Sahasralinga near Chakratirtha, Hampi

This important spot was unknown to me despite several trips to Hampi. The day I learned about it I decided to see it. Also I came to know that the spot is a bit difficult to reach since it is situated amongst heaps of rocks. Reaching the spot would be challenging and an adventure.

Dec 11, 2024. This was the third day of Hampi-Anegundi tour with Sridhar. We arrived at Chakratirtha around 7-15 am. We visited Kodandarama Devastana and Yantrodharak Hanuman Gudi. Then we went in search of Sahsralinga. The natural formations looked daunting. We followed the ruins of the ancient path of rough-cut blocks placed over natural boulders. At one point some of the blocks had dislodged making the path uneven where we had to be tread slowly. At this point we aborted the search. We traced back part of the way and then climbed a slope going towards Vishnu Dashavatara sculpture. We parked ourselves on a comfortable spot which had a great view of Chakratirtha and its surroundings. This is where I got the thought of continuing the search using DJI Mini 2. Within minutes I located the two groups of Linga and took a few shots of them. We were quite close to Sahasralinga but we couldn't figure out the way to reach them. Satisfied with the aerial shots we moved.

Jan 29, 2025. I was at Hampi again, this time with my brother Deepak. This time I was determined to reach the Sahasralinga. Like the previous visit, we followed the ancient path built over the boulders and went all the way down. The path took us to an ancient temple very close to the waters. I have no words to describe the temple.. a deep bow to whoever conceived the idea and also to the people who created it. And it was a dead end unless we chose to swim in the river and go around the boulders. Coincidentally a coracle was passing by. I asked the coracle pilot who told us to go back and climb a large boulder. We traced back our steps and looked for another path in the maze of boulders. I saw a group of four men were climbing up a boulder and felt they could lead us. Yes. With a bit of help from the group we too climbed on and a little distance away were the two groups of Sahasralinga. To my right is Tungabhadra but out of sight. And, in the background on the horizon is the Matanga Gudda.

Of the two groups of Linga this is the smaller one.

Such a beautiful creation. It's an ancient practice to make a vow to build a temple or get a deity sculpted when their wishes come true or problems solved. Vows were taken by kings, high ranking officers, businessmen or any person. I feel Hampi is filled with temples and shrines which originated from such vows.

The pentagon outline is unique. The geometry is interesting. The matrix of Linga is skewed on the right. The last three columns are bent unlike the perfect columns on the left.

The larger group too has imperfections. Probably it wasn't made perfect intentionally. At the southwestern corner is a symbolic etching of a prostrating couple. 

This following shots are from DJI Mini2. At the top of the picture is another row of Linga enclosed in squares. Also there's a lone Linga too. In fact, as we stepped around these boulders we could see several shrines of Linga and inscriptions too. A lot of people has their vows fulfilled at Chakratirta. Probably the rich had appointed priests to perform daily rituals, and they themselves would participate once a month or a year.

Here's a shot showing both Sahasralinga.

Here are a couple of bird's eye view of Chakratirtha.

And a view of Tungabhadra turning towards east again. At the bend, on the opposite bank are the ruins of Chandramouleshwara Devastana and the ancient bridge connecting the two shores.

For those who wish to reach Sahasralinga, please bear in mind there are three ways-

1. Approaching from the south. This is a rather challenging route since it is involves moving across uneven surface and leaping across gaps between boulders.
2. Approaching from the north. This is slightly less tedious but one has to walk a lot more.
3. The river approach. One could ride the coracle and get off at a point close to Sahasralinga. One walks to climb a short uneven surface to reach the spot.

Whichever way one takes, please be very careful since the rocks are slippery. And the rocks  are even more slippery when under a blazing sun or on a rainy day.

While you are here do not forget to see the north-facing relief sculpture of Anantashayana, the sleeping form of Vishnu.

Talking about Saharsralinga at Hampi, there's another such spot on Malyavanta Raghunatha Gudda, just behind the temple complex.

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