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**Religion in India: The City of Vijayanagara **

Introduction
===With a current population of 1.17 billion people, India has the title of the second most populated country in the world (CIA World Factbook). India is a diverse place on so many levels. Contrasts are found in every corner from it's varied topography, many languages, social classes, distribution of wealth, climate, and religions. I will be focusing on the role of religion in the ancient city of Vijayanagara. The purpose of this research will be to better understand the role of religion in Vijayanagara during the city's peak and understand why it fell out of existence. ===

 The name Vijayanagara, when translated in English means “City of Victory.” It is located in the present day city of Hampi, in the southern state Karnataka. The city and capital of Vijayanagara was founded in the 1330s by the Sangama brothers Bukka and Harihara. This multifaceted city was the capital of a powerful empire and had a population of approximately 250,000 people (Mack, 60). The Vijayanagara kings patronized the arts, philosophy, temple building, and other forms of “Hindu” expression (Clothey, 138). It was a city with immense religious meaning, and many set out on pilgrimages to the city. Apart from being a huge religious center, the area surrounding the city also gave way to it's initial success. The fertile soils and arable lands made agriculture and development a possibility lending to it's development. The ruins of the city lie on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River in the Deccan plateau in central Karnataka (Mack, 60). The Tungabhadra River forms the northern boundary of the city. Most of the major temple complexes are found in the area immediately south of the river (Mack, 60). In 1565, the city was looted and occupied by the Deccan sultans and Vijayanagara never fully recovered from the looting.



Hindu deities were worshipped at Vijayanagara from around the mid-fourteenth century to 1565 AD. The first documented pilgrimage to Vijayanagara was to visit the goddess Pampa. Research has led scholars to believe the goddess Pampa was perhaps an aquatic deity, due to many references of her as a river or lake. While Pampa originated as a local deity, she was eventually associated with the larger pan-Indian religious traditions by marrying Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, one of the major Hindu deities (Verghese, 94). By the twelfth century, the site had become the center of the Virupaksha cult, and that temple continues to serve as a pilgrimage center today. Despite her presumed early importance, worship of Pampa is today limited to a small shrine in the Virupaksha temple complex (Mack, 61). Within the cities boundaries, the Virupaksha temple is the only active pilgrimage temple today (Mack, 62). The temples of Vijayanagara served not only as religious devotion centers, they also served to reinforce the power structures of the ruling kings. The beautiful and ornate temples attracted people from all over making it a must-see destination and grand religious capital.


 * Vitthala Temple Complex **

One of the largest temple complexes at Vijayanagara is the Vitthala temple complex. The approximate size of the temple is just over 107,639 square feet! According to architectural evidence, it is believed that the temple was not built until after 1500. The temple complex is enclosed by a high-walled enclosure, with gateways to the east, south, and north (Mack, 66). The lay-out of the temple is typical for the time period. The Tungabhadra River flows in a northeasterly direction approximately 100 meters west of the temple (Mack 66). The main temple consists of the sanctuary and the antechamber, which are surrounded by a circumambulatory passageway, and enclosed by open pavilions (Mack, 66). According to Verghese, The Vitthala temple was, undoubtedly, the chief center of religious activity in the city, overshadowing in importance even the temple to Virupaksha, the principal deity of Hampi (Verghese, 425). The famous Stone Chariot is located at Vitthala. As you can see it is remarkably detailed and truly intricate. The stone chariot serves as an example of the very chariots that royalty rode on during religious processions.



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Hinduism was definitely the dominating religion in Vijayanagara and across India both in the past and presently. Along with Hinduism, the kings of Vijayanagara also permitted the practice of other religions. These religions included Jainism and Islam. Jainism religion, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, was established in India during the 7th and 5th centuries BC. Jainism's core belief is 'ashimsa,' or non-injury to all living things (Encyclopedia Britannica). At the site today, there are remains of six Jaina temples, and two mosques. Currently, Jainism has some four million adherents, mostly in India but with substantial groups of Jains in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other parts of the English-speaking world (Lopez, 18). The earliest dated temple at the site is a Jaina temple. Today, India is comprised of several religions, the most prevalent include, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Out of the aforementioned religions, Hinduism is the most common. Hinduism is now and probably has been at all times the most prevalent religious persuasion of the subcontinent. According to the most recent census figures, 83 percent of India's population is classified as Hindu, a total of perhaps 700 million Hindus (Lopez, 5)
 * Religions at Vijayanagara and in India Today **

 The Battle of Talikota on January 26, 1565 marked the beginning of the end of the Vijayanagara Empire. The battle was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Deccan sultanates. The Deccan kings had around 80,000 infantry and 30,000 calvary. Whereas, Vijayanagara had 140,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 soldiers on horseback. Each army had a substantial amount of war elephants. It was a short, yet intense battle (New world Encyclopedia). As a result of the battle, many of the beautiful temples and religious sites were destroyed and buried in history, leaving behind ruins of the once victorious city. Pillage and plunder immediately followed the battle. It was a clear and complete victory for the sultanates. (New World Encyclopedia).
 * The Fall of Vijayanagara: Battle of Talikota **

 So why have people referred to Vijayanagara as the “forgotten empire?” How did such as powerful empire filled with tremendous religious meaning, a strong economy, and natural resources fall so easily? Vijayanagara is no longer the name of the area or city, it has since been renamed Hampi. Although the city was taken over and looted, there still remains a substantial amount of archaeological evidence and architecture, bringing researchers, scholars and travelers to the site. There are theories suggesting the possible reasons for the fall of the empire. Some include, overconfidence and arrogance and lack of foresight amongst the royalty and leaders of the city. These are just theories and perhaps no one will ever know the specific reasons for the fall of the empire, making it all the more mysterious.
 * Why Did Vijayanagara Fall? **

 The ancient city of Vijayanagara is a fascinating site. From the ruins, temples, and artifacts that remain, they all provide great understanding of certain aspects of religion and life in southern India during the fourteenth, fifthteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Vijayanagara offers a glimpse into the past, and the temple ruins are remnants of the picturesque sacred landscape that once filled the land. For some, Vijayanagara still stands as a site for religious pilgrimage and for others it is merely a vanished empire that failed to withstand the pressures of New World.
 * Conclusion **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">1. Map of India. Available at: [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">2. Vijayanagara architecture. Available at: [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">3. Shiva. Available at: [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">4. Ganesh. Available at: [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">5. Vitthala illuminated. Available at: [] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">6. Stone Chariot. Available at: []
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Image References **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">1. Hampi Vijayanagara youtube video. Available at: []
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Video Reference **