Hampi Badavilinga Temple

By editor - 12.12 2017

Badavilinga Temple is a wonderful temple in Hampi dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Hindu deity Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Linga in this temple. The Badavilinga temple is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. Tourists as well as devotees flock to the temple throughout the year.

Significance of Badavilinga Temple, Hampi

The Badavilinga Temple in Hampi has the largest monolithic Shiva Linga in Hampi. The Shiva Linga has a three eye mark drawn on it in line carving. The three eye mark depicts the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

The beautiful Linga is made of black stone. It has a height of 3 meters. It is believed that the temple has been in existence since the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. Devotees come here from far and near to worship the Shiva Linga.

Legend Associated with Badavilinga Temple, Hampi

The name Badavilinga is a combination of two words – Badva and Linga. In the local language Badva means poor and Linga represents Shiva. Legend has it that the Shiva Linga placed inside the temple was commissioned by a poverty-stricken peasant woman. Hence the temple came to be known as Badavilinga Temple.

Interesting Facts about Badavilinga Temple, Hampi

The huge Shiva Linga of the Badavilinga Temple is situated inside a small stone chamber. There is a single opening in front of the chamber through which devotees can get in. An interesting thing to note about the design of the stone chamber is that it has no ceiling. During the day time, sunlight enters through the opening in the ceiling and floods the Shiva Linga with light.

The Shiva Linga has a large pedestal that is circular in shape. It is the yone pitha of the Shiva Linga. This circular pedestal draws into an outlet, also known as pranala. The pedestal of the Shiva Linga stands on a bed of water. This is due to the fact that the shrine always remains filled with water as a water channel flows through it.

According to devotees, the base of the Shiva Lingam is submerged in water as it depicts the arrival of the holy river Ganges on earth and its flow is controlled by Lord Shiva.

Present condition of Badavilinga Temple, Hampi

The Badavilinga Temple is a shrine that has not escaped the destruction that had befallen Hampi several centuries ago. However, the good part is that the Shiva Linga stands intact even today. The inner walls of the shrine, surrounding the Shiva Linga, have also escaped any severe damage.

Though the temple is a small and simple structure, it is a fascinating place to visit and have a look at the large Shiva Linga.

Badavilinga is the largest Linga in Hampi. Located next to the Lakshmi Narasimha statue the Linga is housed inside a chamber with an opening in the front.

A close look on this icon can reveal three eyes (depicting the three eyes of Shiva) carved on it.

Badava means ‘Poor’ in local language. The linga was made by a poor woman, hence got a name Badavi Linga. In a simple shrine, the Shiva Linga is placed just near Lakshmi Narasimha in Hampi.

This temple is adjacent to Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar’s sannadhi. The Shiva linga is about 3 meters high and avudayar is about 2 meter diameter. Shrine is open from front and top.

Channel of water flow through this chamber. Hence, the shrine chamber is always full of water. This adds mysterious calmness to the small temple. Sunlight focuses on the linga through open top.

It was told that the water is sourced through a small cannel from Tungabhadra. The super structure is in dilapidated condition.

Currently an old brahmana is taking care of this temple painstakingly with lot of devotion.

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