How were the halls in Virupaksha Temple used ? Mention any two purposes.
(a) According to local tradition, these halls sheltered the monkey kingdom of Vali and Sugriva mentioned in the Ramayana. Other traditions suggest that Pampadevi, the local mother goddess did penance in these halls in order to marry Virupaksha, the guardian diety of the kingdom, also recognised as a form of Shiva.
(b) Temple building in the region had a long history, going back to dynasties such as the Pallavas, Ghalukyas, Hoysalas and Cholas. Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine -often, the deity was explicity or implicity identified with the king. Temples also functioned as centres of learning.
(c) It is likely that the very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the existence of the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. In fact the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha. All royal orders were signed “Shri Virupaksha”, usually in the Kannada script.
