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Lepakshi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple
And other Vijayanagar style architectural marvels at Lepakshi, in Anantapur district , Andhra Pradesh
Lepakshi temple, one which is famous for its rich fine artsand architectural beauty, is situated in Ananthapur district 120 kms away fromthe district headquarters and 12 kms from Hindupur. The carvings on stone atLepakshi Temple are of such mesmeric quality that one is left wondering at themind boggling talent of the sculptors. The temple of Lepakshi is indescribable.
The unique feature of it consists of the 6 ft. height and 8mt.length monolithic "Nandi" (the bull) sculpture which is said to bethe biggest monolithic Nandi in India, which is synonymous with ancientLepakshi. The majestic Shilpakala of Nandi sculpture is inexplicable and it isa feast for the eyes. Lepakshi is both a tourist place worth a visit as well asa pilgrimage centre in South India. It is centrally located between Hindupurand Kodikonda check post. During the month of February a 10-day longcelebration including the car festival is conducted in the temple. During thefestival, Lepakshi is packed with pilgrims from all over the country.
The Lepakshi temple situated in Anantapur district of AndhraPradesh, is also known as Veerabhadra temple. The architecture of the templereflects the Vijayanagar style and is located 480 km from Hyderabad. Thearchitectural beauty of the temple is unparalleled with fine carving arts. A 10day long festival is celebrated in the month of February. On this occasion acar festival is conducted, which is attended by huge number of people.
The Lepakshi temple can be divided into three sections - the'Mukha Mandapa', (or the 'Nitya Mandapa' or 'Ranga Mandapa'), the 'ArthaMandapa' and 'Garbha Griha', and the 'Kalyana Mandapa'.
The sculptures and the mural paintings seen in the Natya andKalyana Mandapams are exceptional for their artistic beauty and skill. Most ofthese sculptures portray the mythological puranic episodes like'Ananthasayana', 'Dattatreya', 'Chaturmukha Bramha', 'Tumburu', 'Narada' and 'Rambha'.The Lepakshi temple has been built in honor of Lord Veerabhadra. According tolegend, the Kalyana Mandapa of the temple had witnessed the marriage of LordShiva and Parvati. The 'Natya' (Dancing) and 'Ardha' (worship) Mandapas are thebest parts of the temple in terms of architecture. The 'Natya' Mandapa has beenadorned with sculptured pillars depicting life-size musicians and dancers.
Significanceof the Temple
The temple has a central pavilion, embracing all the threeshrines. This pavilion is further connected with an intermediary hall and ahall for ritual dance. A large open court that is accessible from the eastsurrounds the main hall. Lepakshi Templeperhaps houses the largest monolithic structure of Nagalinga in India.Another exquisite statue of Lord Ganesha captures the attention of everyone,especially when people enter the second interior court.
The interiors boast of impressive sculptures in half-relief onthe granite pillars. The carvings represent dancers, drummers and divinemusicians. Here, you can see Lord Brahma playing drums, celestial nymph Rambhadancing and Lord Shiva engaged in 'Ananda Tandava'. In the intermediary hall,there is a frieze that depicts geese with lotus stalks in their beaks. Theflawless carvings adorn the entire temple perpetually, all of them done withthe minutest of details.
Most celebrated for its splendid paintings, Lepakshi Templehas a colossal painting of Virabhadra in the central hall. In the 'Hall ofDance', one can trace eight panels, depicting Puranic legends on the ceiling.Most of the paintings and murals have been devastated by the ravages of times.Lepakshi is a notable store of expertise, which is on the brink of extinction.In concise terms, the temple is a work of art that certainly deserves a visit.
Festivals
During the month of February a 10- day long celebrationincluding the car festival is conducted in the temple. During the festivalLepakshi is packed with pilgrims from all over the country.
How toreach the Temple
Through Airways -Through Airways, Hyderabad Begumpet Airportand Tirupati Airport are the nearest ones. Bengaluru is a couple of hundredkilometers away.
Through Railways- Through Railways, the Hindupur station isthe closest railway station which connects trains from different parts of thecountry.
Through Roadways-ThroughRoadways, the famous temple of Lepakshi is 480 km from Hyderabad, the statecapital. It is 120 km from Bangalore. On the way to Hyderabad from Bangalore,you have to take a de-tour of about 16kms on the left to reach Lepakshi.
Source: Lepakshi Temple, About Lepakshi Temple, Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi Temple in india
and other sites
And other Vijayanagar style architectural marvels at Lepakshi, in Anantapur district , Andhra Pradesh
Lepakshi temple, one which is famous for its rich fine artsand architectural beauty, is situated in Ananthapur district 120 kms away fromthe district headquarters and 12 kms from Hindupur. The carvings on stone atLepakshi Temple are of such mesmeric quality that one is left wondering at themind boggling talent of the sculptors. The temple of Lepakshi is indescribable.
The unique feature of it consists of the 6 ft. height and 8mt.length monolithic "Nandi" (the bull) sculpture which is said to bethe biggest monolithic Nandi in India, which is synonymous with ancientLepakshi. The majestic Shilpakala of Nandi sculpture is inexplicable and it isa feast for the eyes. Lepakshi is both a tourist place worth a visit as well asa pilgrimage centre in South India. It is centrally located between Hindupurand Kodikonda check post. During the month of February a 10-day longcelebration including the car festival is conducted in the temple. During thefestival, Lepakshi is packed with pilgrims from all over the country.
The Lepakshi temple situated in Anantapur district of AndhraPradesh, is also known as Veerabhadra temple. The architecture of the templereflects the Vijayanagar style and is located 480 km from Hyderabad. Thearchitectural beauty of the temple is unparalleled with fine carving arts. A 10day long festival is celebrated in the month of February. On this occasion acar festival is conducted, which is attended by huge number of people.
The Lepakshi temple can be divided into three sections - the'Mukha Mandapa', (or the 'Nitya Mandapa' or 'Ranga Mandapa'), the 'ArthaMandapa' and 'Garbha Griha', and the 'Kalyana Mandapa'.
The sculptures and the mural paintings seen in the Natya andKalyana Mandapams are exceptional for their artistic beauty and skill. Most ofthese sculptures portray the mythological puranic episodes like'Ananthasayana', 'Dattatreya', 'Chaturmukha Bramha', 'Tumburu', 'Narada' and 'Rambha'.The Lepakshi temple has been built in honor of Lord Veerabhadra. According tolegend, the Kalyana Mandapa of the temple had witnessed the marriage of LordShiva and Parvati. The 'Natya' (Dancing) and 'Ardha' (worship) Mandapas are thebest parts of the temple in terms of architecture. The 'Natya' Mandapa has beenadorned with sculptured pillars depicting life-size musicians and dancers.
Significanceof the Temple
The temple has a central pavilion, embracing all the threeshrines. This pavilion is further connected with an intermediary hall and ahall for ritual dance. A large open court that is accessible from the eastsurrounds the main hall. Lepakshi Templeperhaps houses the largest monolithic structure of Nagalinga in India.Another exquisite statue of Lord Ganesha captures the attention of everyone,especially when people enter the second interior court.
The interiors boast of impressive sculptures in half-relief onthe granite pillars. The carvings represent dancers, drummers and divinemusicians. Here, you can see Lord Brahma playing drums, celestial nymph Rambhadancing and Lord Shiva engaged in 'Ananda Tandava'. In the intermediary hall,there is a frieze that depicts geese with lotus stalks in their beaks. Theflawless carvings adorn the entire temple perpetually, all of them done withthe minutest of details.
Most celebrated for its splendid paintings, Lepakshi Templehas a colossal painting of Virabhadra in the central hall. In the 'Hall ofDance', one can trace eight panels, depicting Puranic legends on the ceiling.Most of the paintings and murals have been devastated by the ravages of times.Lepakshi is a notable store of expertise, which is on the brink of extinction.In concise terms, the temple is a work of art that certainly deserves a visit.
Festivals
During the month of February a 10- day long celebrationincluding the car festival is conducted in the temple. During the festivalLepakshi is packed with pilgrims from all over the country.
How toreach the Temple
Through Airways -Through Airways, Hyderabad Begumpet Airportand Tirupati Airport are the nearest ones. Bengaluru is a couple of hundredkilometers away.
Through Railways- Through Railways, the Hindupur station isthe closest railway station which connects trains from different parts of thecountry.
Through Roadways-ThroughRoadways, the famous temple of Lepakshi is 480 km from Hyderabad, the statecapital. It is 120 km from Bangalore. On the way to Hyderabad from Bangalore,you have to take a de-tour of about 16kms on the left to reach Lepakshi.
Source: Lepakshi Temple, About Lepakshi Temple, Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi Temple in india
and other sites
