A History of Agriculture in India v2.c65.s13.4

v2.c65.s13.4

Krishnadevaraya’s reign witnessed activity in temple-building rivalling those of Chola kings. A prominent feature of Vijayanagar temples is the Kalyanamandapa, a large hall with ornate pillars. Another feature is the towering gate-way. Goddesses were provided with separate shrines. At the beginning of his reign he built a gopura and repaired another, at the Hampi temple, which had been built by the early kings in honour of Madhavacharya, the founder of the fortunes of Vijayanagar. The great Krishnasvami temple was built by him in A.D. 1513, after his return from a successful campaign in the east. In the same year he commenced the temple of Hazāra Ramā-svami. This temple is studded with panels narrating the Ramayana story. Its prakara walls are decorated with friezes depicting dance, music and folk festivals. The Vitthala temple, which is one of the largest, was commenced by Krishnadevaraya in A.D. 1513 and was still not complete when the Empire fell in A.D. 1565. Immense towers called Raya-gopurams were added to the outermost procession paths of pre-existing temple-complexes of importance, e.g. the Ekamranatha at Kanchi, the Arunachala at Tiruvannamalai (North Arcot district), and the Shiva temple at Kalahasti (Chittoor district). Construction of pillared halls with prancing horses as decoration on the columns became a favourite device. Such equine decoration can be seen at its best in the temple at Srirangam.