Lepakshi
Lepakshi is a small village located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh. Lepakshi is very important historically and archaeologically. There are three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Virabhadra.The famous Veerabhadra temple, dedicated to Veerabhadra, is located here. Built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, the temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar architectural style. It is famous for its sculptures, which were created by the artisans of Vijayanagara empire.
Lepakshi is an ultimate testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins who sculpted these temples. It is believed that noted Vishwakarma Amarashilpi Jakkanachari took part in the planning the architecture of these temples. There are many shila shasanas that the famous sculptors like Dakoju, Maroju took part in this temple sculpture.
There are many specialities in this temple like rock chain, Vastu Purush, Padmini race Lady, Hanging Pillar , Durga Paadam, Lapakshi saree designs etc. On the walls of this temple, there are several stories like mahabhaaratha, ramayana etc are sculpted. Also on the roof there are so many beautiful paitings done by natural colour mixtures. One more famous spot in this temple is “Eyes of Viroopaakshanna”. As the history says, Due to king’s misunderstanding with this temple builder, king ordered to make him blind. Hearing this the builder plucked his own eyes and throw at this temple walls. Till date one can find those blood scars on that particular wall.
This is a positively huge Nagalinga within the courtyard of the Virabhadra temple at Lepakshi. Legend goes that the Naga was carved out of a single stone while the artisans were waiting for lunch to be served to them!
