The existence of the temple may be traced at least to the time of Devaraya II (AD 1422-46). Though the general opinion is that the temple was neither finished nor consecrated, epigraphic and literary evidences show that it remained in worship at least till the time of the battle of 'Rakshasi tangdi'. The Vithala temple portrays the high watermark of perfection of the Vijayanagara style, and one may well say that there is no other building, which could stand comparison with it in florid magnificence.