Kiratharjuniyam , Murals of Lepakshi, Veerabhadra temple, Hindupur

                                            Lepakshi is a village in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. The Veerabhadra temple of Lepakshi, built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, is dedicated to Veerabhadra. Folklore in these parts says that Lepakshi actually is “le pakshi”, which means “rise bird” in Telugu. During the Ramayana era, this was the place where Jataayu (the legendary bird) fought Raavana as he was kidnapping Sita. Ultimately, Jataayu lost the battle and fell here. When Rama came searching for Sita, he found Jataayu, who told him of Sita's kidnapping by Raavana and the direction he had taken. Rama is then supposed to have asked Jataayu “le pakshi”, asking him to rise and hence the name “le pakshi” for the place.

                                                          The Veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi was built in the 16th century, during the command of King Achuta Deva Raya. The murals of Lepakshi are most excellent displays of the murals and paintings of Vijayanagara period. The ceiling is divided into a number of strips and the individual strips are broken into square or rectangular panels. Each one of the panels depicts a particular scene, or part of one, in keeping with the theme of representation in the central panel.           
       

                                                            Kiratharjuniyam Mahakavya by Bhairavi on the penance of Arjuna to obtain Pashupathastra from Shiva was held in great reverence by the patrons, painters, sculptors and architects of Vijayanagar period. The story has been painted in a continuous narrative sequence at two locations and sculpted in relief on the wall of the Veerabhadraswamy temple in Lepakshi. In the Natyamantapa, it is painted on the ceiling in four rectangular panels, surrounding the cosmic lotus relief located in the central dome.

West :

Saint Veda Vyasa meets Pandavas and recommends Arjuna to get the powerful weapons , which will help them in future to fight war against Kauravas. Bhima, Nakul and Sahadeva are behind Dharamaraya.

Arjuna taking directions from Yaksha to Indrakeeladri hills to do penance. Arjuna worshiping shivalinga along with his mount nandi. Arjuna worshiping Bhairava.

North:

 Rishi informs Indra, seated in his palace with his attendants’ about Arjuna's penance.

Arjuna doing penance, standing on one foot to get powerful weapons from Indra to fight war against Kauravas. Arjuna prostrating to Indra when he appears in his true form to bless him. Indra asks Arjuna to pray Shiva and get Pashupatastra from him.

East:

Sages complain to Shiva of severity of Arjuna’s penance at Indrakeeladri Mountain. Parvati is seen with four arms holding lotus flowers in her upper hands and the lower arms are held in anjali mudra. Parvathi is accompanied by Nandi, Bringhi and Sanakadhi munis. 

 Shiva and Parvathi come to Indrakeeladri, where Arjuna is in penance. An ant hill had grown around him and snakes were sprawling over him. Disguised as Kirata and Kirati (hunters), they roam around Indrakeeladri chasing the demon Mukasura who is in the form of a wild boar. 

Rishimunis of Indrakeeladri run in mayhem from the approaching boar. Tribals watch the destruction by Mukasura. Disturbed of his penance, Arjuna attacks it from one side and Shiva also shoots at it from the other side. The demon Mukasura is killed by their arrows shot simultaneously in the front and back.

South:

Completely damaged