Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh: Astonishing Architecture of Vijayanagar Empire
03-05-2023 12:21
Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh which is also known as Veerbhadra Temple, here, people come from far and wide to see a miraculous pillar hanging from the roof, on which the entire strength of this temple rests. Before knowing about this swinging pillar, let us know about the history of Lepakshi temple!!!
Lepakshi Temple & Its Connection with Lord Ram
There are two known beliefs about the construction of the temple. It is believed that the temple was built by the sage Agastya in the Ramayana period.
According to the Ramayana, when Ravana was abducting Mother Sita and taking her to Lanka, Jatayu fought with Ravana to save Mother Sita from the clutches of Ravana. Jatayu got badly injured in this fight. When Ram came to this place, he saw Jatayu in an unconscious state and said, “Le Pakshi” which means “O Bird” or get up bird. This is how the place got its name Lepakshi.
According to another belief, the earliest evidence regarding the construction of the present-day temple is related to the Vijayanagara Empire during 1533. The inscription located in the temple informs that the temple was built by Virupanna and Viranna, the revenge officers of King Achyuta Devaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. This temple situated on the Kooramselam hill is a fine example of the mural astonishing architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Hanging Pillar
The Natya Mandap is right in front of the main temple. It has a total of 70 pillars. There is that mysterious pillar in the north eastern corner of this Natya Mandap which is seen hanging about half an inch above the ground. But the surprising thing is that despite not standing on the ground itself, the entire temple rests on this eight feet tall pillar.
To solve the mystery of this astonishing architecture, in 1902, British engineer Hamilton came to Lepakshi temple for investigation. As soon as Hamilton tried to move the pillar by putting an iron rod under this pillar, the rest of the pillars also started moving from their place. Because of which, Hamilton had to stop his investigation immediately.
This temple always made us wonder how well ancient technology had presented anti-gravity and levitation. There is hardly any way in modern technology that can hang granite block weighing several tons of 20 feet in the air.
Is the hanging pillar of Lepakshi Temple a false story?
Research also says that you can slide a piece of cloth from one end of this pillar, but cannot pull it from the other end. If this pillar is completely hanging in the air, then the cloth should be pulled from the other side as well. The cloth which was pulled during the investigation got stuck on the other side. According to that research, this pillar is not actually suspended in the air, as one corner of it apparently rests on the ground, which is still standing. If you examine it closely, you can confirm it.
Stunning Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi
Lepakshi Temple or Veerabhadra Temple is divided into three parts – Mukh Mandap, Ardha Mandap and Kalyan Mandap.
There is a Kalyan Mandap in the premises of Lepakshi Temple, whose construction was incomplete. There is also an interesting story behind this pavilion!!
Some ministers complained to King Achyuta Devaraya that Veeru Panna was misusing the state treasury in the construction of the temple and after this complaint, the king ordered that both the eyes of Veeru Panna should be taken out. When Veeru Panna got to know about this decision, he was very sad that how the king accepted this allegation as true without any investigation. Veeru Panna himself took out both his eyes in grief and threw them on the front wall. It is said that these two marks of blood are still visible on the wall of the temple.
The Giant Footprint of Hanuman Ji or Sita Maa