Ornate Sculpted Columns, Ranga Mantapa In Vijaya Vitthala Or Vittala Temple. Hampi, Near Hospete, Karnataka, India Editorial Image

The Ranga Mantapa is part of the ShreeVijaya Vittala Temple and well-known for its 56 musical pillars, also known as SaReGaMa pillars. These have been attributed to the musical notes rising out of them. One can actually hear the musical notes if they tap the pillars gently. There is a set of main pillars and many smaller ones at the mantapa.The Vijaya Vitthala or Vittala Temple complex was built in the 15th century during the rule of Devaraya II, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Temple contains the main hall or Maha Mandapa, Devi Shrine, Kalyana Mantapa, Ranga Mantapa, Utsava Mantapa and the Stone Chariot.Vittala is also said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As per the legends, the temple was built for Lord Vishnu in his Vittala form, but when he found that the temple was very grand in nature, he returned to live in his modest home in Pandharpur.