The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed the structural remains of two ancient temples, one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and another to Lord Shiva, during ongoing excavations near the historic Jain Temple complex at Hampi in Karnataka, the agency announced on November 14.

Source: IANS

According to the ASI, the discoveries offer significant insights into regional planning, settlement patterns, and the religious and cultural life of the Vijayanagara Empire, of which Hampi was the capital.

The newly uncovered Vishnu shrine is a partially subterranean dwikuta, or two-shrined, temple complex built in the classic Vijayanagara architectural style. While its brick-built shikhara has not survived, the foundational walls, stone lintels and door jambs remain largely intact, archaeologists said.

Sculptural finds from the Vishnu complex include a headless, kneeling winged figure resembling Garuda, relief carvings of Nagadevi and Nagadeva, two Naga sculptures depicting coiled and intertwined serpents, and a stone image of Lord Vishnu in a standing posture known as Sthanaka Murti.

Alongside it, archaeologists exposed the foundational remains of a granite Shiva temple distinguished by a raised, moulded plinth and a central interior chamber, with pillars bearing motifs such as Varaha.

The excavation site lies near the Ganagitti Temple, the oldest Jain shrine at Hampi, which dates to 1386 AD. It was built during the reign of Vijayanagara ruler Bukkaraya II by his minister Iruguppa Dandanayaka, also known as Iruga, and is dedicated to Lord Kunthunatha, the 17th Tirthankara of Jainism.

Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been studied by archaeologists for decades, and the ASI said the excavation zone may reveal further remains as work continues.