The Ancient Veerabadra Temple with amazing attractions and sculptures in India
The Ancient Veerabhadra temple with amazing attractions
The Shiva Ling
Lepakshi is a place of cultural, religious, and archaeological significance. This Temple is located in Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. According to great Ramayana when Ravana abducted Seetha and on his way to Lanka. The Demigod in vulture form called “Jatayu” tried to save Seetha from Ravana. However, Jatayu was injured by the Ravana and plunged upon the ground.
When lord Rama met the time Jatayu, Rama helped him to attain moksha by uttering the words “Le Pakshi” which means rise bird in the Telugu language. Hence the name Lepakshi.
Legend says this incredible temple was built in 1583 by the two brothers Viranna and Virupanna who were the governors under the Vijayanagara empire during the reign of King Achyutaraya. The main attraction of this temple is a Shiva Linga seated on a seven hooded snake. This temple is one of the most examples of the Vijayanagara architectural style.
The Nandi
Just before 200 meters the temple there is a huge Nandi (the bull) idol with 15 feet height and 27 feet wide, Idol is so spectacular with finely carved bells and ornaments. This Nandi faces the Veerabhadra temple. In every Lord Shiva temple, we can see the Nandi idol in front of Shiva idol.
The Hanging Pillar
There are totally 70 pillars in the temple. we can see the most magnificently carved sculptures on the pillars, here we have a big wonder out of 70 pillars there is one pillar is hangs from the ceiling, this is one of the main attractions in the temple. we can pass the objects like a thin paper or a piece of cloth under the pillar from one side to another side. when British ruled India, they tried to find the secrets behind these hanging pillar. A British engineer tried to move the hanging pillar to know the secret of this architecture by the time the pillar was slightly dislodged from its original position. But that engineer did not found any secret about the architecture.
The Lord Ganesha
At the centre of the temple we can see the spectacular Lord Ganesh idol.
The Incomplete Kalyana mantapa
There are two red blotches in the southern wall of the incomplete kalyana mantapa (marriage hall). According to legend this blood blotches belongs to Veerupanna. because without the king’s Achyutaraya permission Veerupanna started the construction of this temple with kingdom treasure. when construction was under the kalyana mantapa some adversaries of Veerupanna brought this news to king Achyutaraya. by knowing that the king will punish him, Veerupanna punished himself by throwing his eyes to the wall. Still those eye blood stains remains on the wall.
Seetha Footprint
There is a large footprint in the temple’s courtyard. Legend says this is a footprint of Seetha. When Ravana abducted Seetha and on his way to Sri Lanka, Seetha put her foot on the land in an attempt to break from the bilboes of Ravana. Magically this footprint will always filled with some water.
