VIJAYANAGAR - PAMPATTI AALAYAM

Aalayam is commonly and widely used for the place of worship in Andhra Pradesh. So, it is used for the following to give local colour.

The Vijayanagara empire is deservedly famous for its building of Aalayas and propagation of theism. Among the temples that received the emperors' munificent patronage, Pampapati Aalayam, popularly known as Virupaksha Aalayam merits reverent mention. Virupaksha is classed with the holy thirthas, which enjoins the observance of certain indispensable rituals on the orthodox visitors, like vupavasa, mundana - fasting, shaving etc. It has many legends and its sanctity and glory made it a great pilgrim centre. Many worth-seeing places, such as Rishyamuka Parvatha, Malayavana Parvatha associated with Ramayana characters, like Vali, Sugriva etc., are situated here. There are many Saivite gods - Parvati, Vinayaka, Subrahmanya installed in this temple, and the Sivalinga is known for bestowing boons on pious bhaktas liberally since inception.

The Pampapati Aalayam is a standing specimen of munificent royal patronage. A glance at it pays and elevates. So look!

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