Hanuman in action

Mahamandapa of Vitthala Temple, Vijayanagara (plan)

The Mahamandapa, although a physically continuous structure, is divided into four "halls" for convenience of description. Its east hall is decorated with sculptures of musicians. The south hall features sculptures of yalis. In the north hall are sculptures and reliefs of Narasimha. The west hall is collapsed.

The unbeatable Hanuman takes on several foes at once in this lively scene. Evidently he is as good with his tail (see the enemies, seized above) as with his hands (grabbing the victim, photo left, and preparing to bash him with his mighty fist, photo right). If the much-loved Hanuman story has a flaw as literature, it is probably that the monkey general is so strong that everything is too easy for him.