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The temple at Lepakshi, famous for its 'hanging pillar' and built in the Vijayanagara style, is the:
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Answer: Option D — Veerabhadra Temple
Detailed Solution
The Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi, in the Sri Sathya Sai district (earlier Anantapur district) of Andhra Pradesh, is famous for its "hanging pillar" and its Vijayanagara-style architecture and paintings.
About the Veerabhadra Temple:
- It was built in 1530 (or around 1538) by two brothers, Virupanna and Viranna, who were governors (nayakas) under the Vijayanagara king Achyuta Deva Raya.
- It is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a fierce form of Shiva.
- It is built on a low rocky hill called "Kurma Saila" (tortoise hill), because of its shape.
The "Hanging Pillar":
Among the 70 pillars of its "natya mandapa" (dance hall), one pillar does not fully touch the ground. Visitors can pass a thin cloth or paper under it.
It is said that a British engineer tried to move it to discover the secret of how the roof was supported, which disturbed its position.
Its other features:
Its ceilings have some of the best-preserved Vijayanagara mural paintings, showing scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas, and the life of the time. The large painting of Veerabhadra on the ceiling of the ardhamandapa is about 24 by 14 feet.
A huge monolithic "Nandi" (bull), about 4.5 metres high and 8.2 metres long, about 200 metres from the temple, is one of the largest monolithic Nandis in India.
A large "Naga Linga": a Shiva lingam with a seven-hooded serpent carved from a single rock.
An unfinished "Kalyana Mandapa" (marriage hall).
A large footprint on the rock, believed by some to be that of Sita.
Legend:
- "Lepakshi" is believed to come from "Le Pakshi" ("Rise, O bird"), which Lord Rama is said to have told the wounded bird Jatayu, who fell here after fighting Ravana.
- The temple was proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status and is on the tentative list (2022) as part of the "Lepakshi Group of Monuments".
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple in January 2024.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Virupaksha Temple is at Hampi.
- ✗The Vittala Temple is at Hampi.
- ✗The Mallikarjuna Temple is at Srisailam (and Pattadakal).
Quick tip
Remember: Lepakshi = Veerabhadra Temple, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh (about 1530; built by Virupanna and Viranna under Achyuta Deva Raya; hanging pillar; Vijayanagara murals; huge monolithic Nandi; Jatayu legend).
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Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the Vijayanagara Empire, founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, and the Bahmani Sultanate, founded by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah in 1347, along with the Deccan sultanates that followed. It includes their rulers, administration, architecture and the accounts of foreign travellers. The most tested ruler is Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty, a patron of Telugu literature and author of Amuktamalyada. Other common questions cover the Battle of Talikota (1565), the Vijayanagara capital Hampi, and the foreign travellers who visited, such as Nicolo Conti, Abdur Razzaq and Domingo Paes. Practise the Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.