Veerabhadra temple, Lepakshi built in the 16th Century as per the Vijayanagar school of architecture. |
[image: Fun & Info @ Keralites.net] <http://keralites.net/> Lepakshi (Lat.13o,48' N.; Long.77o,36'E) is a small village situated fourteen(14) KMs to the east of Hindupur, Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. The place can be reached by bus from Hindupur. It is famous for its temple of Veerabhadra and the mural paintings of the Vijayanagara period. There is a popular legend about this temple which runs as follows: During the 16th century Lepakshi was great centre of trade as well as pilgrimage with fine architecture blended with bold, greaceful sculptures and exquisite paintings. Legend dates the Lepakshi town back to the days of the *Ramayana. *It is said that Lord Rama found the mythical bird* Jatayu *lying wounded here, its wings were cut off by *Ravana *when he abducted *Sita. *According to locals, after *Ravana *had cut the wing of the bird, Lord *Rama *said "*le pakshi"(rise bird)* and the bird rose. Hence, this sacred place was named as Lepakshi. Local lore has it that sage *Agasthya* installed the idol of * Papanaseswara* at the site. However, the temple as it exists today is of more recent origin. The temple at Lepakshi is not a merely a *Siva *temple but has a temple complex. The peculiarity of this temple complex is that it has idols of both *Siva *and *Vishnu. *The panchayatana advocated by *Adi Shankara *is probably implemented here in a slightly different from. Lepakshi temple is said to have been built by two brothers, *Virupanna and Veeranna.* The temple was constructed during the reign of *Achyuta Devaraya, *who ruled the vijayanagara empire from 1530 A.D to 1542 A.D * Virupanna *was favoured by *Achyutaraya. * [image: Fun & Info @ Keralites.net] <http://keralites.net/> * * __._,_.___ <http://keralites.net/> <http://keralites.net/> -- With best wishes S Chander
