NAINPAKA TEMPLE

Nainpaka temple, The temple that is believed to have built in the 15th or 16th century on a pink stone rock around 25 km to Jayashankar Bhupalpally, unique in style and touted as the one and only in southern India is in a state of shambles. This lesser-known rock-cut temple, a prototype of Sarvatobhadra architecture, which has four deities carved out on a protruded boulder, is a revelation of sorts.

Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the carvings of Yoga Narasimha Swamy, Kaleeya Venugopala Swamy, Sri Rama and Balarama, one on each side of east, south, north and west respectively, on a boulder that is a part of the pink stone bedrock on which temple is located, is a visual fiesta.

The shrine, which has four functional entrances on cardinal directions could be accessed from all sides, is a masterpiece of Sarvatobhadra architecture. The vimana (upper part) of the ornately sculpted 50-foot gopuram (tower) was made of bricks while the Adhishtana (base) was constructed with the pink stones sliced from the bedrock.

Local lore
Local lore has it that once upon a time Bakasura ruled the land. He protected his subjects but killed those outside his kingdom.While he came to be known as a demon, his subjects considered him their god and as a tribute, this temple was built.The structure reflects excellent sculpture. The whole of sanctum sanctorum was carved out of single huge boulder. The ‘sikhara’ was built with bricks.

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