The visit to this Shri Veerabhadra
Swamy Temple, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh, was a part of “Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka Heritage walk”, from 25th to 28th December
2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.
Shiva Linga canopied by a seven-hooded Naga
A replica bas-relief on a pillar
This Shri
Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and the Monolithic Rishabam / Nandi at Lepakshi are on
the tentative list of Monuments of UNESCO. The
literal meaning of the word is -Lepa + Akshi- an embalmed eye or a painted eye.
Due to several stories signifying the meaning of the name of the village, it is
difficult to understand its origin.
Moolavar: Shri Veerabhadra Swamy
Some of
the salient features of this temple are….
The temple
faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram with greevam and sigaram. Shri Veerabhadra
Swamy is in a standing posture. Papanaseswara and Raghunatha (Chenna Kesava)
shrines are on both sides of Shri Veerabhadra Swamy's sannidhi.
In subsidiary shrines for
Parvati, Ramalinga, Hanumalinga, a Chozha period Shiva Lingam, Sita Pada, plate-like carvings on the floor, A Shiva Linga under the canopy of Naga, Vinayagar
bas relief, Elephant and Snake worshipping Shiva (The sthala purana of
Jambukeswarar Temple of Thiruvanakoil), etc.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex, along with its concentric enclosure walls or prahara, is
situated on a low granite tortoise-shaped hill known as Kurmasaila. The
structures were built at three different levels or contours of the hill; each
group was enclosed by three praharas, i.e, inner, middle and outer prahara
built during three different phases. It is believed that there were seven
enclosure walls similar to those of Hampi, capital of Vijayanagara, since the
number is considered sacred in Indian civilisation.
The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam,
maha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The Vimanas of the shrines are built in
Dravidian style with two tiers. The temple is built in the trikuta style, initially
with two shrines - Veerabhadra and Papanaseswara sharing a common platform and
a pillared maha-mandapa. The third shrine was added west of the same
platform, which together forms a part of the inner prahara, dedicated to Raghunatha
(Chenna Kesava) shrines and other subsidiary shrines for Parvati, Ramalinga, and Hanumalinga.
A huge granite boulder has been incorporated within the enclosure wall.
Natya-mandapa is attached to the Maha-mandapa, common to these three shrines.
This is the most ornate structure of the temple. Its roof is painted with
panels of murals depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other Pauranic
legends. The second prahara encloses kalyana-mandapa, balipitha, vahana-mandapa
and homa mandapa. This enclosure covers almost the eighth part of the area
covered by the innermost prahara and has two entrances, one on the north and one on the south. To the south of the main shrine within the inner prahara, there is a huge
monolithic sculpture of Ganesa Linga worshipped by a spider and an elephant in a
small mandapa with two pillars known as Ganesa Mandapa.
The temple complex was further extended by the construction of water
cisterns, Somavaramandapa, Yagamandapa, and Uyalamandapa, which are enclosed by the
third prahara. This third enclosure covers two and a half times the area
covered by the second prahara. The third prahara has three entrances, one on
north, one in the east and one in the west.
To the south of the main shrine within the inner prahara, there is a huge
rock carved with Ganesa, Linga worshipped by a spider & an elephant (The
sthala purana of Jambukeswarar Temple of Thiruvanaikoil) and a huge Nagalingam,
i.e linga canopied by a seven-hooded Naga.
Spider worshipping Shiva - Kannappar worshipping Shiva - Elephant worshipping Shiva
Saptamatrikas
A lone Shiva Linga is under a mandapa. It is said that this Shiva Linga
is very old and belongs to the Chozha period. This was installed by a merchant group, and an inscription supports this.
NATYA MANDAPA SCULPTURES
The best specimens of the Vijayanagara relief sculptures are seen on the
composite pillars. The Natya mandapa pillars have the sculptures of Ramba, the
celestial dancer, and her guru, Shiva as Pichadanar, Nandi playing mrudhangam,
Natarajar, Thumburu, Brahma, Gandarvas, Kinnaras, Kimburudas, etc.
Hanging Pillar… It is claimed that a pillar of the Natya mandapa is hanging, without
touching the ground. It is not correct, a point of the pillar is touching the
mandapa floor.
NATYA MANDAPA MURALS AND PAINTINGS
With the support and help of Vijayanagara kings, Krishna Devaraya and
Achyutarya created notable development in the field of art in the empire, which
is distinctly visible in the paintings at Veerabhadra Temple mukha mandapa
ceilings. The technique used is known as Fresco-secco or painting in lime
medium on plaster. The fresco paintings on the walls and ceilings of mandapas
and pradakshina pada depict illustrations from Ramayana and Mahabharata, gods
and legendary stories like Kiratarjuniyam, Girija Kalyana, and Shiva-Parvati
marriage, different manifestations of Siva, Draupadi
Swayamvaram and Virupanna and his brothers worshipping Veerabhadra. After the
downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire, the paintings remained unattended for a long
period, resulting in damage to the paintings.
KALYANA MANDAPA
Sculpture work with different themes from Hindu mythology, pauranic
beliefs and traditions, and flora and fauna engraved on the different
components of the temple, such as pillars, ceiling of mandapas and naturally
existing granite boulders, contribute to the aesthetic value of the temple.
The Kalyana mandapa is open to the sky, and only the pillars are standing. The
pillars have the sculptures related to Shiva & Parvati’s marriage. Shiva,
Parvati (before makeup and after), Shiva’s father-in-law, Maha Vishnu, Agni,
Brahma, Ashtadikpalas on the eight directions with their vahans, etc., are on the
pillars facing the centre of the hall.
Some of the pillars have a beautiful design pattern. It is said that
these design patterns are used for weaving sarees.
Mandapa pillars
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
About 20 inscriptions are inscribed on the prahara walls of Sri
Veerabhadra temple, and the majority of these belong to the reign of Achyutaraya
Maharaya (1539-42 CE). These inscriptions throw light on the historical
evolution of the temple complex and donations in each period. The Virabhadra
temple complex, Pete on the Kurma Salla (Tortoise-shaped hill) was constructed
by Virupanna, an officer and Treasurer during the reign of Achyutaraya
(1530-1542).
An important donatory record recently discovered
belonged to the reign of Saluva Immadi Narasimha (1490-1506 C.E). The record
confirms that the Papanasesvara temple existed 50 years earlier than Virupanna.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
LEGENDS
The
significance of the place dates back to the Indian epic Ramayana. It is
believed that the bird Jatayu, wounded by the king of Lanka, Ravana, fell here
after a battle against the king, who was carrying away Sita, the wife of Rama,
the king of Ayodhya. When Rama reached the spot, he saw the bird and said
compassionately to him, “Le Pakshi” — meaning “Arise, bird” in Telugu.
The
literal meaning of the word is - Lepa + Akshi- an embalmed eye or a painted
eye. Due to several stories signifying the meaning of the name of the village,
it is difficult to understand its origin.
It is said
that after carving Naga, it was observed and the same disappeared
after the installation of Shiva Linga.
HOW TO
REACH
Lepakshi,
a village in Andhra Pradesh (5 km from the Karnataka border) is on the Chilamathur
– Hindupuram main road, 14 km from Hindupuram Railway Station, 126 km from
Bengaluru, and 193 km from Kadapa.
The
nearest Railway Station is Hindupuram.
Sita's Pada
A rare bas-relief of three clowns
Vijayanagara's iconic Herdsman
Vamana
A rare sculpture of Vimanam thangis- Here they support the kapotam of a Natya mandapa adhistanam
Kiratha- Arjuna fights for a pig
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
