Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi
Lepakshi is a small village located 15-km east of Hindupur in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is considered as the most important place in the district from the historical and archaeological point of view. The famous Veerabhadra temple, dedicated to Veerabhadra, is the main attraction here. Built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, the temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar architectural style. It is famous for its sculptures, which were created by the artisans of Vijayanagara empire.
The hanging pillar is one of the 70 pillars which is hanging well almost on its edge .There is a story about it - a British engineer who wanted to know how the temple was supported by the pillars tried to displace one of it, and it caused the movement of as many as 10 pillars around to maintain the balance. The presiding deity is Veerabhadra. In the exquisite shrine is a wealth of magnificent sculpture in the intricate mandapams. One mandapam has pillars with life-sized images of dancers, musicians and other sculptures, created by the artisans of the Vijayanagar empire. The huge granite Nandi Bull is carved out of a single stone. The ceilings have breathtakingly beautiful mural paintings It was believed that Virupanna, the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Kings used the treasure when the King was away at Vijayanagar and planned to built Mandapam back to temple. When the construction was almost finished and it was being supervised the king returned and found the treasure empty. The king ordered, as a punishment to this heinous crime, that he should be blinded. The treasurer being a loyal person carried out the punishment spot with his own bands.
Even today one can see two dark stains upon the wall near the ‘Kalyana Mandapa', which are said to be the marks made by his eyes, which he himself dashed against the wall. The builder did not survive for a long time and the village is called "Lepa-akshi Lepakshi", i.e., a village of the blinded eye. The best part is Sita Devi's foot print at the temple.
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