LEPAKSHI
TEMPLE - ART & CULTURE
News:
PM Modi visits historic
temple linked to Ramayana in Lepakshi. Know its significance
What's
in the news?
●
PM Modi offered prayers at Veerabhadra
temple in Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh.
Key
takeaways:
●
The shrine holds a special place in the
Ramayana.
●
The name of the town has been given as a
tribute to Jatayu, the mythical bird in Ramayana.
Lepakshi
Temple Complex:
●
Lepakshi temple is located in Andhra Pradesh, built during the era of
Vijayanagara Empire.
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The temple is famous for its three
shrines, which are dedicated to
○
Lord Vishnu
○
Lord Shiva
○
Lord Veerabhadra.
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The Veerabhadra Temple was constructed by
two brothers, Viranna and Virupanna.
Architecture
Style:
●
The temple is built in the Vijayanagar architectural style and has
beautiful sculptures adorning the walls.
Built
by - Vijayanagara
rulers in 1530 AD.
Features:
●
It is situated atop the Kurmasailam
(tortoise-shaped) hill.
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There is a huge Nandi bull made from a single granite stone.
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Lepakshi has many murals from the
Vijayanagar Era and the famous sculpture of the snake on the Nagalinga.
●
The original structure is said to have
been built by Sage Agastya and finds mention in the Skanda Purana as one of the
108 Saivaite pilgrimage centres of ancient India.
●
The entire temple complex was believed to
be re-built by Virupanna, and his brother Veeranna under the rule of
Vijayanagara king Achyuta Devaraya.
●
The main shrine, the 70-pillared nrutya mantapa, the detailed and beautiful carvings on
them depicts gods and artistes playing musical instruments and dancers in
various poses and mudras.
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The high ceiling is filled with long
panels of fresco paintings.
Ramayana
Link:
●
The name of the place itself is linked
with the Ramayana.
●
Legend has it that Jatayu fell at this
spot after Ravana cut its wings when he tried to prevent Sita’s abduction.
●
Rama stumbled upon the bird when searching
for Sita.
●
After the injured bird narrated what had
happened, Rama coaxed him to rise again, “le, pakshi” (rise, bird in Telugu).