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: Shiva and Parvati playing chess. Shiva has just made a move on the board, his hands are still on the piece. Parvati raises her hand emphatically, as if objecting to his move. Behind her are two attendants, Narada and other rishis. On Shiva’s side are Andhikaranandi
three rishis, and a young devotee clad in a loincloth.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, third bay from the west, south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Shiva and Parvati playing chess. Shiva has just made a move on the board, his hands are still on the piece. Parvati raises her hand emphatically, as if objecting to his move. Behind her are two attendants, Narada and the seven rishis. On Shiva’s side are Andhikaranandi three rishis, and a young devotee clad in a loincloth.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, third bay from the east, south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Shiva as Dakshinamurti sits beneath a tree on Mount Kailasa – suggested by a pile of rocks. Either side of him are groups of rishis, recognisable by their long dreadlocks, the staffs and palm-leaf manuscripts that they hold.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, third bay from west, centre
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Though this portion of the panel is severely damaged, it probably depicted Durga killing Mahishasura. Traces of her four arms, a flexed leg, a garland and elaborately patterned clothes are still visible. The dark mass at her feet can be interpreted as the carcass of the buffalo demon. She is flanked by rishis.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, third bay from west, north
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Warriors on foot and cavalry.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Mahamandapa. east porch
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: An enthroned ruler flanked by two attendants granting audience to two crowned figures and an ascetic (?).
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Mahamandapa, east porch
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: From right: Worship of Bhairava; Draupadi svayamvara (ceremony in which the bride choses her groom); Draupadi seated on her father’s, Drupada, lap witnesses the archery competition. On the extreme left, Arjuna hits the revolving fish target.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, first bay from the east, south end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: From right: Arjuna hits the revolving matsya yantra (fish-shaped target) and wins Draupadi’s hand; The couple is welcomed by Krishna and by Arjuna’s brothers.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, first bay from the east, north end
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Bhairava, and decorative patterns on the beams.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa. first bay from the east, south beam
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Decorative patterns.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, first bay from the east, west beam
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Arjuna’s brothers and decorative patterns on the north beam.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, first bay from the east, north beam
Date: First half of the 16th century
Description: Decorative pattern on the west beam.
Location: Andhra Pradesh Temple;Virabhadraswamy Temple;Lepakshi
Positioning: Natyamandapa, west beam between the first and second bay from the east
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