Engineering Enigma:The Lepakshi Temple's Hanging Pillar Defies Gravity

India has always been a land of rich cultural heritage, and the Veerbhadra Lepakshi Temple at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh is a true marvel of Indian architecture and a stunning example of the Vijayanagara Empire's artistic prowess. The temple, dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, is a sight to behold. Carved out of rock, the temple features timeless art such as beautiful frescoes and murals. Built on a rocky hill, the temple is also inspired by its surroundings, giving it a unique and breathtaking appearance. This temple has a rich history, as per the Puranas, the Veerabhadra temple was built by the sage Agastya. The temple houses many important deities such as Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Nandi, among others. It is also believed that the brave Pakshi Jatayu fell at this spot after his battle with Ravana to rescue Mata Sita, and Lord Rama said to the brave bird “Le Pakshi” — ‘rise, bird’ in Telugu. The temple also boasts of a footprint that is believed to be of Mata Sita. One of the most intriguing aspects of this temple is the hanging pillar. The pillar, which appears to be hanging in the air, is a stunning tribute to the engineering genius of ancient and medieval India’s temple builders.  You can witness this feat by moving a twig slowly under the pillar or sending a scarf between the pillar's base and the floor under it. From one end to the other, the pillar defies gravity and leaves tourists gasping with wonder.Despite the best efforts of many, the secret of how the hanging pillar at the Lepakshi temple was crafted remains unknown to this day. As you wander around the temple, you will discover the glory of the Vijayanagara kingdom, which gave patronage to artists who created amazing pictorial representations. The temple features images of musicians, saints, dancing Ganesha idol, and sculptures of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva. There is also a cave chamber where Sage Agasthya is said to have lived. The Lepakshi temple stands as a reminder of India's greatness and its rich cultural heritage. This temple is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and magnificence of Indian art and architecture.

This Amazing Wildlife Photographer’s Dream Comes True as He Transforms an Arid, Dry Land Into a Mini Forest

The magic of soil can convert a brown barren land into a green forest full of trees that provide shelter to numerous birds and animals. However, that requires a lot of passionate effort and care on our part and only a few manage to make it happen. Pompayya Malemath is one such great person who through his relentless commitment managed to transform a rocky patch of land into a thriving forest bursting with flora and fauna. Malemath is a 53-year-old wildlife photographer residing in the Vijayanagar district near the ruins of Hampi. When he is not planting trees, the wildlife enthusiast is bird-watching or rescuing snakes. Within a decade, 800 trees of 60 varieties stand tall in the mini forest under his dedication and care. Malemath who dreamt of changing the arid land into a scenic landscape is aware of the hardships that entailed in bringing about this transformation. It was a rocky patch of land and he had to move the rocks and prepare the soil by adding water and organic manure. He also went the extra mile to turn an adjoining government land leased out to him into a mini-forest. Many nature enthusiasts come to him for advice. He even conducts various activities like bird watching and herpetology classes for schoolchildren in his mini forest. The forest also hosts many rare bird species. The rocky patch of land was not at all conducive for trees, but the abundance of trees standing tall in Malemath’s forest is evidence of the triumph of the human spirit.