Indian mythology is filled with interesting stories. To pass down the stories and keep them alive, many temples were built – all of them holding a piece of the lore. Such is the Veerabhadra Temple of Lepakshi village in Andhra Pradesh. From the architecture to its history, it’s filled with mysteries that will intrigue your mind. Let’s do a digital visit of the Lepakshi Temple, so you can plan a trip later.
History Of Lepakshi Temple
As (his)story goes, the treasurer of the Vijayanagara Empire, Virupanna had to go blind to atone for his crime by building the Veerabhadra temple. He did not have permission from the king to construct the temple and the king took great offense to it. Even the word Lepakshi can be broken into two words Lape-Akshi which translates to ‘Village of the Blind’.
Architecture Of Lepakshi Temple
It’s believed that the temple was built three times, all in different periods between 1100 CE to 1800 CE. The entire temple is built in the shape of a tortoise, also known as Kurmsaila and is placed on a low hill. It also follows the Trikuta style – meaning it has three shrines.
A striking feature of the Veerabhadra Temple is the pillars. Some of them have scenes from Indian epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana inscribed on them. Some have carved figures of gods, goddesses, dancers, and musicians – also referred to as Natya-mandapam. Another reason for the pillars to be the talk of this temple is because of the Hanging Pillar. We’ll circle to that one in a bit.
Devotees and travelers from all around the world are also mesmerized by humongous figure of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The statue Nandi is made entirely out of granite and is adorned with bells, garlands, and ornaments.
This is considered to be one of the largest figures of Nandi in India. Another key highlight of the temple is the Shiva Linga. It’s an architectural marvel as the linga is made out of a huge stone boulder and is shielded by a seven-hooded Naga (snake).
Mysteries Of Lepakshi Temple
Let’s start with the most fascinating mystery – The Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi. This renowned pillar is inside a grand hall and is supported by 70 other pillars. It’s believed that one particular pillar defies gravity itself and doesn’t touch the ground. Although difficult to see with the naked eye, many people have passed through thin sheets of paper and sticks and they’ve successfully slid those things! To this day, it’s still unexplained and astonishing that the pillar has managed to “float” all these years!
Don’t be surprised when you’re exploring the temple and come across a giant footprint. The jury is still out on whether the footprint belongs to Sita or Hanuman, but the hollow space in the ground is always filled with water. Locals think that it’s a sign of respect and keeping the footprint clean.
Summing Up
The Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi is a wonder you don’t want to miss. From unfinished architecture to minute details from mythology, the temple has it all. Visiting the temple will not only refresh you spiritually but also get your brain curious about everything that went into the making of this temple and all the stories that come along with it. You can even try to solve the many mysteries.
FAQs
What Is Lepakshi Temple Famous For?
Lepakshi Temple is famous for The Hanging Pillar and the humongous Nandi and Shiva Linga.
Which God Is There In Lepakshi Temple?
Lepakshi Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s fierce avatar Veerabhadra. Along with that, there’s also an idol of Ganesha in the temple.
