Cave temple and tourist bungalow ruins

This rock-cut shrine is part of the wide cluster behind the queen's bath house, the cluster which includes Chandrashekara Devastana, Saraswati Devastana and Octagonal water pavilion. It's a couple of minute's walk from Saraswati Devastana which sits atop an outcrop. While there are boards calling it 'cave temple' it is marked as 'Rathi temple' on Google Maps.

While most rock-cut shrines are at ground level or above it, this one is below the ground level. Looks like the builders excavated to reach the sandstone rock's base and built retaining walls to keep dirt in place.

A board close to the temple describes the cave temple in two lines. Then it describes the ruins of a guest house next to the cave temple:

ಗುಹಾಂತರ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ಮಹಾನವಮಿ ದಿಬ್ಬದ ಪೂರ್ವಕ್ಕೆ, ಅಷ್ಟಭುಜ ಸ್ನಾನಗೃಹದ ಉತ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಉತ್ತರಾಭಿಮುಖವಾಗಿರುವ ಈ ಗುಹಾಲಯವು ನೆಲಮಟ್ಟದಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕೆಳಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದು ಹಂಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಏಕೈಕ ಗುಹಾಂತರ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ಪನನ ನಡೆಸಿ ಆಡಳಿತ ಕಛೇರಿ, ದರ್ಬಾರ್ ಹಾಲ್, ವಾಸಗೃಹ ಮತ್ತು ಒಂದು ಭೋಜನ ಶಾಲೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪೂರ್ವಾಭಿಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಸರಣಿ ಶೌಚಾಲಯಗಳು ಬೆಳಕಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿವೆ. ದರ್ಬಾರ್ ಹಾಲ್ನ ಈಶಾನ್ಯ ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರವೇಶ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರವಿದ್ದು, ಹೊರಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕುದುರೆ ಲಾಯವಿದೆ. ಈ ಕಟ್ಟಡಗಳ ಸಮೂಹವು ವಿದೇಶಿ ಬರಹಗಳನ್ವಯ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿ ಅತಿಥಿಗೃಹ ಆಗಿರುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ ಇದ್ದು, ಸನೀಹದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಎರಡು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರಗಳಾದ ಶೃಂಗಾರದ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲು ಮತ್ತು ಸೋಮವಾರದ ಬಾಗಿಲುಗಳು ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತವೆ.

ಅರಮನೆಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠರ ಅರಮನೆ ಆವರಣ ಮತ್ತು ಟಂಕಸಾಲೆಯ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅರಮನೆಗಳು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಅವುಗಳ ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಅರಮನೆಗಳ ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಸಮುಚ್ಚಯದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜರ ವಂಶಸ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠರು ಅಥವಾ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅತಿಥಿಗಳು ವಾಸಮಾಡಿರಬಹುದೆಂದು ಅವುಗಳ ವಿಸ್ತಾರತೆ ಮತ್ತು ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯನ್ನು ಆಧರಿಸಿ ತರ್ಕಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

The Cave Temple is found to the east of Mahanavami Dibba, near the Octagonal Bath. This north-facing temple is slightly below the ground level and is the only cave temple in Hampi. In the front area of this temple, during the archaeological excavation a complex of structures consisting, an administrative block, a durbar hall, a royal residence and a Bhojana shala with series of toilets facing east. It has an entrance at durbar hall through a north-eastern entrance which also has a horse stables. Near by there are the two entrances of Sringarada Hebbagilu and Somavarada Bagilu. this could be the guest house for dignitaries visiting the great city as explained by foreign chronicles.

Though there are palaces in the entire region of Hampi, the palaces found in Noblemen's Quarters and Mint Area are prominent. Its architecture style resembles that of the other palaces. Based on the architectural style and its large proportions, it is believed to be the living quarters of the noblemen, royal family and their guests.

The north facing rock-cut temple has just two chambers. The outer doorway and walls are devoid of any decorative sculptures. However the sculptors have provided a wide overhang to prevent rainwater entry.

This is the north facing sanctum. Inside you can see the pedestal which is devoid of deity. There's a touch of decor around the doorframe, and on ceiling is divided into three sections just like rock-cut shrines at Badami and Aihole. I feel this was a Jaina Basadi or a shelter used by Jaina monks.

Due to its simplicity there's nothing much to see. We step out and check the yard in front. On the left is a platform, probably a natural rock with a leveled surface. 

We walk towards the guest house ruins. The neighboring rock formation is granite on which steps have been carved. On the top is a structure made of granite blocks and mortar. I'm not sure about the purpose of that structure, if it was a shelter or a water tank. Anyhow, at the base of the rock is a smaller structure which is a chamber connected to underground water canals. Hampi being an advanced city of it's time had a huge population and there was a need for fresh water, not just residents but also for visitors, animals like horses, cattle, camels and elephants. Hence the city has a network of water tanks, paviliosn and canals.

We found more such chambers and water tanks.

A glimpse of the palace ruins from ground level in dim light. I wanted to explore the ruins but fading light and thorny shrubs dissuaded me. Perhaps the exploration is for another day.

As we walk towards the octagonal water pavilion, I noticed ruins of a gateway. Again the path towards it was filled with thorny plants so dropped the idea of reaching it and decided to head back to my car and then go towards Bhojana Shala.

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