question_answer

Identify the rituals and practices associated with the Mahanavami Dibba, a structure in the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.

Or

Outline the distinctive features of the Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala temple in the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.

Answer:

The Mahanavami Dibba is located on one of the highest points in the city. It is a very large platform rising from a base of about 11000 feet to a height of 40 feet. It seems that it supported the wonder structure.

Rituals and Practices:

(i) Rituals associated with the structure must have coincided with Mahanavami of ten day hindu festival during the autumn months of September and October, known variously as Dushehra (North India), Durga Puja (West Bengal) and Navratri (Peninsular India).

(ii) Ceremonies performed on the occasion included worship of image, worship of state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals.

(iii) Dances, wrestling, procession of horse elephants and chariots as ritual presentation before the king.

(iv) On the last day of festival, the king inspected his army and armies of nayaks in a grand ceremony in an open field.

Or

Features of Virupaksha and Vitthala temples:

Virupaksha temple:

(i) It is built over centuries, may be during ninth or tenth centuries as suggested in the inscription.

(ii) It is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, the guardian diety of kingdom.

(iii) It is decorated with carved pillars.

(iv) There are many big halls which are used for marriages, social programmes and other social occasions.

Vitthala Temple:

(i) The Principal deity of this important shrine is Vitthala, a form of Lord Vishnu.

(ii) Temple has several halls and a unique shrine designed as chariot.

(iii) A feature of temple complexes is the chariot streets that extended from temple gopuram in a straight line.

(iv) These streets were paved with stone slabs and lined with pillared pavilions in which merchants set up their shops.