Page 689 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

ANDHR A PR ADESH AND TELANGANA  687

Lepakshi Paintings

The glory of Lepakshi lies in the magnificent frescoed ceilings of the Virabhadra Temple,
where a series of exquisite paintings illustrate in lively fashion episodes from the epics
and the Puranas. The figures are shown in profile, with prominent eyes and sharply
chiselled noses and chins. The frescoes are characterized by elegant black linework, set
out against an orange-red background. Particularly striking are the beautiful costumes
and the detailed rendering of hairstyles, textile patterns and jewellery. The palette of
colours is limited to white, green, black and various shades of ochre and brown, applied
to a stucco surface specially treated with lime. Some of the most beautiful paintings are
on the ceiling of the open mandapa, arranged in long strips along the surrounding bays.
Brahma officiating Garuda, Vishnu’s
Ravana Nandi Shiva Parvati as the priest bird-vehicle

The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati
This is Lepakshi’s most spectacular fresco, and echoes the murals at Ajanta (see pp483–5)
in its colours, detailed depiction of costumes and jewellery, and graceful female figures.

Dakshinamurti (Shiva as a Divine
Teacher) is shown seated on a
hillock, expounding
on mysticism
and philosophy
to sages
gathered
at his feet.
Parvati, with her maids, is shown getting ready for the
wedding. Flat figures in stylized poses, often arranged
in rows, characterize these paintings.

The Boar Hunt
shows a wild
boar charging
at Arjuna and
Shiva, who are
preparing to
shoot him.

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