Aug 16, 2025

Saraswati Devastana 2, Hampi

 In Hampi there are two Saraswati temples. Saraswati temple-1 is situated approximately 300m south of Krishna Devastana. Saraswati temple-2, a northwest facing temple with three entrances situated on a rocky mound opposite the Octagonal water pavilion.

A board posted next to the monument describes it as follows:
The temple originally Vaishnava, referred to as Tiruvengalanatha in the temple inscription of 1554 AD. Came to be known as of Sarasvathi in later times. The temple faces north and on plan has a Garbhagriha, an Antarala and a Mahamantapa. The Mahamantapa has entrances on the north, east and south. The pillars in the Mahamantapa have bas reliefs of Bala Krishna, Ganesha, Hanuman and Gopika Vastrapaharana. Over the Garbhagriha rises a two-tiered superstructure built of brick & mortar with stucco figures of Balakrishna, Narasimhа еtс.

That's my friend Sridhar standing next to the temple's Garbhagriha. It's an inactive temple, meaning there's no deity in the sanctum.

Certain parts of this four and half century structure had collapsed. It has been restored to the present condition by ASI.

As you see, original building blocks are missing and smaller blocks have been used to restore the structure.

In front of this temple is a manmade dirt platform with a retaining wall.

Do check out the list of monuments at What to see in Hampae.

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