Lepakshi Temple History

Lepakshi Temple History, Timings, Address. This temple is an example of Vijayanagara style and was built on a low rocky hill which is called Kurmasaila, this hill was in the shape of a tortoise. It is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, that Lepakshi is one among the 108 important Siva Temples.

Lepakshi Temple History

It is said that Sage Agasthya installed the Lord Siva Linga here, later developed by Virupanna. As per the Legends, Virupanna was the King’s treasurer and was the chief of the merchant guild during the times of Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara dynasty. He thought of building a temple here, because of the image of Veerabhadra. For the construction, he used the tributes offered to the King when the king was away. He had practically finished with the construction and was actually supervising the completion of the Kalyana Mantap when the king returned and found the treasury empty. The King ordered to make Virupanna blind as a punishment. The treasurer is a loyal servant carried out on the spot with his own hands and to this day, two dark strains are shown upon the wall near the Kalyana Mantap which is said to be the marks made by his eyes which he himself dashed against the wall. Hence, the Kalyana Mantapa was left unfinished. Therefore, the village called by Lepa-Akshi which means a village of the blinded eye.

There is a huge Nandi statue which is the largest Nandi in India. It is carved out of a monolithic rock, which measures 25 ft in height and 30 ft in length.

Lepakshi Temple Timings

  • Morning Hours: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • Evening Hours: 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Interesting Places at Lepakshi Temple

  1. Monolithic Nandi Statue
  2. Hanging Pillar
  3. Siva Linga and Seven hooded snake statue
  4. Ceilings in Ranga Mantap
  5. Paintings in Ardha Mantap.
  6. Natyamantapa with excellently sculptured pillars.
  7. Mural paintings at Kalyana Mantapa
  8. Footprint of Hanuman

Lepakshi Temple Gallery

One comment

  1. Very Nice thanks for sharing useful information.

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