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The sculptural
beauty of the pillars is amazing. Ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four
Corners of the mandapam in the form of a chain are a delightful spectacle. All the pillars
contain marvelous specimens of Vijayanagar art from top to bottom. There are carvings
depicting different legends from Hindu mythology and forms of dancing damsels in various
poses. The cavalcade of marching soldiers, the baffling and intricate physical feats as
shown in a circus by a number of men and women and monkeys, are vivid portrayals of the
socio-physical culture of the time. The sculptors were postmasters in depicting life-like
figures with their crude chisel on black granite. The scenes remain as sharp as when they
came out of the sculptor's dexterous hands and still remain a marvel to the sightseers
even centuries after. It may verily be called the Museum of Vijayanagar Art and Sculpture.
Coming to the religious sanctity of the place, it
is said that the town contains 18 Tirupatis praised by Vaishnavite Alwars. The
Varadarajaswami temple itself contains three sacred places of puranic importance; first,
the shrine of the presiding deity, Lord Varadaraja, the second, the shrine Lord Yoga
Narasimhaswamy in the cave below Hastigiri Hill, and the third, the shrine of Sri
Perundevi Tayar, consort of Lord Varadaraja.
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