Krishna Temple, Hampi

Krishna Temple, also called Balakrishna Temple, belongs to the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments at Hampi. Krishnadevaraya founded it in 1513 to mark his defeat of the eastern kingdom of Udayagiri, and dedicated it to Krishna as a child. The original image of Balakrishna was later removed and is now kept in the state museum in Chennai.

The grounds hold pillared halls and smaller shrines, and inscriptions are cut into the walls of the gateway tower. Yalis rear up on the pillars and carved elephants flank the hall entrances, while the eastern tower is heavily sculpted. Unusually, epic stories are told in relief on the walls, and local guides repeat a legend that names the site as the birthplace of temple music.