Hampi 23 Uddana Veerabhadra swamy temple ಉದ್ದಾನ ವೀರಭದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ UNESCO world Heritage site Karnataka

Hampi 23 Uddana Veerabhadra swamy temple, ಉದ್ದಾನ ವೀರಭದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ, Hampi tourism UNESCO world Heritage site Hampi Tourism, Bellary Tourism, Karnataka tourism, temples of Karnataka, ancient temples India, ancient Indian Architecture.. Uddana Veerabhadra temple is an ancient shrine in Hampi that is known for its religious significance.The main deity of the temple, Veerabhadra, is 16 feet high well sculpted image of Veerabhadra. The temple has the largest statue of Veerabhadra, built during the Vijayanagara period, in Hampi.Uddana Veerabhadra temple is also known as Mudduviranna temple according to the inscription.The Uddana Veerabhadra Temple dates back to the era of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was consecrated by Dalavayi Jangamayya in the year 1545 AD. The temple is dedicated to Veerabhadra, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Veerabhadra is a cult deity who represents the ferocious form of Lord Shiva.
The presence of the Uddana Veerabhadra Temple in Hampi points towards the fact that during the Vijayanagara days the people of Hampi used to worship the Gods in their ferocious forms as well.Veerabhadra is also called Muddu Veeranna in the local dialect. Hence, the temple is also known as Mudduviranna temple.
Legend has it that King Daksha had a beautiful daughter named Sati. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and married him against the wishes of her father.
Daksha did not approve of the marriage. Once Daksha held a special occasion and invited all the Gods and sages to the event except his daughter Sati and her husband Shiva. When Sati arrived at the event without invitation, Daksha insulted Sati and abused Shiva in front of Sati and all other guests. Sati was unable to bear the insults and abuses heaped on her husband. She committed suicide by jumping into the sacrificial fire at the venue.
On hearing the news about Sati’s death Shiva became enraged. He plucked out a lock of his matted hair and threw it on the ground with immense anger. Out of that lock of hair were born the demon god Veerabhadra and Goddess Kali.
Shiva’s anger led to unleashing of terror at Daksha’s palace and ultimately Daksha was beheaded.
Even the Gods of the heaven became afraid of Shiva’s fury and appealed to him for mercy. They requested Shiva to bring back Daksha to life. Shiva relented and replaced Daksha’s head with that of a goat and brought him back to life. After this incident, Daksha turned into a devotee of Shiva.
According to mythology, Veerabhadra is an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself and Kali is his consort. That is why a section of the people worships Veerabhadra as a form of Shiva.
This image of Veerabhadra has four hands. The upper hands bear bow and arrow and the lower hands bear sword and shield.
There are a few unique facts to note about the Uddana Veerabhadra Temple. They are:
The temple has a small image of goat headed Daksha placed near the main image of Veerabhadra.
The temple has the unique Sarvanga Linga installed inside the sanctum sanctorum.The twin superimposed Linga (called Sarvanga Linga ) installed at this temple is unusual for its form .
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Guide Manjunath Gowda
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