According to traditions in the Vijayanagara Kingdom, who did penance in order to marry ‘Virupaksha’?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Pampadevi
According to local traditions, Pampadevi, the local mother goddess, did penance in the hills near the Tungabhadra in order to marry Virupaksha, the guardian deity of the kingdom; this marriage is still celebrated every year in the Virupaksha temple.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.1 Choosing a capital … We now move to the rocky northern end of the city on the banks of the Tungabhadra. According to local tradition, these hills sheltered the monkey kingdom of Vali and Sugriva mentioned in the Ramayana. Other traditions suggest that Pampadevi, the local mother goddess, did penance in these hills in order to marry Virupaksha, the guardian deity of the kingdom, also recognised as a form of Shiva. To this day this marriage is celebrated annually in the Virupaksha temple. Among these hills are found Jaina temples of the pre-Vijayanagara period as well. In other words, this area was associated with several sacred traditions.…” |