Five hundred years ago and to be precise, the first week of August 1509 AD, there was a Krishnadevaraya(1509-1529), son of Narasanayaka and Nagaladevi.Krishnadevaraya is believed to have been born in 1487 AD either on Krishna Janmastami or closer to that day and hence he was given the name Krishnadevaraya. He defeated Srirangapatana,the Gajapati of Orissa, the Sultans of Golkonda and Gulbarga. At Gajapati he undertook important works of fortification and irrigation. He even took active interest in politics at Ceylon. Thus he expanded Vijayanagara kingdom to a vast empire.

Krishnadevaraya is famous in Indian history for his contributions to art,music, culture, and literature. In architecture, he was the proud builder of Krishna temple and perhaps Vithala and Hazara Rama temples. He added a mandapa to the Virupaksha temple in connection with his coronation. He also built tall Rajagopuras to many temples, excavated many tanks and built bridges.His rule saw the reign of peace and prosperity.