'6.7 metres high Lakshmi Narasimha Statue (1528 AD), Hampi, Karnatka, India' - by K J S Chatrath

The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is one of the most imposing sculptures found in the ruined town of Hampi. The speciality of the sculpture is that it is the largest monolith statue in Hampi. The statue is located on the southern side of the Hemakuta group of temples that stand on the Hemakuta Hill. The unique feature of the statue is the bulging eyes of Narasimha.It is really amazing to note that such a huge sculpture was crafted from a single boulder of granite.
The original sculpture had a small figure of Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Narasimha, sitting on his lap. The gigantic statue was vandalized and mutilated in 1565 A.D. during the raid by the Mughals that led to the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire. Now the damaged statue of Lakshmi resides at the Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura.
According to Hindu mythology, Narasimha is the fourth incarnation of Vishnu and appeared on earth in the form of half human (nara) and half lion (simha). Narasimha is believed to have the face and claws of a lion, and torso and lower body of a human. As such, the huge statue in the Lakshmi Narasimha temple of Hampi has the face of a lion and the body of a human. The mane and the wide jaw of Narasimha clearly express the features of a lion.
This magnificent monolithic Lakshima Narshima, the fourth incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu, stands at a height of 6.7 metres (21.98 feet). In this fine example of Vijaynagara sculpture, Narashima is seated on the giant coils of Adishesha the sacred guardian snake of Vishnu its seven hoods acting as canopy arched by a Kirtimukha Torana in front.
The roof of the chamber enshrining the statue is missing which has led to much of weathering and damage to this monolithic sculpture. The four arms of the statue with its various attributes have got broken and the seated figure of his consort Lakshmi on his left lap is missing. The face too has got damaged which mislead people into believing that is twas ugranarshihma or Angry Narashim. The presence of the right hand of the goddess embracing the Lord at the back is proof of it being Lakshmi Narshima. This statue was consecrated by Priest Krishnabhatta at the behest of Krishnadevaraya in 1528 AD as per the lithic record nearby. Hampi is an ancient village with no airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the closest town that has an airport is around 64 km from Hampi. Visitors can take a flight to Ballari and then reach Hampi by means of local transport. The nearest railway station is situated in the city of Hospet at a distance of around 10 km from Hampi. One of the simple ways to reach Hampi from Hosapete is to travel through a bus. (Text based on write-up by Archeological Survey of India available at the site andd internet sources.)

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