguppa Dandanayaka, also known as Iruga.
Dedicated to Lord Kunthunatha, the 17th Tirthankara of Jainism, the Ganagitti Temple is an important monument in Hampi's religious and architectural history.
According to Jain scriptures, Kunthunatha was born into the Ikshvaku dynasty in Hastinapur to King Surya (Sura) and Queen Shridevi. He is believed to have attained Siddha and Moksha at Mount Shikharji at the age of 95,000 years.
The latest ASI discoveries add to Hampi's archaeological significance, highlighting the coexistence of different religious traditions and the architectural heritage of the Vijayanagara period. The excavated structures and sculptures are expected to help researchers better understand the region's historical development and cultural landscape.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
