Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple

Situated atop Malyavanta Hill in Hampi, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka, this ancient pilgrimage centre holds immense spiritual and historical significance.

The temple is an ASI protected monument and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Hampi, making it a must-visit for devotees and history enthusiasts alike.

The temple enshrines Lord Rama as the primary deity, with Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and Lord Shiva also worshipped within its sacred precincts.

Built during the illustrious Vijayanagara period by King Krishnadevaraya, the temple’s architecture and serene hilltop setting offer a tranquil atmosphere for prayer and meditation.

The temple is renowned for its continuous Ramcharitmanas chanting, which takes place 24/7, enveloping the surroundings in devotional fervor. Devotees can partake in free darshan during the temple’s open hours, which are from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Morning and evening poojas are performed daily, and a special pooja is conducted during Ramanavami, the major annual festival celebrated in March-April. Prasadam is distributed after the morning and evening poojas, and simple meals are sometimes offered during festivals such as Ramanavami.

Rituals and poojas are conducted in Kannada and Sanskrit, maintaining the temple’s traditional sanctity.

Visitors are advised to adhere to the temple’s dress code: men should wear formal or traditional attire such as dhoti, kurta-pyjama, or pants and shirts, while women are recommended to wear sarees, salwar kameez, or churidars with a dupatta.

Shorts, mini-skirts, and sleeveless tops are not permitted. Reaching Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple is convenient. The nearest railway station is Hosapete Junction (HPT), 13 km away.

From Hosapete, taxis or auto-rickshaws can take you to Hampi, and from there, the temple is about 2.5 km from Kamalapura and 6 km southeast of Hampi Bazaar. A motorable ghat road leads up Malyavanta Hill, with ample parking available at the base and vehicle access up to the top.

Accommodation options are plentiful in Kamalapura, Hampi Bazaar, Anegundi/Hampi Island, and Hosapete. Nearby attractions include Sita Devi Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Hazara Raama Temple, Lotus Mahal & Elephant Stables, Vijaya Vitthala Temple (Stone Chariot), and Matanga Hill.

Photography is allowed in the temple’s outer areas, but strictly prohibited inside the main sanctum. The best times to visit are during winter (November–February), early mornings, or during evening aarti, when the temple’s spiritual ambiance is at its peak.