Lepakshi, Virabhadraswamy Temple
Historical background
The small town of Lepakshi in the region known as Rayalaseema, Royal Realm, in south-western Andhra Pradesh, is famous for its temple dedicated to Virabhadra. The monument extends over a rocky outcrop known as Kurmsaila, or Tortoise Hill, a name deriving from its shape which recalls the shell of a tortoise. This uneven terrain had an impact on the layout of the temple, which incorporates several huge natural boulders and seven small shrines dedicated to various deities. No epigraphs are available recording the foundation date of the temple. Local legends attribute its origin to the mythical sage Agastya, and a small shrine dedicated to him is in the inner precincts of the complex. The temple dates back to before the 16th century, but was expanded to its present dimensions during the Vijayanagara period. Tradition credits the construction of the present monument to Virapanna, the governor of Penukonda, and his brother Viranna, representatives of the Vijayanagara emperor Achyutaraya (r. 1530-42). Grants dating from 1531 to 1538 inscribed on the enclosure walls and onto the adjacent bedrock suggest a concentrated period of building activity. It may be assumed that Virapanna and Viranna were responsible for bringing the seven shrines scattered on Kurmasaila into one coordinated architectural complex, and that the outstanding ceiling paintings, the only surviving murals of the Vijayanagara period, date from these years.
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The main temple is entered from the north through a pair of gateways with uncompleted brick towers. The inner gateway leads directly into a grandly-scaled natyamandapa (‘dance hall’). This open structure has 70 majestic granite columns carved with nearly human-size deities, celestial musicians and dancers. They carry a ceiling almost 4 metres high above the floor. At its centre a corbelled dome with elaborate carvings reaches a height of c. 6.4 metres. Steps on the south side of the natyamandapa ascend to a narrow columned verandah that runs around three sides of the outer walls of the inner part of the temple. The ceilings of the natyamandapa and verandah just noticed are covered with fine paintings.
The inner part of the Virabhadra temple comprises a spacious, but poorly lit mahamandapa (‘great hall’), off which open a number of shrines. The central space of the hall is adorned with a single painted composition of Virabhadra (c. 7.6 x 4.2 m), the deity worshipped in the sanctuary at the far end of the hall. Other paintings, now damaged are seen on the ceilings over the side bays of the hall, on the walls and ceiling of the passageway running around three sides of the Virabhadra sanctuary, in the Shayanagara (bedroom of the deities), and in the subsidiary shrine known as the Raghunathalaya.
The subjects depicted are mostly devotional, drawn from the popular epics, the Periya Puranam and other texts. They include also depictions of Virapanna and Viranna, the temple donors, together with their retinues, thereby offering an invaluable visual record of courtly life during Vijayanagara times.
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Manuniti Cholan and a group of dignitaries inside a hall listen to the discourses of two sages. On the extreme left, the cow runs towards its dead calf.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: The gate of a palace, capped by a two-storeyed tower. Near it are the fragments of a figure, possibly a guard. Just outside the gateway a group of four, barely recognisable, gesticulating men bearing bows, perhaps the bodyguard of the prince, gather around a chariot that has just run over a calf. Its body is clearly visible right under the central wheel of the conveyance, towards which a large the cow rushes. The prince and his attendant stand on the chariot and are engaged in an animated discussion with a dignified crowned figure who standing behind the cow, appears to support its cause. Manuniti and a group of dignitaries inside a hall listen to the discourses of two sages.
The cow walks towards the palace gateway, and by ringing the bell outside the hall she attracts the attention of a gate keeper and demands justice. Floating on a cloud above the cow’s head are two gandharvas
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: The cow walks towards the palace gateway, and by ringing the bell outside the hall she attracts the attention of a gate keeper and demands justice. Floating on a cloud above the cow’s head are two gandharvas. On the right, Manuniti, his minister, the cow and yet another dignitary discuss the incident. Near the king is the diminutive prince.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: A group of courtly figures seem to be discussing the case. Manuniti orders the prince to be punished; Along with two dignitaries he looks on while the chariot carrying the dead calf, followed by the anguished cow licking it, is driven over the prince. A shower of flowers falls from the sky.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandpa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: King Manuniti and his ministers discuss the incident; the king decides to punish the prince and along with two dignitaries he looks on while the chariot carrying the dead calf, followed by the cow licking it, is driven over the prince. A shower of flowers falls from the sky. On the extreme right; Shiva and Parvati appear riding on Nandi accompanied by a host of ganas and restore to life the prince and the calf.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Manuniti decides to punish the prince and along with two dignitaries he looks on while the chariot carrying the dead calf, followed by the cow licking it, is driven over the prince. A shower of flowers falls from the sky. On the extreme right; Shiva and Parvati appear riding on Nandi accompanied by a host of ganas and restore to life the prince and the calf.
Beginning of an unidentified narrative. From the remaining fragments it is possible to recognise a four-armed deity, probably Shiva, surrounded by a group of women.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: The chariot carrying the dead calf crushes the prince to death. Shiva and Parvati riding on Nandi appear followed by a host of ganas and resuscitate the prince and the calf. A rain of flowers falls from the sky on the group. On the extreme right fragments of an unidentified narrative: a four-armed deity, probably Shiva, surrounded by a group of women.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Before the eyes of Manuniti and his minister, Shiva and Parvati riding on Nandi, accompanied by a host of ganas appear on the scene and restore the prince and the calf to life. A gandharvi floating on a cloud strews flower petals on the group.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Fragments of an unidentified narrative: A four-armed deity, probably Shiva, and two (?) women. On the right is a group of ascetics.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay, east end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Fragments of an unidentified narrative: A four-armed deity, probably Shiva, and two(?) women. On the right is a group of ascetics.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay, east end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Unidentified narrative; A group of ascetics.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay, east end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Unidentified narrative; A group of ascetics. On the extreme right, Shiva (?).
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, north bay, east end
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