The Mystery of the Hanging Pillar in the Lepakshi Temple, India
SEASON 1 EP 8 | #lepakshitemple #unsolvedmysteries
India is an ancient country with a rich history of a Vedic civilization. In keeping with history, there are many temples that can be found at every step of the way. Hence, there are a certain number of temples in India that have astonishing mysteries connected with it. One such temple is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, the Lepakshi temple. For many years, several people have been intrigued by the mystery of the floating pillar that continues to attract people from far and wide of. This mystery is beyond Science and has not been answered for ages.
The beautiful 16th century Veerabhadra temple, also known as the Lepakshi temple, is located in the small historical village of Lepakshi in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India, about 15 km east of Hindupur and approximately 120 km north of Bangalore. It is a region of shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerbhadra. The Veerbhadra temple dates back to the medieval era. It was constructed by two brothers, Virupanna and Veerana, allies of the Vijaynagar Empire in 1583 and is a marvel in stone..
Built in the typical style of Vijayanagara architecture, the temple features many exquisite sculptures of Gods, Goddesses, dancers and musicians, and hundreds of paintings all over the walls, columns and ceiling depicting stories from the epics of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas. This includes a 24 feet by 14 feet fresco of Veerabhadra, the fiery god created by Shiva, on the ceiling, which is the largest fresco of any single figure in India. At the front of the temple is a large Nandi (bull), the mount of Shiva, which is carved from a single block of stone, and is said to be one of the largest of its type in the world.
The temple is famed for another engineering wonder. Among the 70 stone pillars, there is one that hangs from the ceiling. The base of the pillar barely touches the ground and it is possible to pass objects such as a thin sheet of paper or a piece of cloth from one side to the other. It is said that the pillar is a bit dislodged from its original position when a British engineer tried to move it in an unsuccessful attempt to uncover the secret of its support.
When the Veerabhadra temple was built by the brothers, Viranna and Virupanna, they were Governors under the Vijayanagar Empire during the reign of King Achutaraya. The great Vijayanagara empire was known for its patronage to Indian artists. As per the Puranas however, the Veerabhadra temple was purported to have built by the sage Agastya. Stone idols of Ganesha, Nandi, Veerabhadra, Shiva, Bhadrakali, Vishnu and Lakshmi are important deities in the temple. It is also believed that Pakshi Jatayu fell at this spot after his battle with Ravana to rescue Mata Sita. Lord Rama is said to have said to the brave bird “Le Pakshi” — ‘rise, bird’ in Telugu. This temple also houses a footprint that is believed to be of Mata Sita.
Walking around the temple, one can discover the glory of the Vijayanagara kingdom which gave patronage to the artists who created these amazing pictorial representations. Carved in its walls are images of musicians and saints. Beautiful dancing Ganesha moorti, murtis of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva. There is also a cave chamber here where Sage Agasthya is said to have lived. The focus of attention here are the 70 pillars in the temple while sixty-nine other pillars support the ceiling, one corner pillar does not touch the temple floor at all. The big mystery here is as to how the hanging pillar was constructed or carved., that too with a wafer thin gap between the temple floor and base of the pillar that allows thin objects like a piece of cloth to be passed through from one side to the other.
Some Highlights of this temple and its enigmatic pillar:
The miraculous Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi, also known as Akaasa Sthamba, that is attached to the ceiling but not to the floor, is a marvel when one even cannot even dare imagine what implements could have been used to create this wafer-thin gap between the pillar’s bottom and the surface of the rocky stone floor under it. This is the best known tribute to the engineering genius of ancient and medieval India’s temple builders, and according to historians, the history of the hanging pillar of Lepakshi dates back to the Ramayana.
Today, however, it is slightly dislodged from its original position purportedly an occurrence that took place when during the British era, a British engineer tried to move it in an unsuccessful attempt to uncover the secret of its support. Needless to add, neither the curious British engineer (identity unknown) nor anyone after him have been able to explain the mystery of how the hanging pillar at the Lepakshi temple was crafted — an ancient pillar that defies gravity and hanging in mid-air. The Veerbhadra temple is famous for its sculptures. It is popular for the collection of mural paintings from the Vijaynagar period that depict various stories like the marriage of Lord Shiva. There are several forms of Shiva inside the temple and also a shrine of goddess Bhadrakali wearing serene expressions. Many old Kannada inscriptions are carved on walls. The interior of the temple is cut out of granite. There are other brilliant carvings like a cow showing multiple postures in the same sculpture. There is a massive block of granite, 20ft tall with carvings.
Another attraction of the Veerbhadra temple is the Nandi Bull made from a single granite stone, India’s biggest monolithic Nandi. It is a massive structure, allegedly India’s biggest Nandi. This enormous structure is 27 ft. long and 15 ft. high. This grandeur is a perfectly proportioned body with finely carved ornaments. It faces the Shiva linga shielded by a huge serpent. Aside from its record size, the perfectly balanced body, smooth outlines, and finely-carved adornments add to its magnificence. Once one reaches the Lepakshi temple’s outer compound, an enormous Ganesha- sculpted in stone can be seen, inclined against a rock. It creates a roof-like shelter for the black granite Shiva lingam that is known to be the biggest Nagalinga in India.
This shrine dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, is an exhibition of timeless art which includes beautiful frescoes and murals. Much of the temple is built on a low, rocky hill called Kurmasailam (“tortoise hill” in Telugu) — inspired by the shape of the hill. The Lepakshi temple is a marvel of archaeological and artistic splendour. Indeed a great Mystery from ancient times till today. One can only conjecture as to when this enigma of the hanging pillar will be solved!
