Shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, is a beautiful and historic temple that dates back to the 16th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a fierce and powerful incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Shiva.

It is one of the most spectacular Vijayanagara temples and is one of the most centrally protected monuments of national significance.

The Veerabhadra Swami temple recently added to UNESCO’s tentative list of world heritage sites in India for 2022, is a magnificent example of Vijayanagara architecture.

Location: Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Main Deity: Veerabhadra Swamy

Mysterious thing: The hanging wall

The hanging pillar is one of the most remarkable features of the temple and attracts visitors worldwide.

Two brothers, Viranna and Virupanna, built the Veerabhadra Temple.

The temple was constructed in the Vijayanagar architectural style and featured beautiful wall sculptures.

The temple is located on the southern side of Lepakshi town, on a low altitude hillock with a large exposure of granite rock shaped like a tortoise, and is thus known as Kurma Saila.

In the sanctum sanctorum, the presiding deity is a near-life-size image of Veerabhadra, fully armed and adorned with skulls.

The original structure is said to have been built by Sage Agastya and finds mention in the Skanda Purana as one of the 108 Saivaite pilgrimage centers of ancient India.

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Virupanna and his brother Veeranna are credited with rebuilding the entire temple complex during the reign of Vijayanagara king Achyuta Devaraya.

The temple contains the Moortis of Ganesha, Nandi, Veerabhadra, Shiva, Bhadrakali, Vishnu, and Lakshmi.

It is also believed that Pakshi Jatayu fell here after his battle with Ravana to save Mata Sita. Lord Rama is said to have said to the brave bird, “Le Pakshi” — “rise, bird” in Telugu.

The most interesting factors that attract the devotees 

The Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, is famous for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings, including the 70 pillars in its main hall.

70 Pillars in the Temple

These pillars are known for their unique design and intricate carvings, which depict various mythological scenes and stories from the Hindu epics.

Each of the 70 pillars in the temple is carved from a single stone block. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of gods, goddesses, mythical creatures, and scenes from Hindu mythology, including the story of the churning of the ocean of milk, the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and the life of Lord Rama.

One of the most famous pillars in the temple is the hanging pillar, which is suspended in mid-air and does not touch the ground.

It is said that the British tried to dislodge the pillar during the colonial era but were unsuccessful.

The 70 pillars in the Lepakshi temple are a testament to the incredible skill and craftsmanship of the ancient Indian artisans and architects.

They continue to fascinate visitors from around the world and are considered one of the architectural wonders of India.

Hanging pillar

The hanging pillar is a unique feature of the Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. The hanging pillar is one of the most remarkable features of the temple and attracts visitors worldwide.

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The hanging pillar is a stone column suspended in mid-air without any support. The pillar is in the temple’s main hall, supported by 70 pillars, each intricately carved with stories and motifs from Hindu mythology. The hanging pillar is one of these 70 pillars.

The hanging pillar is about 4.5 meters tall and carved from a single granite block. It is estimated to weigh around 5 tons.

The post is not fixed to the ground and appears to hang in the air. You can pass a piece of cloth or paper underneath the pillar, a sign of good luck.

The hanging pillar has puzzled visitors and engineers for centuries. Several theories have been proposed to explain how the pillar hangs without support, but they have yet to be thoroughly proven.

One theory is that the pillar was suspended using a system of iron or wooden beams that have since rusted or decayed.

Another theory suggests that the pillar is standing on a perfectly balanced rock or pivot, which allows it to hang in mid-air.

Regardless of the explanation, the hanging pillar remains one of the most fascinating and mysterious features of the Lepakshi temple and continues to amaze visitors today.

There are two parks near the Lepakshi temple: Nandi Park and Jatayu Park.

Nandi Park has located about 2 km from the Lepakshi temple. It is named after the giant Nandi statue (a sacred bull and mount of Lord Shiva) located within the park.

It has beautiful gardens, fountains, and walking trails, making it an ideal picnic or stroll spot.

Jatayu Park is about 8 km from the Lepakshi temple. The park is named after the legendary bird Jatayu from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The park is home to various flora and fauna. It has a giant statue of Jatayu (which is said to be the giant bird statue in the world), a museum, and a multi-purpose theatre.

Jatayu Park also has several adventure activities, such as zip-lining, rock climbing, and rappelling, making it a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts.

The park also has a meditation and yoga center, which offers various courses and workshops on spirituality and wellness.

In summary, Nandi Park and Jatayu Park are popular tourist attractions near the Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh. 

While Nandi Park is known for its gardens and walking trails, Jatayu Park is a nature park that offers adventure activities and spiritual retreats.

Kalyana mandapam , Natya mandapam and Latha Mandapam

Virupanna did not complete the Kalyana mandapam because the temple was constructed without the king’s approval, and also used the king’s funds to build this temple. 

When the king learned about this, Virupanna punished himself by removing both his eyes and throwing them on the walls of the Kalyana mandapam. 

Today also, we can see the blood spots on the walls. Shiva Parvati’s marriage is clearly explained on the walls.

The Kalyana Mandapam is a traditional wedding hall located in the temple complex. The Kalyana Mandapam is a large hall with beautifully carved pillars and ceilings.

It is used for traditional Hindu weddings and other auspicious events like engagement ceremonies and religious functions. 

The Natya Mandapam, also known as the Dance Hall, is adjacent to the Kalyana Mandapam. It was built by Veeranna and is famous for its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture. 

The Natya Mandapam was used for traditional dance performances and other cultural events during the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Natya Mandapam has a unique feature: the central ceiling of the hall is carved with a lotus flower that appears to be hanging upside down.

This is known as the “Lepakshi hanging pillar” and is a marvel of ancient Indian engineering.

It is also believed that this hanging pillar is built so that if any natural disaster happens, it will touch the ground and protect the rest of the pillars so the temple will not get destroyed.

The ceilings are painted with the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Today, the Natya Mandapam is used for various cultural events and performances, and it remains an essential part of the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh.

Latha mandapam

Latha mandapam designs on the walls are so famous as they are still used on sarees design.

Sita devi footprint

When we come out of the temple, we can see sita devi footprints, and besides that, we can see big plates designed on the rocks. It is also believed the sculptures ate food on those plates.

The Seetha Devi Footprint is one of the significant attractions of the Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh, India.

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Hindu god Lord Rama and his wife Seetha Devi had visited the Lepakshi temple during their exile in the forest.

The Seetha Devi Footprint is carved on a rock inside the temple complex. The carving depicts the footprint of Seetha Devi, which is said to have been made when she stopped to rest during her visit to the temple.

The Seetha Devi Footprint is a symbol of the divine presence and is revered by devotees who come to the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess.

The carving is surrounded by other carvings and sculptures that depict scenes from Hindu mythology, including the life of Lord Rama.

Visitors to the Lepakshi temple should take advantage of the opportunity to see the Seetha Devi Footprint and other ancient carvings and sculptures in the temple complex.

The temple is not only a spiritual destination but also an architectural marvel and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India.

Nandi

About 200 meters (660 ft) away from the temple, A massive granite Nandi (bull) carved out of a single block stone, 20 feet (6.1 m) in height and 30 feet (9.1 m) in length, is located about 200 meters (660 ft) from the temple, facing the statue of the serpent in the temple precincts.

This monolithic sculpture is a one-of-a-kind example. It faces west and faces the Naga Linga at Sri Veerabhadra temple.

A basaltic Shiva Linga thatch roof by a monolithic statue of a seven-hooded Naga stands on the eastern face of a granite boulder in a second enclosure.

Mystery of Famous shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi

The Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is serene and peaceful and has maintained its holiness. The exterior has a massive dance hall that is supported by numerous pillars.

One corner pillar is the famous’veerabhadra temple lepakshi hanging pillar’, which does not touch the temple ground.

Perplexed by this, a British engineer named Hamilton attempted to correct the architectural anomaly in 1910. Despite his inability to touch the floor, he created one corner of the pillar.

This caused a tectonic shift in the ceiling of the exterior hall, causing the pillars to lean on and warp the ceiling paintings and distorting the alignment of the roof.

The engineer understood that any additional work could endanger the entire structure. Further investigation revealed that the pillar supported the hall’s ceiling by serving as ballast.

The legend of Famous shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi

The significance of the location can be traced back to the Indian epic Ramayana. It is said that the bird Jatayu, wounded by the king of Lanka Ravana, fell here after a battle with the king who was carrying away Sita, the wife of Rama, the king of Ayodhya. When Rama arrived at the location, he saw the bird and compassionately said, “Le Pakshi,” — which means “arise, bird” in Telugu.

Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Eka Shila Nagalinga

The Veerabhadra temple complex in Lepakshi is a Vijayanagara architectural marvel. This temple contains massive structures carved from a single granite boulder, intricately carved pillars, and other figures. One such imposing structure is the Nagalilnga on the temple’s outer enclosure.

The Shiva linga here is adorned with naga prabhavali, three-coiled and seven-hooded. The naga prabhavali forms a protective canopy over the black granite Shiva linga.

This magnificent monolithic sculpture stands 15 feet tall and is the largest in India. The entire structure is built on a raised platform, making you feel small in comparison.

According to legend, sculptors carved this structure out of a single granite boulder in one hour while their mother cooked lunch.

When their mother finished cooking, she saw this unique sculpture, praised her sons/sculptors, and soon a crack appeared at the base caused by her “evil eye.” Listening to this narrative from the tourist guides in this temple is more dramatic.

The Nagalinga with seven hoods

The Nagalinga with seven hoods represents the Naga loka’s seven great Nagarajas (serpent kings): Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Maha Padma, Sankhapala, and Kulika.

History of Famous shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi

The temple was built at Penukonda during King Achutaraya’s reign in 1530 by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, both Vijayanagar Empire Governors.

The government covered the cost of building the temple. According to the Skanda Purana, the temple is one of the divyakshetras or important pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva.

 The temple was built to commemorate the visit of Lord Rama and his wife, Seetha Devi, during their exile in the forest.

The Architecture of Famous shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi

The temple is built in the Vijayanagara architectural style. The main temple comprises three parts: the Mukha mandapa, Natya mandapa, and Ranga mandapa assembly halls, the Arda mandapa or antarala (antechamber), and the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum.

As an edifice, the temple is surrounded by two enclosures. The northern door is the most frequently used of the three gates in the outermost walled enclosure.

The internal east gate leads to the assembly hall, a large open hall with a large room in its central portion.

Festivals

Mahasivaratri and Durgamma Festival are two festivals that are observed in Lepakshi temples.

Timings

The temple is open daily from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Timings change during festivals.

How to reach

The best way to reach Lepakshi is by road as it is well connected with major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Anantapur.

If you are traveling from Bangalore, you can take NH44 and NH7 and cover a distance of around 120 km. If you are traveling from Hyderabad, you can take NH44 and cover a distance of around 350 km.

If you prefer to travel by train, the nearest railway station is Hindupur, which is around 15 km away from Lepakshi. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Lepakshi.

If you are coming by air, the nearest airport is Bangalore International Airport, which is around 100 km away from Lepakshi. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Lepakshi.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shiva temple VeerabhadraSwamy Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, India, is a magnificent ancient temple dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and beautiful paintings.

The temple symbolizes India’s rich cultural heritage and is considered one of the country’s most important cultural sites.

The festivals celebrated at the temple are a testament to the intense spiritual beliefs and traditions of the people of India. Visiting Lepakshi Temple is a religious experience and an opportunity to witness and appreciate ancient India’s artistic and architectural achievements.

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