The Vijayanagara kingdom (1336-1565), famous for its political, military, cultural history, etc., is also known for its temples located separately in the sacred space, which is demarcated along the royal side. The Ramachandra Temple (also known as Hazara Rama Temple), apart from Virupaksha Temple, is another famous marvel built during the reign of Devaraya I (r.1406-1422).
This book is based upon studies conducted around the Ramachandra Temple complex by scholars across various fields. Authored by many scholars, this book contains themes based on research, such as archaeology, architectural history, urban history, inscriptions and sculptures inside the temple complex, and carvings made of rock and granite, which are based upon the Ramayana themes.
This book is very important to study the history of Rama worship in medieval South India, and it has a long association with the Mahanavami festival, which is held during the Navaratri season.
Preface and Acknowledgements
Urban Context, John M. Fritz 3
Historical Context, George Michell 17
Inscriptions, S. Rajasekhara 27
Architecture, George Michell 33
Sculpture, Anna L. Dallapiccola 81
Bibliography 305
John M. Fritz is an anthropologist and archaeologist. He joined George Michell and Anna Dallapicolla at Hampi for Vijayanagara Research Project (1981-2002). He is associated with the UPenn Museum.
George Michell is a scholar in South Asian architecture and the founder and trustee of the Deccan Heritage Foundation. He received his Ph.D. from SOAS, London focussing on Chalukyan temples. His main specialization is on Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi and other places. He has published over 50 books, including The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India: Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, etc.
Anna Dallapicolla obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in Indian art history. She is a former Professor of Indian Art at the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University (1971-1995). She is a participant in the Vijayanagara Research Project (1984-2001). She has authored books like The Great Platform at Vijayanagara (2010), Kalamkari Temple Hangings (2015), and Thanjavur Gilded Gods, co-authored with Kuldip Singh and R.G. Singh (2018).
S. Rajasekhara is a former Professor of History and Archaeology at Karnatak University, Dharwad. He has written extensively on the art-historical aspects of Karnataka. His publications include Holalagundi Paintings (1982), Masterpieces of Vijayanagara Art (1983), Karnataka Architecture (1985), Early Chalukya Art at Aihole (1986), and Rashtrakuta Art in Karnataka (1991).
M.S. Nagaraja Rao (1932-2011) was an epigraphist and archaeologist and served as the Director General of ASI from 1984-87, trained under the Indian archaeologist M.N. Deshpande. He was involved in the excavation of Hampi ruins from 1979 to 1988.
