Rare Alvar idol remains unearthed at Hampi excavation

Hampi (Vijayanagara): Broken remains of two Alvar idols were unearthed during excavation on the northern side of the Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi, officials said.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) superintendent K Ramakrishna Reddy said no Alvar idols had been found in earlier excavations in Hampi, and the latest discovery could shed new light on Vijayanagara-era history.

“Usually, 12 to 13 Alvar idols are installed in Vishnu temples. It cannot be said at this stage whether more idol remains will be found,” he said.

Reddy said thousands of idols and sculptures were damaged in Hampi after the 1565 Battle of Talikote and the subsequent invasion by Bahmani sultans. Vaishnavite temples were among the main targets. Though several broken idols had been found earlier, remains of Alvar idols have been discovered for the first time, he added.

State Tourist Guides’ Association general secretary Virupakshi V Hampi said the find indicated that Vaishnavite temples in Hampi were influenced by traditions from Tamil Nadu. He said the idols and ruins in the region reflected the grandeur of the Vijayanagara period.

The 12 Alvars are revered saints associated with the spread of Vaishnavism and devotion to Lord Vishnu, particularly in South India. Historical records indicate that during the reign of Vijayanagara rulers, especially Krishnadevaraya and Achyutaraya of the Tuluva dynasty, Vaishnavism received royal patronage.

Alvar idols were installed in major Vishnu temples in Hampi, including the Vijaya Vittala Temple, Krishna Temple, Achyutaraya Temple and Hazara Rama Temple, where daily rituals and festivals were conducted.

Several inscriptions in Hampi mention donations made for offerings, lamps and special festivals linked to Alvar idols. However, there was no prior evidence of independent Alvar idols at the Hazara Rama Temple. Until now, only relief sculptures on pillars and walls were seen as references to the Alvars.

The temple has four polished black stone pillars carved with depictions of Vishnu’s Dashavatara and prominent Vaishnavite devotees. Relief sculptures of Alvars in folded-hand posture are seen at different levels of the pillars, while some inscriptions on the temple walls are in Tamil.

Officials said the excavation suggests that independent metal and stone Alvar idols at the Hazara Rama Temple were either destroyed, looted or buried during the destruction that followed the Battle of Talikote.