Located in the Lepakshi village, 114 kms from Anantapur city.
Built in the 16th century, the Lepakshi Temple is a brilliant example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture.
Has a huge complex where three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Virabhadra are to be found, Lord Virabhadra being the wrathful form of Shiva, the patron deity of the Nayak rulers.
Has a central pavilion, embracing all the three shrines. This pavilion is further connected with an intermediary hall and a hall for ritual dance. Surrounding the main hall is a large open court, accessible from the east.
Lepakshi Temple perhaps houses the largest monolithic structure of Nagalinga in India.
There is also another exquisite statue of Lord Ganesha in the second interior court.
The interiors consist of 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.
Most celebrated for its splendid paintings, the 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.
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