Explain main features of the Sacred Centre.
(a) The site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. The northern end of the city touched the banks of the Tungabhadra. It was a rocky and hilly area. According to a local tradition, the kingdoms of Bali and Sugriva, mentioned in the Ramayana, existed in these hills. There is another tradition that Pampadevi, the local mother goddess, did penance in these hills in order to marry Virupaksha, the guardian deity of the kingdom. The marriage was annually celebrated in the Virupaksha temple. Besides there were Jaina temples in the pre-Vij ayanagara period. In other words, this area was associated with many sacred traditions. Hence it is called the Sacred Centre.
(b) The very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by these sacred traditions and temples. The kings of Vijayanagara claimed to rule on behalf of the god, Virupaksha. They signed all royal orders as “Shri Virupaksha.” They often signed in the Kannad script. However the rulers ofVijayanagara not only developed but also innovated the earlier traditions. They displayed royal portrait sculpture in the temples. The visit of the kings to temples was treated as an important occasion. So he was accompanied by all the important nayakas.
