Lepakshi is famous for the Veerabhadra temple complex. Lepakshi is an ultimate testimony for Vishwakarma brahmins who sculpted these temples. This temple serves as the best example and a tribute to the engineering genius of temple builders of ancient India.
Ghati Subramanya
The uniqueness of this temple is that the prime deity Lord Subramanya or Karthikeya, is found together with Lord Narasimha, both of whom are enshrined on the same idol back to back. Lord Subramanya is in the form of a seven hooded serpent, placed on a peacock and facing east while that of Narasimha stands on the back of the same idol, facing west.
Vidhurashwatha – connecting Mahabharatha and freedom movement of India
Vidhurashwatha is a small village famous for Ashwatha tree (banyan, peepal, or fig tree), believed to be planted by Vidhura during the Mahabharatha times. Vidhurashwatha is also famous as the “Jallianwala Bagh of South India.”
Hanging pillar
The star attraction is the famous ‘hanging pillar’ that barely rests on the floor. There is a small gap between the floor and base of the pillar which gives the impression of the hanging pillar.
Lepakshi Nagalinga
The Shiva linga here adorned with three-coiled and seven-hooded naga prabhavali. The naga prabhavali forms a sheltering canopy over the Shiva linga made of black granite. This beautiful monolithic sculpture is 15 feet tall, the biggest in India. The entire structure stands on a raised platform making you feel tiny in front of it.
Where the ceiling is canvas
The mural paintings can be seen on ceiling of the Veerabhadra temple, mahamantapa of the Raghunatha temple, Parvathi temple, and shayana mandira. The 24×14 feet fresco of Veerabhadra on the ceiling in the ardha mantapa is the largest in India.
Stone pillars cast in gold
The warm glow from the setting sun creates a magic in the main hall: each and every pillar glows in all its ‘golden’ glory!
Royal Durbar Hall
Royal Durbar Hall, Ambavilas Palace (Mysore Palace)
Chamundeshwari temple
Sri Chamundeshwari temple atop the Chamundi hills is about 13 kms from Mysuru. Chamundi is the fierce form of ‘Shakti’. She is the slayer of demons, Chanda and Munda and also Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed monster.
Cannon guns that evoke feelings of love and admiration
These cannons are that these were purchased not for war! Once every year, during the grand Dasara processions, shots from these cannons will reverberate for 90 seconds. They evoke profound feelings of love and admiration rather than instilling fear.