Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c21.s2.t2.6

v2.c21.s2.t2.6

Before we enumerate these details, it may be interesting to recall the observations made by Nuniz on what the kings of Vijayanagara did before their coronation. While dealing with Vidyāraṇya and the founders of Vijayanagara, Nuniz says: "And after that hermit was dead the King raised a very grand temple in honour of him and gave much revenue to it. And ever since, in his memory, the Kings of Bisnaga, on the day when they are raised to be kings, have, in honour of the hermit, to enter this house before they enter their own; and they offer many prayers in it, and celebrate many feasts there every year."¹ Nuniz here evidently has confounded a shrine which may have been built in memory of Vidyāraṇya with the temple of Virūpāksha at Hampe, which, we may be permitted to repeat, was certainly not built in honour of that sage.