Virupaksha Temple

The only temple in Hampi, where religious ceremonies take place is Virupaksha Temple. Sadly, there are dozens of temples in this ancient city, but all of them were destroyed in 1565 AD when Bahamani Sultans attached Hampi and ripped all of its beauty, Virupaksha Temple was redeveloped after the 1565 AD attacks, by the Hoysala and Chalukyan rulers. Then temple entry gate has 11 floors, and there is a real elephant at the main entrance gate, who is trained to bless the people with his trump. Cameras are not allowed inside the temple complex, but the still the exterior of the temple is breathtaking and thus Virupaksha Temple is one of 11 iconic places to see in Hampi.