Timmapura Agrahara: A Cultural Study of Vijayanagara-Hampi Temple Complex

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Timmapura (currently Timmala pura) is a great artistic centre of the Vijayanagara period. This has been neglected so far. As it is in the close proximity to Hampi, the enormity and grandeur of hampi has sidelighted it. But Timmapura has occupied an important place in the long and glorious history of Vijayanagara art. Although it is not a royal foundation, its temples are in no way inferior to some major temples of hampi like Krsna and iruvengalanatha in their configuration and erection. Bayakara ramappa established the Timmapura-Agrahara in the early part of the sixteenth century. He was an astute administrator, profound scholar in Samskrta and music, and renowned architect. He has composed Svaramela kalanidhi in Samskrta, and it is a standard work on Karnatik music. Bayakara Ramappa issues a large number of inscriptions registering the construction of several temples, as many as sixteen wells and tanks, which are even today serving the people of bellary district of Karnataka. Among the several temples he created at Timmapura, Siva, Gopinatha deva, Malikarjuna are still in situ. These temples are noted for artistic and architectural elegance and excellence. Siva temple is rich in rare Saiva sculptural programme. The principal icon of Gopinathadeva temple is a matchless and marvelous creation of the art of this period. A masterly study of this agrahara is the theme of this monograph.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR S.N. Shivarudraswamy

Vijayanagara Temples in Karnataka Size 29 cm, xxii+284, illus., 179+51, 1996. Published by Directorate of Archeology and Museums in karnataka, Govt. of Karnataka, Mysore. Established in 1336 by Sangama brothers, harihara and Bukka, the Vijayanagara empire flourished for more than two and a quarter century. Bringing the entire South India under its sway, the empire made astounding achievements in all walks of human life like, religion, literature, art and architecture. The temples played a key role in the socio-religious life of the country. Constructional activities took place on a massive scale during the Vijayanagara empire and more than 1800 temples were erected throughout Karnataka. The study of the Vijayanagara temples had been ignored in Karnataka till now. Such a study of Vijayanagara temples has been made in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. The analytical study of the Vijayanagara temples based on the extensive field work has been undertaken by the author successfully in this work. This forms a valuable addition to the works on the history of art and architecture of the Vijayanagara period.