A working temple to Shiva that predates the empire and has been in continuous worship for over 1,300 years, with a 50-metre gopuram over the bazaar.
Look for the inverted shadow of the gopuram projected on the inner wall — a pinhole camera effect that has worked for centuries. Camera fee is separate and small.
Must visit
The colonnaded street in front of Virupaksha, with a hill of small pre-Vijayanagara shrines above it…
Must visit
The highest point in the ruins, with a 360-degree view over the boulder field, the river and the temple…
A large 1534 temple complex in a natural amphitheatre between two hills, with a long ruined market…
A spin in a round basket boat below the ruins, past Purandaradasa mandapa and the ancient…