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Sightseeing Highlights
The Veerabhadra Temple is the highlight of Lepakshi. A
tour of the temple starts at the monolith of Nagalingeswara, opposite the potu
rooms or the kitchen. The temple is divided into three parts - the 'Mukha
Mandapa', (also called 'Nitya Mandapa' or 'Ranga Mandapa'), the 'Artha Mandapa'
and 'Garbha Griha'. The 'Kalyana Mandapa', with 38 carved monolithic pillars in
grey sandstone is unfinished. These three form a triangle with a common
Mandapam. As per local legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were married on the spot
where the Kalyana Mandapa stands. The best specimens of the
Vijayanagar style of sculpture and mural paintings are found in the Natya and
Kalyana Mandapams (dance and wedding halls).
Inside the temple complex lies the Nandi Bull. In fact it
is one of the first things to catch one’s attention while visiting the complex.
Made up of single granite stone, the bull statue is of great historical and
religious importance in Hindu mythology as it is said to be the vehicle of Lord
Shiva.
Lepakshi
is also famous for the seven-hooded
coiled serpent carved out of a single stone. A lingam in black stone is
placed in the hollow of the coils.
Other Activities
Lepakshi
is a thriving silk centre, famous for its silk saris with artificial zari
borders. Plenty of power looms work in the small by lanes of the town.
Handicrafts, especially wood carvings are popular in Lepakshi.
The
historic town of Lepakshi,
located in Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh is particularly famous for its
Vijaynagar style temples, and is an important place from the historical,
archaeological and religious point of view. The famous Veerabhadra Temple
built in the Vijayanagara style is the main attraction. Lepakshi is easily accessible from Tirupati and is about
140 kms from Bangalore.
Though the temple
of Veerabhadra is claimed
to have been constructed by Saint Agastya himself, it was developed into the
present exquisite shrine by Virupanna, the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Kings. Mythology
states that Lepakshi is the place where Jatayu fell, wounded by Ravana while
abducting Sita. Rama is said to have commanded the bird to rise — Le Pakshi,
and hence the name. There
is a huge statue of Nandi (Shiva’s bull) found here which is said to be the biggest monolithic Nandi in India. The splendor and the
gaiety of the architecture of the temple attract thousands of tourists to this
town each year.
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