Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
The Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Karnataka. It is the only temple in Hampi that is still actively used for worship today. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva.
The temple's most prominent feature is its nine-story eastern gateway tower, which rises to 160 feet (49 meters) and is decorated with stucco figures.
A small hole in one of the temple's mandapas (halls) projects an inverted shadow of the main gopuram onto a wall inside, creating a pinhole camera effect.
While much of Hampi consists of ruins, this temple has continuously served as a place of pilgrimage since its construction, with worship continuing even today.
