Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
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Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
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Hindu Temples :-
Lord Shiva Temples
Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Lepakshi is actually a small
village that is situated in the east of Hindupur, which falls under the
Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. This settlement is famous for its
artistic temples, which date back to the 16th century. A striking specimen
of the Vijayanagar style of architecture is the Lepakshi Temple. It has a
huge complex where three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and
Lord Virabhadra are to be found. Lord Virabhadra is the wrathful form of
Shiva, the patron deity of the Nayak rulers.
The temple has a central pavilion, embracing all the three shrines. This
pavilion is further connected with an intermediary hall and a hall for
ritual dance. A large open court that is accessible from the east surrounds
the main hall. Lepakshi Temple perhaps houses the largest monolithic
structure of Nagalinga in India. Another exquisite statue of Lord Ganesha
captures the attention of everyone, especially when people enter the second
interior court.
The interiors boast of impressive sculptures in half-relief on the granite
pillars. The carvings represent dancers, drummers and divine musicians.
Here, you can see Lord Brahma playing drums, celestial nymph Rambha dancing
and Lord Shiva engaged in 'Ananda Tandava'. In the intermediary hall, there
is a frieze that depicts geese with lotus stalks in their beaks. The
flawless carvings adorn the entire temple perpetually, all of them done with
the minutest of details.
Most celebrated for its splendid paintings, Lepakshi Temple has a colossal
painting of Virabhadra in the central hall. In the 'Hall of Dance', one can
trace eight panels, depicting Puranic legends on the ceiling. Most of the
paintings and murals have been devastated by the ravages of times. Lepakshi
is a notable store of expertise, which is on the brink of extinction. In
concise terms, the temple is a work of art that certainly deserves a visit.