Correct Option
The correct option is Virupaksha.
Explanation
The location of the Vijayanagara capital, Hampi, was chosen partly due to its sacred geography. The site is traditionally associated with the local mother goddess, Pampadevi, and the guardian deity of the kingdom, Lord Virupaksha.
Detailed Analysis
- The Tradition of Penance: According to local tradition, the goddess Pampadevi performed severe penance in the hills of Hampi to marry Virupaksha.
- Identity of the Deities: Virupaksha is a form of Lord Shiva and was regarded as the guardian deity of the Vijayanagara Empire. Pampadevi is identified with the river Tungabhadra (Pampa).
- Cultural Significance: This tradition symbolizes the integration of local folk beliefs (Pampadevi) with the greater Brahmanical or Puranic tradition (Virupaksha/Shiva). The annual marriage of these deities is still celebrated in the Virupaksha temple.
- Royal Patronage: The Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of Lord Virupaksha, often using the signature "Sri Virupaksha" in the Kannada script on their royal orders.
Key Takeaway: The sacred landscape of Hampi is defined by the mythological marriage between the local goddess Pampadevi and the kingdom's guardian deity, Virupaksha (Shiva).