Virupaksha temple towers in Hampi get a fresh coat of paint

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken work to give a new look to the towers of the Virupaksheshwara temple in Hampi.

Workers have begun the painting work at the Bishwappaiah tower in the temple. A total of 15 workers from Tamil Nadu are doing the work that requires deft movement of the hands. This is because the structures contain fine carvings and the work must be done with great care and at a slow pace.

Workers stand on temporary bamboo structures to do the painting work. Natural yellow paint is being used for giving a new look to the tower, whose paint has vanished due to sun and rain. For one-and-a-half months, the workers removed the weeds and algae that had appeared on the structure.

The painting work will next be undertaken on the Raya and North gopurams, a senior ASI officer told DH. The ASI will also begin work to channelise rainwater that flows from the nearby Hemakuta hill, through stormwater drains constructed during the Vijayanagar period. Green carpets will be laid next in the surroundings of the Ugra Narasimha idol as part of the refurbishing works in the heritage town.

All this will be done by ensuring that no structure is harmed, the officer said. He said the temple’s towers were painted last in 1982. The Virupaksheshwara temple is among the most visited monuments in the town. A number of devotees from far and wide visit the temple new moon day and full moon day for special pujas.