The high ceilings of
Lepakshi are bedecked with Murals (ceiling paintings), depicting various mythological scenes from the Epics and the Puranas. The Lepakshi Murals are a proof of the exemplary artwork of the Vijayanagar period. The paintings belong to the15th century and are quite well known among art lovers. The Fresco technique of mural painting was adopted, and the source of colors were the naturally occurring dyes present in vegetables and flowers. Though some of the paintings have retained its bright colors, most of them have become less vibrant and lustrous or vanished. Sad but true, the paintings are failing the test of time and need some serious restoration measures.The panels are bordered by floral patterns, mostly in black, while the background color of the paintings is orange red.
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| Builders of Lepakshi-Brothers Virupanna and Viranna (right) |
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| Virupanna's Assistants and Advisers |
The above picture shows the panel depicting the Builders and Patrons of Lepakshi worshiping Lord Shiva. Note their tall head gears (Kulavis) and the style of their Dhotis.
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| Vatapatrasayi - Baby Krishna sucking his toe and lying on Banyan Leaf |
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| Marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna |
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| Arjuna shooting the fish eye with bow and arrow |
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| Draupadi on her father Drupad's lap and Kalabhairava |
The above three pictures form the panel depicting the Swayamvara of Draupadi, the daughter of the Panchala king Drupada.Amongst all he contenders, it was only Arjuna, who shot the eye of the wooden fish fixed on a revolving wheel, while looking at the reflection in the water below and the consequent marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna.
The above four pictures form the panels depicting Lord Shiva's marriage shows Goddess Parvati
in the company of her maidens. The hairstyles and costumes (clothing and
ornaments) worn by the maidens are worthy being noted. The maidens are bare on
their upper half. The panel shows Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Lord
Brahma, the priest of the wedding and the Ashtadikpalakas.
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| Story of Manu Needhi Cholan |
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| The calf is seen under the chariot (left) |
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| Shiva and Parvati on the bull, King, Queen, the Cow and Calf |
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| Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanareeshwara |
The above four pictures depict the legendary story of
Manu Needhi Cholan, a righteous Chola king, who went to the extent of killing his own son in order to provide fair justice to a Cow. On knowing that a calf was crushed under the chariot of his son, the king ordered his son to be crushed under the same chariot in a similar way. The Cow was thus giver fair justice by this . who went on to punish his own son. Being impressed with this, Shiva and Parvati come down to restore the lives of the prince and the calf.
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| Ravana asking for Help from a Shepherd (Lord Ganesha in Disguise) |
