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Lepakshi Temple – Part 3: Iconography and Sanctum of Veerabhadra

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After exploring the origins of Lepakshi and understanding the architectural layout of the Veerabhadra Temple in the first two parts of this series, I now turn my attention to the temple’s spiritual and visual centre, the awe-inspiring sanctum of the presiding deity Veerabhadra and his iconography. Veerabhadra of Lepakshi – The Fiery Protector in Stone and Spirit At the heart of the Lepakshi temple complex, within the inner enclosure, stands the sanctum sanctorum that houses Veerabhadra , a fearsome and awe-inspiring form of Shiva. The layout of the shrine itself commands attention;a north-facing garbhagriha , preceded by an antarala , a mukha mandapa , and further flanked by a pillared corridor and the vibrant natyamandapa . This is no ordinary shrine, and Veerabhadra is no ordinary deity. He is said to have emerged from the wrath of Shiva during the destruction of the Daksha Yagna, a fierce manifestation born of sorrow and rage after the self-immolation of Sati. What one encounters a...
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Lepakshi Temple – Part 2: The Architectural Layout of Veerabhadra Temple

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In my previous post, I explored the origins and spiritual significance of Lepakshi, a site layered with mythology, history, and devotion. In this article, I turn to the architectural layout of the Veerabhadra Temple, a structure that reveals its stories not just through sculptures and paintings but through the very spatial arrangement of its sacred geography. The Veerabhadra Temple of Lepakshi does not conform to the rigid axial geometry typical of many South Indian temples. Instead, it presents an organic, multi-tiered layout, an architectural evolution shaped by time, function, and devotion. This irregularity adds to its charm, hinting at the layers of expansion and spiritual imagination it has absorbed over centuries. Lepakshi Ganesha Temple on a Tortoise-Shaped Hill The temple complex sits atop a granite outcrop locally known as Kurma Saila , a hill shaped like a tortoise. The entire temple spreads across approximately 2.5 acres , making it one of the largest architectural ensem...
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Location: Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh 515331, India
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Lepakshi: The Sacred Hill of Legends, Stone, and Devotion

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Just about 120 km from Bengaluru and located inside the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh lies a town that whispers stories through its rocks, murals, and sacred winds: Lepakshi . A place where legends of sages and kings, stone-carved wonders, and centuries of spiritual heritage converge. This sleepy town is home to the magnificent Veerabhadra Temple , a Vijayanagara-period marvel famed for its intricate sculptures, hanging pillar, ceiling paintings, and the iconic monolithic Nandi , one of the largest of its kind in India. Yet, Lepakshi is more than just its temple. It’s a palimpsest of myths, dynasties, and sacred geography, waiting to be explored one step at a time. Lepakshi Nagalinga Swami What’s in a Name? The earliest known reference to Lepakshi is found in the Skanda Purana , where it is mentioned as Lepakshya-Papanasanah , one among the 108 sacred Shaiva sthalas (pilgrimage sites) of South India. Inscriptions call it by various names -  Lepaksha , Lepakshi , or Lepaks...
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Location: Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh 515331, India
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The Majestic Nandi of Lepakshi – A Monolithic Marvel

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In the shadow of divine legends and Vijayanagara grandeur, a young granite bull gazes westward in eternal devotion. About a kilometre before you reach the famed Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the road gently curves to reveal one of India’s largest monolithic Nandi sculptures, a silent guardian carved from a single block of granite, immovable yet full of life. This colossal Nandi , known simply as the Lepakshi Nandi , is one of the finest and most massive of its kind. Sculpted in couchant posture, it measures around 27 feet long and 15 feet high , making it not just one of the largest Nandi sculptures in the country, but one of the most beautifully proportioned. What’s more, it isn’t tucked within a temple complex but rather sits open to the sky , welcoming travellers as they enter the sacred town. Lepakshi Nandi A Young Bull in Stone This Nandi is not just about size; it is about detail. A graceful bell necklace , muvvahara ( a triple-strand necklace) , and delicate earrings a...
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Location: Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh 515331, India
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Where Learning Meets Legacy: A Spiritual Journey through Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir, Rajkilpakkam

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In the suburban serene location called Rajkilpakkam near Tambaram, just outside Chennai, lies a school that is far more than an educational institution. The Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir, run under the aegis of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, offers an environment where learning is steeped in values, culture is lived daily, and divinity walks hand-in-hand with discipline. What makes this campus truly extraordinary is not just the school but the profound spiritual and commemorative landscape that surrounds it: shrines, museums, galleries and installations that together form a living repository of Indian tradition. Let us take a holistic walk through this remarkable complex. Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir, Rajkilpakkam The Temple Trail – From Ganapati to Kamakshi The journey begins at the entrance, where stucco images of Kamakshi Amman, Adi Shankaracharya and Maha Periyava welcome every visitor. On the right is the quaint Vidya Ganapati Temple , modest in size yet rich in devo...
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Location: Rajakilpakkam, Tirusulam, Chennai, St.Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu 600117, India
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Maha Swami Mandapam – A Walk Through the Spiritual Legacy of the Kanchi Sage

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Located inside the peaceful campus of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir at Rajkilpakkam near Tambaram, the Maha Swami Mandapam stands as a sacred and thoughtfully curated space dedicated to His Holiness Pujyasri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal , the 68th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, revered widely as the Maha Periyava or Maha Swami . This two-storeyed mandapam is not just a static display, but an experiential tribute to one of the most spiritually towering personalities of 20th-century India. It invites visitors to relive moments from the life of the sage, his simplicity, intellect, devotion, and untiring yatra across the country on foot. Lifelike Wax Statues in Reverent Silence What makes this mandapam unique is the presence of multiple life-sized wax statues of Maha Swami , each capturing him in a different posture, deeply immersed in japa, blessing devotees with a gentle smile, reading scriptures, or simply seated in meditative stillness. The detailing ...
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Location: Rajakilpakkam, Tirusulam, Chennai, St.Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu 600117, India
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M. S. Subbulakshmi Gallery – A Divine Tribute in Wax and Memory

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In a quiet corner of Rajkilpakkam, near Tambaram, a graceful tribute to one of India’s greatest cultural icons has taken form. A permanent gallery dedicated to Bharat Ratna Dr. Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi has been inaugurated at Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir , honouring her profound contributions to Carnatic music, devotional traditions, and her spiritual connection with the Kanchi Mutt. At the heart of the gallery stands a lifelike wax statue of M.S., captured in a poised moment of divinity and calm, her serene gaze and iconic saree evoking memories of countless soul-stirring renditions. Surrounding her are rare photographs from her life and times , offering a quiet visual biography: M.S. with revered institutions, world dignitaries, spiritual leaders, fellow musicians, and her family. Some of the most touching images depict her reverence to the Acharyas of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, highlighting a bond that transcended music. One of the highlights of the gallery is a display of ...
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Location: Rajakilpakkam, Tirusulam, Chennai, St.Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu 600117, India
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