The Veerabhadra temple Lepakshi is located in Lepakshi in the Indian country of Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. Built-in the 16th century, the temple’s architectural characteristics are in Vijayanagara style with an abundance of sculptures and paintings on nearly every exposed temple surface. It is one of the domestic significance’s centrally protected monuments. The fresco paintings are particularly detailed from the epic stories of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas in very bright dresses and colors with scenes of Rama and Krishna and are well preserved.
There is a very big Nandi (bull), mount of Shiva, about 200 meters away from the temple, carved from a single block of stone said to be one of the biggest of its kind in the globe.
Veerabhadra temple lepakshi history:
The temple was constructed at Penukonda during King Achutaraya’s reign in 1530 by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, both brothers who were Governors under the Vijayanagar Empire. The government defrayed the expense of constructing the temple. The temple is one of the divyakshetras, Lord Shiva’s significant pilgrimage place, according to Skanda Purana.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Architecture:
The temple is of the architectural style of Vijayanagara. The primary temple consists of three components: the assembly hall known as the Mukha mantapa or Natya mantapa or Ranga mantapa; the Arda mandapa or antarala (antechamber); and the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum. Two enclosures surround the temple as an edifice. There are three gates in the outermost walled enclosure, the northern door is frequently used. The internal east gate is the entrance to the assembly hall, a big open hall built in its main portion with a big room.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Mystery:
The Swamy Temple of Veerabhadra is calm, serene and has maintained its holiness. The exterior part has a huge dance hall that supports the roof with countless pillars. The famous ‘veerabhadra temple lepakshi hanging pillar’ that doesn’t touch the temple ground at all is one corner pillar. A British engineer Hamilton, puzzled by this, attempted in 1910 to rectify this architectural aberration. Although to touch the floor, he managed to create one corner of the pillar. It resulted in a tectonic change in this exterior hall’s ceiling, with roof alignment distortion and pillars now leaning on and distorting the ceiling paintings. The engineer knew that this whole building could be ruined by any further effort instead. Further study showed that the pillar was acting as ballast on the ceiling of the hall.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Nandi:
A large granite Nandi (bull), 20 feet (6.1 m) in height and 30 feet (9.1 m) in length, covered with garlands and bells, sculpted from a single block stone, is situated about 200 meters (660 ft) from the temple facing the dragon monument in the temple precincts.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Shivalinga:
The Shivling of Lepakshi Temple You can step out in the temple courtyard from close this pillar. Now, you’re in the primary temple’s back. From here, walk to the right and once again take a turn to the right at the end. You’re going to be witnessing a huge Shivling soon. But under a multifaceted snake (the naag), the Shivling is also hooded. This is a Shivling unique.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Footprint:
The footprints of Sita inside the campus of Lepakshi Temple. Moving on, you’ll arrive at an enormous footprint on the temple floor after crossing the Kalyan Mandapa. Almost as if somebody were stamping on the ground with force. Goddess Sita is thought to have this footprint. This footprint is always moist, interestingly. You can see this foot constantly sipping and washing water from underneath.
Although this water’s origin is unknown. Yet, as it is the footstep of the divine Goddess, it is thought that water magically appears as a sign of regard for her. And you can attempt to dry the water or wipe it out, it slowly flows back into location.
It is said that they stopped at this temple for a while when Ravana abducted Goddess Sita and took her to Sri Lanka. It is thought that this is the origin of the footprint seen in the temple premises floor.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Timings:
Lepakshi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple Timings – Temple is open every day of the week from 5.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the evening. During festivals, however, timings alter.
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi From Bangalore: 2 h 21 min (122.4 km) via Bellary Rd and NH 44
