Veerbhadra Lepakshi Temple

• The PM recently visited the Veerbhadra temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Lepakshi and offered prayers.

About the temple

• Location- Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
• The Veerabhadra Temple is believed to have been built by two brothers, Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, who were governors under the Vijayanagara Empire during the 16th century.
• The temple is dedicated to Veerabhadra, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• Legend has it that when Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati, self-immolated in her father’s yagna (sacrificial fire), he was consumed with grief and unleashed his fury by creating Veerabhadra.
• The shrine also has great significance in Ramayana.
  • According to legend, Lepakshi is believed to be the spot where the mythical vulture Jatayu landed after sustaining severe injuries while trying to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana, who had abducted her.
• The Lepakshi temple complex also has idols of Lord Vishnu, Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Rama and other deities.
• Veerabhadra Temple’s architecture is a fusion of Vijayanagara and Chalukyan styles.
• The temple complex comprises three main shrines – Veerabhadra Temple, Papanatheshwara Temple, and Durga Temple.
• It is placed in UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage Sites list.