| Apart from the huge
monolithic Nandi which is the largest sculpture of Nandi in India, Lepakshi is famous for
its exquisite Vijayanagar style of sculpture which is found in the Natyamantapa and the
Kalyanamantapam as well as from the mural paintings that are found in the upper part of
these walls. These sculptures depict a number of Puranic legends and epics and a study of
the temple sculptures is an education by itself in the Puranas as well as in the legends. There are excellent sculptures of Ananthasayana, life size figures of
Virupanna and images of Dattatreya, Chaturmukha Brahma, Tumburu, Narada and Rambha in the
Rangamantapa. The musical instruments, costumes, the gestures and the ornaments of the
Gods have been delineated here with great accuracy. Especially beautiful are the
sculptures of Annapoorna, Mrutyunjaya and Padmini. |
