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| 16th century, Lapakshi temple, AP. /mytriphack.com |
popular destination for the tourists for many reasons. The temple built in the 16th century by two brothers - Virupanna and Veeranna, who worked for the Vijayanagara king (the reign of Achyutha Devaraya period) who ruled the empire from 1530 A.D to 1542 A.D, is an epitome of Indian temple architecture of Vijayanagara style. The main temple is follows the plan as popularized by then rulers and is laid out in three parts, these are: The assembly hall known as the Mukha mantapa or Natya mantapa or Ranga mantapa; arda mantapa or antarala (ante chamber); and the garbhagriha or the sanctum.
There are many interesting features in this temple and of them the following are worth our attention:
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| Huge stone bull Verabadra swami temple, Lapkshi, AP. pinrest com. |
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| Veerapadra temple, Lapakshi, Ap. 16th C. famousplacesinindia.in/ |
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| massive serpent/Naga. Lapakshi temple, AP. /revolvingcompass.com |
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| Mmantap ) with ornate pillrs. Lapkshi temple, AP. mytriphack.com |
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| gently tilted hanging pilla, Lapakshi Veerabadra temple, AP. pinrest.com |
03. As already mentioned in my post earlier, the hanging stone pillar in the mandapa that is supported by 78 individual ornate pillars is a remarkable tribute to the ingenuity of the builders of Vijayanagara rulers. One of the pillars that hangs from the roof barely touches the ground and there is a paper-thin gap between the bottom of the pillar and the floor.
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| stone image of God ganapathy, carved in the rock. Lapakshi temple, AP. /fotolaa.com |
04. In the temple’s outer enclosure, you will run into a mammoth Ganesha idol — hewn in stone and leaning against a rock. A rare piece of stone work, considering its size.
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| .16th century murals, Lapakshi temple, AP. Murals need restoration. agefotostock.com |
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| 16th century, Lapakshi temple, AP. /mytriphack.com |
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| Incomplete klyana mandap. Lapakshi temple, AP. travel escape. |
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| Veerapadra temple, Lapakshi, Ap. 16th C. famousplacesinindia.in/ |
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| Bronze image of Veerabadra. napiermuseum.org |
You will find several God Shiva here and they are: an impressive Kankala Murthi, Dakshinamurthi (Guru of Gurus), Tripuranthaka or Tripurasurasamhara (vanquisher of demon Tripura); Ardhanareeshwara (the half-female, half-male form - equal representation of Shiva and Parvati in one body), etc. There is also a shrine dedicated to fiery goddess Bhadrakali, though bearing an uncharacteristically serene expression.
Close to Hindupurin Ananatapur District, the temple is on the southern side of Lepakshi town, on a small hill of a large outcrop of granite and related rocks; it is in the shape of a tortoise, and hence known as Kurma Saila.
http://revolvingcompass.com/lepakshi-temple
https://www.quirkywanderer.com/2018/01/27/architectural-wonders-lepakshi/
https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/The-hanging-pillar-and-other-wonders-of-Lepakshi/article13383179.ece