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In Lepakshi we have
LordPapanaseswara Lord Rama, Lord Veerabhadra and Durga all being worshipped in the
same place. In the Skanda Purana, there is a reference to Lepakshi as one of the hundred
and eight important Siva Kshetras. The temple is said to have been established by saint
Agasthya himself. This shrine was later developed into the present exquisite temple, by
the pious zeal of Virupanna who was the treasurer of the Vijayanagar kings. In the temple,
a shrine of Lord Siva faces that of Lord Vishnu, while in the centre is Lord Veerabhadra.
Thus these three form a triangle with a common mantapam. The temple is
surrounded on all sides by an outer enclosure. There is a second inner enclosure
containing the main parts of the temple. The Natyamantapa and the Ardhamantapa are the
finest parts of the temple. The Natyamantapa is decorated with excellently sculptured
pillars bearing life size representations of musicians and dancers carved with spirit and
vigor.
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