Indian Columbus

Lepakshi, a serene village in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, holds within its bounds layers of mythology, artistry, and emotion. Known for its famed Veerabhadra Temple and exquisite Vijayanagara architecture, Lepakshi also bears witness to one of the most poignant moments from the Ramayana, through a monumental sculpture of the valiant bird, Jatayu. The Legend Behind the Rock According to the Ramayana, Jatayu, the mighty vulture-king and a devout friend of Rama's father Dasharatha, confronted Ravana as he abducted Sita in his flying chariot. Jatayu fought valiantly to rescue Sita, but was fatally wounded and fell to the ground. It was at this spot,now called Lepakshi , that Rama and Lakshmana later found the dying Jatayu, who recounted the incident before passing away. Moved by his loyalty and sacrifice, Rama granted him moksha (liberation). Interestingly, the name Lepakshi is believed to have originated from Rama’s compassionate words to the fallen bird: “Le Pakshi” ...

Located near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border, the quiet village of Vidurashwatha in Chikkaballapur district is best known today for its serene temple dedicated to Santhana Nagendra Swamy and its annual jatre . But nestled behind the temple is a memorial that tells a story few remember; a tale of sacrifice, resistance, and tragic bloodshed. It is no exaggeration that Vidurashwatha stands as the Jallianwala Bagh of the South , a phrase that echoes the grief and glory of a largely forgotten chapter in India’s freedom movement. The Flag That Stirred a Nation On 25th April 1938 , as India’s fight for independence surged across the subcontinent, Vidurashwatha became the site of a bold act of defiance. Inspired by the Shivapura Satyagraha , a group of leaders from the Indian National Congress and villagers from Hindupur , Gauribidanur , and nearby areas decided to hoist the national flag at Vidurashwatha. The act was simple but significant: they would raise the Swaraj flag despite t...

Vidurashwatha is a quiet village situated near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border, just 5 kilometers from Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. Though small in size, the place holds enormous religious and historical importance. It is home to the Vidurashwatha Temple, a sacred site dedicated to Santhana Nagendra Swamy , and is regarded as a significant Parihara Sthalam for resolving all forms of Naga Dosha . The Legend of Vidura and the Ashwatha Tree As the name suggests, Vidurashwatha is linked to the sage-like courtier Vidura , a key figure in the Mahabharata. After the devastation of the Kurukshetra war, Vidura sought spiritual salvation and approached Sri Krishna for guidance. Krishna advised him to undertake a pilgrimage. Eventually, Vidura reached the hermitage of Maitreya Maharishi , located at this very spot. While performing his Sandhyavandana in the nearby river, Vidura came across a small Ashwatha (banyan) sapling. As per the rishi’s advice, Vidura worship...

Located between the ancient ramparts of Penukonda Fort, Gagan Mahal stands as a unique architectural specimen that blends Indo-Islamic aesthetics with the cultural imprint of the Vijayanagara Empire. This historical palace, believed to have served as a summer residence for Vijayanagara rulers, showcases the imperial elegance of an era that once extended its influence across the Deccan. A Glimpse into the Past Penukonda, once the second capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after Hampi, flourished under the rule of kings such as Achyuta Deva Raya and Sadasiva Raya. The Gagan Mahal, literally translating to "Sky Palace," played an important role in housing royalty and hosting courtly activities. The palace dates back to the Vijayanagara period (1575 CE) and was once flanked by structures such as Rani Mahal, Siva Mukteswara and Basaveswara Temples, all situated within the fortified area. Architectural Details The palace consists of two levels: an upper floor and a ground floor...

Near the Sunrise Viewpoint within the fort precincts of Penukonda stands a striking and monumental form of Shiva . Positioned against a dramatic natural backdrop of rugged hills and cloudy skies, this contemporary representation serves as a visual and spiritual anchor for the region, an area once resonating with the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire. The seated form of Shiva , rendered in soothing bluish-grey tones, is seen in a meditative posture, legs crossed in yogasana, arms resting on the knees, fingers gently curved in dhyana mudra. Calm and commanding, the expression reflects stillness, balance, and inward focus. A towering Trishula rises beside the image, reinforcing the iconography associated with the deity. While clearly a recent addition, the structure maintains spiritual continuity with the sacred geography of Penukonda, a town marked by its shrines, stepped tanks and mandapas. From the Sunrise Point, panoramic views of the Penukonda plains unfold, with the layered cl...

Located within the fortified landscape of Penukonda, a historic town that once served as a capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, stands the lesser-known yet striking Yogi Rama Swamy Temple . Often overshadowed by its neighbor, the Kasi Viswanatha Temple, this shrine deserves equal recognition for its architectural grace, sculptural wealth, and devotional ambiance. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 1500s, during the zenith of Vijayanagara rule. In fact, it is located so close to the Kasi Viswanatha shrine that both can be viewed as twin temples , possibly built as part of the same sacred precinct or royal complex. Yogi Rama Swamy Temple of Penukonda Architectural Highlights The entrance to the Yogi Rama Swamy Temple is simple, marked by a mukhya dwara , a main gateway that intriguingly lacks a gopuram. This has led some to speculate that a gopuram was originally planned but never completed. Despite the absence of a tower, the gateway itself holds artistic surprises...

Tucked against the rugged green slopes of Penukonda hills, the Kasi Vishveswara Swami Temple stands as a stunning showcase of Vijayanagara-era craftsmanship. Though modest in scale compared to imperial temples of Hampi, this shrine captivates through its densely packed sculptural narrative that sprawls across the outer and inner prakara walls. Penukonda Viswanatha Temple Architectural Grandeur The temple follows a typical Dravidian layout with a sanctum (garbhagriha), ardha-mandapa, and a spacious circumambulatory path encased within two prakaras. What makes it architecturally striking is the superb adhisthana (base moulding) and bhitti (wall surface) work. The prakara walls are divided into repeating bays defined by slender kumbha panjaras , which not only provide rhythm to the façade but also act as narrative panels. The adhisthana is richly moulded with sequences of yali friezes, floral scrolls, and animal processions, setting the stage for the story-filled bhitti above. Penukond...

Penukonda, a name that evokes echoes of the Vijayanagara empire. Once a flourishing capital, it still cradles the remnants of its regal past, fort walls that rise and fall with the contours of the hill, gopurams that once touched the sky, mandapas that whispered chants, and stepwells that quenched both thirst and spirit. Penukonda Narasimha Swami Tempe A winding road inside the fort takes one toward a lesser-known but expansive temple complex perched high on a hill, the Narasimha Swami Temple. Though the deity’s sanctum remains silent today, the ruins carry a profound voice of their own. As one ascends the curvy path through gateways, hairpin bends, and dusty tracks, one is greeted by fragments of fortifications that once stood watch. A solitary gateway marks the entrance to a small plateau, and from there, the temple’s grand ambition unfolds. Penukonda Narasimha Swami Tempe The complex sprawls generously, a massive gopuram, several mandapas, a mukha-mandapa, and a stepped well (Kal...

Penukonda, once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after the fall of Hampi, is a treasure trove of architectural surprises and forgotten heritage. Amid its temples, forts, and water tanks, stands the Jamia Masjid . From a distance, the building may resemble a typical Vijayanagara-period mandapa. Indeed, it originally was. A classic hall with sturdy pillars, a simple sloping roof, and yalis (mythical lions) at the base, this mandapa was most likely part of a Shiva temple that stood within the Penukonda fort precincts. Today, that very mandapa serves as the front façade of the Jamia Masjid . An inscription found within the mosque clearly dates the mosque to 1668 CE , built by Abdul Hassan during the reign of Ali Adil Shah II of the Bijapur Sultanate .  Architecturally, the Jamia Masjid bears close resemblance to other Bijapuri mosques . Happy travelling.

Pala Venkatramana Swamy Gopuram and the Silent Tank of Penukonda Remnants of a Temple Town’s Golden Past Penukonda, once the second capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, is a layered palimpsest of history, faith, and forgotten glory. Amidst its crumbling ramparts and scattered shrines, two starkly contrasting yet equally evocative structures stand out,  a towering 4-tiered gopuram , the last surviving witness of the Pala Venkatramana Swamy Temple , and the massive granite water tank  that served the town's sacred and secular needs. The Tower Without a Temple The gopuram, built in the characteristic Vijayanagara style , rises elegantly with its four diminishing tiers, each defined by ornate pilasters, miniature shrines, and decorative moldings. Though the temple it once crowned no longer survives, the gopuram remains stoic its weathered stucco work and granitic base telling tales of devotional fervor and royal, patronage. This imposing gateway structure likely dates ba...