Unresolved Mysteries of Lepakshi - 01

Oxford dictionary defines 'Mystery' as 'something that is difficult to understand, agree or explain'. Mystery is something science can not unravel.

Lepakshi is a wrapped enigma of various questions unanswered till date.

The first one that I'm explaining here is the 'big foot print' that resembles of a huge female. The story believed by the locals of Lepakshi is very interesting.

When Ravana kidnapped Seetha and was on his way to Srilanka, he encountered 'Jatayu' on this mountain where the temple is built. There was a huge fight between Jatayu and Ravana and finally Ravana injured Jatayu by cutting one of the wings with his sword. When Jatayu fell on the rocky mountain, bleeding and struggling to breath, Seetha pressed her right foot on the rock and prayed for Jatayu. In that foot print, water started oozing out from that hard rocky mountain to keep Jatayu alive till Rama could come and meet him.

You can still find water in this foot print.

Question is, is it really Seetha's foot print or just a carving?! If it was really carving, why would they carve a single giant female leg with no purpose? And most important, where is the water coming from?????!!!!! Which doesnt dry out in any season, even when the wells are dried.

Whatever, people believe that this water can heal many diseases. It is consumed as 'theertha' or the 'holy water'.

I had a bad migraine the day when I visited and had forgotten to carry my regular pain killer. Drinking this water really helped me. I survived without taking a pain killer for the first time in last 7 years.

Strange, unbelievable, but true.....

Lepakshi Pillar Carvings - Saree Designs

The new age fashion designers who borrow inspiration from ancient architecture, are actually copying standard designs from various carvings like the one you see in the clicks below.

On arrival at the grand temple of Lepakshi, you get a chance to glance at the beautiful Lepakshi Saree designs that are carved on the pillars. The brilliantly carved textures are an epitome of creativity in the hands of Indian carvers.

There are 36 pillars which have different designs carved on each of the side. So 4*36 = 144 designs that are generally used in border designs of popular Kalamkari and other cotton hand printed sarees, popularly known as the 'Lepakshi Sarees'. The name is because the designs are originally from the Lepakshi temple architecture and they are not available for purchase here. You can buy them in Lepakshi handicraft shop in Hyderabad, a tourism department initiative.