In the quiet village of Lepakshi, tucked away in the sun-baked plains of Andhra Pradesh, lies one of India’s most puzzling temples, Lepakshi Temple. This temple blurs the lines between logic and legend. In the Lepakshi temple, you don’t just see the divine, you feel it.
At first glance, he place may appear like just another ancient Structure. On the other hand, the moment you get inside the temple, you realize-this is no ordinary temple. The Lepakshi Temple is a symbol of love. Viranna and Virupanna were the artisans who built the temple in the 16th century, which is an architectural jewel. As you enter the corridor of the Lepakshi temple, you will feel that someone is counting your breath.
Additionally, the temple is the hub of multiple sacred features and mysteries. Does the blood of an artisan still scream frozen on the walls of the Lepakshi Temple?
Bloodstains on the Lepakshi Temple Wall
Can stones talk on their own, or is someone’s soul trapped in them? The story of the Lepakshi temple begins in that scorching district of Andhra Pradesh, where the heartbeat of time seems to stop. Anantapur, the place where history is living in the walls rather than documents. There stands a temple of mystery and a living history. As one climbs the stairs, the temple becomes a surprise. All around, there are images of goods and goddesses carved on stones, shadows of snakes, and intricate carvings. But hidden between the walls of the Lepakshi is the pain, sacrifice, and screams.
During the period of the Vijayanagara empire, Viranna and Virupanna built the temple. Both of them were great devotees of lord shiv. They had even dedicated their souls to the construction. But one day, a notice came from the royal court. The message was that the temple was incomplete. Additionally, there has been a theft from the treasury of the court. And, the fault is yours. They both were frightened and ran to the royal court to the king Achyuta Deva Raya.
Yet, no one listened to them. As a result, Virupanna, the elder brother, sat down to do tapasaya in the temple sanctum. Even, he blinded himself as a punishment. He threw his eyes on the wall of a temple whose bloodstains are still visible even today. According to an ancient story, the wall of the Lepakshi temple whispers the story of a lady. The lady who helped with the construction of Lepakshi was the wife of Virupanna. Her name was Vidhya.
Furthermore, some visitors have felt the presence of some energy in the temple, such as in the walls, in the air, and in the shadow of a particular pillar. The mystery of the pillar is unsolved yet.
Lepakshi and Ramayan Connection
Especially, an incident described in the Ramayana makes this place even more mysterious and interesting. Did the grief-stricken screams of a bird give this temple its name? When Ravana was going towards Lanka through the sky route after abducting his mother Sita, a giant bird, Jatayu, blocked his path. He fought with Ravana, stopped him, but he lost. Ravana cut off his wings, and he fell to this place. And when Rama, along with Lakshma, reached Jatayu, he said, “Le Pakshi” in Sankrit.
That means,” O Bird, stand up”.And, here it gave the name of Lepakshi. Many people say that a carved figure is still visible on the rocks near the temple.
This connection even has a mystery of a giant footprint filled with water. According to ancient stories, people believe the footprint was of either Mata Sita or Jatayu. Even the footprint is always filled the water all around. But the source of that water is still unknown.
Mystery of Architecture masterpiece
There is not a single mystery in the Lepakshi temple, but multiple.
Anti-Gravity Pillar- One of the 70 pillars in the main mandapa(Hall) is defying the law of gravity. The most infamous mystery of this temple does not touch the ground. gravity. Everyone used to pass a page or cloth under the pillar that hangs in the air.
Naglinga-The Lepakshi temple has a Naglinga, headed by a seven-faced snake. Surprisingly, the artisans carved out a single stone to make the idol.
Nandi- The temple has one of the world’s largest Monolithic statues of, sacred bull of Shiva, Nandi. Even this one is also carved from a single granite rock, is about 200 meters from the temple.
The statue has direct eyes on the Shivlinge in the main hall.
History Paintings- The ceilings of Lepakshi are enriched with ancient frescoes depicting stories from the Ramayana and Puranas.
Leaking Footsteps- Within the temple floor lies a giant human-like footprint, which leaks constantly. What’s strange? No one can find the unknown source of water, yet.
Divine? Science? Or something More?
Last but not least, the name of the Lepakshi temple is also the Veerabhadra temple. Additionally, the temple is still incomplete; the pillars are standing but not holding the roof. Also, a mandapa is incomplete for the Shiv Parvati marriage. Kalyan Mandap, a half-built pillar,s incomplete roof, and silence all around, which tells that something.
But even after that silence, the sobs of the temple will continue to echo in the surrounding. The temple of Lepakshi is beyond the imagination of today’s architecture. It defies the law of physics. whether you view Lepakshi as a product of genius engineering, divine craftsmanship, or a blend of both.
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Frequently asked questions
Q.What is the location of Lepakshi Temple?
A.The location of Lepakshi Temple in the village of Lepakshi, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi.
Q. What is the temple famous for?
A. It is famous for multiple mysteries, such as the Monolithic Nandi, the anti-gravity pillar, and more.
Q. What is the mystery of the hanging pillar?
A. A pillar, lies in the air is a good example of incredible indian architecture.
Q. Who built the Lepakshi Temple?
A.Viranna and Virupanna built the temple under the king Achynta Deva Raya.
