Page 688 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

686  SOUTH INDIA

depicting episodes from the form), the temple stands in
Ramayana (see p31) and the middle of two concentric
the Krishna legend, while enclosures, built on three levels.
scenes from Shiva mythology It is entered through a gopura
are sculpted on the walls of on the north side. On either side
the Shiva Temple. of the inner entrance are figures
The adjacent Gagan Mahal is of the river goddesses Ganga
a palatial structure dating to the and Yamuna, with a background
Vijayanagar period. An arcaded of foliage. Among the other
verandah leads to a vaulted hall notable sculptures here are the
with rear chambers. The domed carvings on the massive pillars
pavilion above is topped by a that define the central space
pyra midal octagonal tower. in the open hall; the deities,
A similar, smaller tower tops the guardians and sages carved on
adjoining staircase. To its east is to the piers of the unfinished
a square pavilion with curving Kalyana Mandapa; and the
eaves, a pierced imposing monolithic
parapet and an seven-headed naga
Ornate mihrab of the Sher Shah Mosque, octagonal pyra midal (serpent) sheltering a
Penukonda tower. The interior granite linga, to the
has traces of intricate southeast of the main
s Penukonda plasterwork. Nearby shrine. Paintings in
is a well with an vibrant vegetable
Anantapur district. 425 km
(264 miles) SW of Hyderabad. ornate entrance and mineral colours
@ _ Babayya Fair (Dec). shaped like a lion. Monolithic naga, cover the ceilings
A short distance Virabhadra Temple of the two adjoining
A rocky hill dominates north of the walled mandapas (one
Penukonda, or the “Big Hill”, with city is the Dargah of Babayya, open and the other walled in),
walls rising up its steep sides to the shrine of a 16th-century the walls of the Ardha Mandapa
form an almost triangular fort. Muslim saint. A popular and some subsidiary shrines.
A strategic Vijayanagar citadel pilgrimage place, which was Gods and goddesses, groups
from the 14th to the 16th much patronized by Tipu Sultan of donors and worshippers,
centuries, Penukonda was (see p521), it holds a big fair and scenes from myths and
the capital of the succeeding every December. legends, bear witness to the
Aravidu rulers until it was superb pictorial art of the
captured, first by the Qutb Vijayanagar empire.
Shahis, and then by, the Mughals d Lepakshi A gory legend connected to
followed by the Marathas. Anantapur district. 478 km (297 miles) the Virabhadra Temple says that
Today, gateways, watchtowers, SW of Hyderabad. @ ( daily. Virupanna misused state funds
dilapidated halls and shrines _ Shivratri (Feb/Mar). to build this shrine, and then
skirt the path to the summit. forestalled royal punishment by
At the foot of the hill is An enormous monolith of blinding himself. The two dark
the walled city, with its main Nandi, Shiva’s bull, stands 1 km reddish spots on the western
gateways in the northern and (0.6 miles) east of Lepakshi, wall of the inner enclosure
eastern sides. To the south is a welcoming visitors to this are said to be the marks left
large tank. The main monuments important pilgrimage town. by his eyes.
are situated along the city’s north- Lepakshi’s top
south road. The Parsvanatha attraction is the
Jain Temple here contains a Virabhadra Temple,
remarkable sculpture, dating which stands on a rocky
from the Hoysala period (12th– outcrop. It was built in
13th centuries), of the Jain saint the mid-16th century,
Parsvanatha (see p401) standing under the patronage of
in front of an undulating two brothers, Virupanna
serpent. The 16th-century Sher and Viranna, governors
Shah Mosque, nearby, has of Penukonda under
an arcaded façade and a the Vijayanagar empire.
bulbous dome. The temple is an
Further south, standing next important repository
to each other, are two granite of the styles of sculpture
temples dedicated to Rama and painting that evolved
and Shiva. The pilastered façade during this period.
walls of the Rama Temple are Dedicated to Virabhadra
brought to life by carvings (Shiva in his ferocious Carved pillars at the Virabhadra Temple
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p703 and p719

686-687_EW_India.indd 686 26/04/17 11:50 am
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Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm