Tinkers with software, data, camera, cuisine

Jan 26, 2016

Lepakshi

Lepakshi is famous for Virabhadraswamy Temple and Monolithic Nandi. Temple is famous for its Mural paintings, sculptures and Hanging pillar.

Route from Bangalore: Hebbal- Yelahanka- Devanahalli- Chikballapur (bypass)- Bagepalli-Kodikonda toll booth- Then take left turn to Lepakshi(16KMs). Lepakshi -~130km from Bangalore.

You can include Nandi Hills and Nandi village visit also to your Lepakshi trip.

Monolithic Nandi (Basavanna). The nandi here is the world’s largest monolithic nandi. 4.5 m high and 8.23m long.

Virabhadraswamy Temple.

16th Century temple, Vijaynagar style of architecture, dedicated to Lord Virabhadra (lord Siva).

Lepakshi is known for its architecture and painting. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is among the most mysterious places in India, owing to its famous floating pillar.

Sri-Kala-Hasti
These depict the legend of Sri (spider), Kala (serpent-king) and Hasti (elephant) worshipping the linga.

Siva: Mural painting on the ceiling.
The murals at Lepakshi are the most important specimens of Vijayanagara pictorial art

Andhakasura -Mural painting.
Siva slays andhakasura, while dieties and worshippers watch, worship, and appreciate in amazement. The floral borders are particularly elaborate and well-preserved on this panel.

Colorful Saree Designs(15th century paintings)

Kiratarjuniya, Hunting Scene. Most panels illustrate legends from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Siva Purana. This animated scene narrates the hunting episode from the Kirata story. The boar is charging through the forest. A sage is shown fleeing together with antelopes, rabbit, and birds.

On the right of Kirata, hunters with bows and arrows

Patrons
This famous scene shows patrons and architects of the temple worshipping Siva and Parvati. Patrons are identified by the tall, conical and patterned brocade caps. Other sources identify this type of headgear with nobility or royalty.

Ardhanareeshwara — The half-female, half-male form, where Siva and Parvati are equally represented in one body

There is a story about it — a British engineer who wanted to know how the temple was supported by the pillars tried to displace one of it, and it caused the movement of as many as 10 pillars around to maintain the balance.

The Mystery: Among the 70 pillars at the site, one is hanging in mid-air, that is, it exists without a support. People come to the temple and pass objects under the pillar, believing it’ll bring prosperity into their lives!

The Theory: People believe it’s just another of the many tricks the temple builders of the old were capable of.

Three-legged, dance master of the gods (Bhringi). He wears elaborate ornaments, has a pigtail and holds a flower delicately in his left hand.

Chandra. He is shown playing a drum and has an elaborate mukuta and flowing jata curls.

Open air Kalyana Mandapa. Each of the twelve pillars along the entrance has an image of a rishi wearing a crown and jewels and holding up one hand in varadamudra. As per local legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were married here.

Sita Amma Padam.
Sita Devi’s foot print at the temple. She’s the shortest girl of their ages ( 25 Feet). According to History, Ravana had a fight with one bird (Jataayu) here while kidnapping Sita devi.

According to mythology, When Sita was abducted by Ravana, the mythical bird Jatayu fought with Ravana at this spot. Jatayu’s wings were cut off by Ravana and he lay here, injured. When Rama found Jatayu, he said “le, pakshi” (meaning ‘Rise, bird’ in Telugu) and the bird rose. The name ‘Lepakshi’ was hence given to this area.

Stone Palettes (Color Palette/Dining plate)
These receptacles, carved directly on the floor, were used as palettes, lamps, or food vessels.

Virupanna, the royal treasurer, was accused of drawing funds without the king’s permission from the state treasury to build these shrines. However, he forestalled the enraged king’s punishment by blinding himself, and those maroon spots are said to be the marks left by his bleeding eyes!

As per one legend, Lepakshi got its name from ‘Lepa-akshi’ -a village of the blinded eye.