Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Andhra Pradesh , Anantapur, Hyderabad

The Veerabhadra temple is in Lepakshi in the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.The temple has been built on the southern side of Lepakshi town, on a low altitude hillock of a large exposure of granite rock, which is in the shape of a tortoise, and hence known as Kurma Saila.

Legend

According to the legends, when Ravana abducted Sita, the King of the eagles Jataayu fought with him. Ravana smashed him with his sword and Jataayu fell. The place where Jataayu fell, is the place where the Veerbhadra temple has been built.

Architecture

Veerabhadra Temple is built in Vijayanagara style of architecture. The main temple is laid out in three parts: the assembly hall known as the Mukha mantapa or Natya mantapa or Ranga mantapa; arda mantapa or antarala (ante chamber); and the garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum. The temple has carvings and paintings at almost every exposed surface of the temple. There is a very large Nandi (bull), mount of Shiva, about 200 metres (660 ft) away from the temple. Carved from a single block of stone, it is said to be one of the largest of its type in the world. The presiding deity deified in the sanctum sanctorum is a near life-size image of Veerabhadra, fully armed and decorated with skulls. There is huge boulder of granite stone, within the temple precincts, to its eastern side, which has carving of coiled multi-hooded serpent providing an umbrella cover.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative clothes.

Famous Festival

Mahashivratri
Durgamma festival

Culture

Hyderabad is considered as one of the best heritage city of India. One can see a diverse

culture in Hyderabad. The culture of Hyderabad is a mixture of Muslim and Hindu traditions. Hyderabad is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions which are major tourist attractions as well as playing a research role. A distinct Indo-Islamic architecture style with local contribution is reflected in Hyderabad buildings, making it the first and "Best Heritage City of India" as of March 2012. Lepakshi is culturally and archaeologically significant as it is the location of shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra which were built during the Vijayanagara Kings' period (1336-1646).