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Lepakshi temple: A marvel in stone
The Hindu
Every nook and corner of the Lepakshi temple, that features in the tentative UNESCO heritage list, celebrates the Vijayanagara architecture
It’s a land strewn with as many stories and myths as beautiful sculptures and carvings. At every step a new sight, a new paradigm, a little anecdote, a pillar or a mantapa awaits the visitor.
Lepakshi in Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, a marvel in stone, appeals equally to tourists and history and heritage enthusiasts.
The Veerabhadra Swami temple here, which has found a place on UNESCO’s tentative list of world heritage sites in India for 2022, is obviously the focal point. Situated atop the Kurmasailam (tortoise-shaped) hill, it is a glorious example of the much-celebrated Vijayanagara architecture.
Since it’s a hot rocky region, it is advisable for the visitors to reach the site early in the morning (the temple opens at 7 a.m. and one needs two to three hours to complete the trail).
The name of the place itself is linked with the Ramayana. Legend has it that Jatayu fell at this spot after Ravana cut its wings when he tried to prevent Sita’s abduction. Rama stumbled upon the bird when searching for Sita.
After the injured bird narrated what had happened, Rama coaxed him to rise again, “le, pakshi” (rise, bird in Telugu). A recent touristy addition to Lepakshi is a colossal concrete Jatayu statue (in flashy paint) on a hillock in Jatayu Park, just before you take a turn off the highway to enter the temple.
The Jatayu looks over a marvellously sculpted six-metre tall Nandi wearing layers of bells and ornaments. It is said to have been carved out of a monolith. Like the temple, it dates back to the 16th century.
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Prarthana Prasad is a social media influencer, entrepreneur and a leading voice from the LGBTQ+ community. At a recent Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Conclave held in Bengaluru she opened up about how she is often a “token ticket” for the corporate world, increasingly contacted by brands for promotion during Pride Month.