About Badavilinga Temple
Badavilinga Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, is a renowned Shiva temple housing the largest monolithic Shiva Linga in Hampi, measuring about 3 meters in height. Located near the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple within the Hampi UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built during the Vijayanagara Empire. The linga is housed in a chamber with a water channel fed by Tungabhadra canal and remains a significant religious and heritage attraction.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a small stone chamber housing a massive monolithic black stone Shiva Linga standing in water, accessed by descending a few steps. The temple has no ceiling and is open to the sky, with the linga surrounded by a water channel. The setting is among boulders and ruins near the Lakshmi Narasimha statue, with stone pathways and open surroundings typical of Hampi's archaeological zone.
Key highlights
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Largest monolithic Shiva Linga in Hampi, approximately 3 meters tall
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Linga situated in a water-filled sanctum fed by a canal from the Tungabhadra River
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Open-roofed stone chamber without a superstructure
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Located adjacent to the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple within Hampi World Heritage complex
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Example of Vijayanagara period monolithic sculpture
History of Badavilinga Temple
Built during the Vijayanagara Empire period, the temple is believed to have been commissioned by a poor peasant woman (Badavi meaning poor in Kannada), hence the name Badavilinga. It represents the empire's tradition of monolithic sculpture and Shaivite worship, and is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Culture & Context
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an important Shaivite shrine where the linga is worshipped as a symbol of Shiva. It reflects the religious traditions of the Vijayanagara period and continues to be visited by pilgrims and tourists for its spiritual and architectural value.
Route
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