📍 🇮🇳 Wedding at Virupaksha Temple

A recent Foci-visit to the Medieval ruins of Viajayanagara led to a traditional wedding setup right in the temple complex. Wedding is called 'Kalyanam' in Southern India, which is best translated as “Servant of Prosperity” in the English language.

The temple complexes from the 7th century CE has “kalyana mandapas” (marriage halls). All the temples at Hampi have them too and some of them are still actively used. Many of these temples adorn the images of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati's marriage. Weddings sometimes take place in a beautiful eco-friendly banana branch-leaf altar (see picture).

Above the altar, the ceiling adorns Siva wedding frescoes. This memorable wedding brought back the glory of the mighty Vijayanagara empire - the way it once may have looked.