What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?
The rulers of Vijayanagara made many innovations in the architectural traditions. They added many new features in the temple architecture. These large structures were a show of their imperial authority. For example, they built gopurams and royal gateways. The towers of the central shrines signalled the presence of the temple from a great distance. But the royal gateways surpassed them in height. They reminded the power of the kings. They showed that the kings had full command over the resources, techniques and skills
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The rulers of Vijayanagara also got built mandapas or pavilions. Besides there were long and pillared corridors that ran around the shrines. There were two main temples—The Virupaksha Temple and the Vitthala Temple. The Virupaksha Temple was built over the centuries. It was constructed in the 9th-10th centuries. But after the establishment of Vijayanagara Empire, it was substantially enlarged. Krishnadeva Raya built a hall in front of the main shrine. It marked his accession to the throne. It was decorated with delicately carved pillars.
Many temple complexes had chariot streets. These streets extended from the temple gopuram in a straight line. They were paved with slabs of stone. They were lined with pillared pavilions. The merchants set up their shops in these pavilions. In other words, the rulers of Vijayanagara built impressive buildings.
