Lepakshi is a small town in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Town was built during the Vijayanagara period (1336–1646) and it is historically and archaeologically significant, with three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra. The most interesting thing about Lepakshi is its hanging pillar.
A pillar which is attached with the ceiling but not to the floor. One can easily swipe a piece of cloth or paper mid-air that separates the ground and the pillar. The pillar is at Veerabhadra temple and it is famous as Aakaasa Sthambha (floating pillar).
There are about 70 pillars at this fabulous temple of stone in Vijayanagar style, but this one is the best known and a tribute to the engineering genius of ancient and medieval India’s temple builders.
The 70 feet pillar is believed to have been dislodged by a British engineer who unsuccessfully tried to remove it to uncover the secret of its support.
The Veerabhadra temple dates back to 1583 and was built by two brothers Virupanna and Veeranna, who were allies of the Vijayanagar empire.
Temple is famous for its sculptures, which were created by the artisans of Vijayanagara empire. Lepakshi is also renowned for having one of the best collections of mural paintings from the Vijayanagar Kings period. Many old Kannada inscriptions dating back centuries can be seen on its walls. The inside of the temple is carved out of granite.
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