Trip Overview
Lepakshi is a captivating village located in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Renowned for its rich historical and architectural heritage, it is most famous for the Veerabhadra Temple, a 16th-century marvel adorned with intricate carvings and stunning frescoes. Visitors are captivated by the temple’s unique features, including the iconic hanging pillar, making Lepakshi a must-visit destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.
Lepakshi Day Trip from Bangalore Overview:
Lepakshi is popular for the 15th-century Virabhadra temple built in the times of the Vijayanagara Empire. Built on a low tortoise-shaped hill, Veerabhadra temple is famous for beautiful intricate stone carvings, amazing rock pillars, and a stone monolith of Nagalinga—a multi-headed snake. The other famous attraction in Lepakshi is the stone monolith Nandi statue, said to be the largest of its kind in the world. As per Hindu mythology in the Ramayana, Lepakshi is the place where Jatayu fell after a fight with Ravana.
The Bangaluru to Lepakshi route takes the Bangalore airport expressway and road from Devanahalli to Lepakshi. It is a nice countryside drive. Lepakshi is a small town, and there are no proper hotels here. The nearest railway station is in Hindupur, about 15 km away. Prominent temples to visit in Lepakshi:
Veerbhadra Temple: Located in the centre of the village is the Veerbhadra Temple, commonly known as Lepakshi Temple. Legend has it that it was built by Sage Agastya. The most important feature of this temple is the 18-foot-tall Nagalinga, a monolithic carving of a multi-headed snake shielding the Shivalinga. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu.
Frescoes of Lepakshi: The Lepakshi temple has one of the finest mural paintings of the Vijayanagar Empire. It is also believed to be the largest in India from that era. Mural paintings depict different parts of sacred texts, such as one depicting the Shiva-Parvathi wedding.
Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi: You can call it a wonder or an engineering marvel of medieval India. The column is literally hanging in the air, and one can pass a piece of paper underneath it.
Nandi of Lepakshi: The huge monolithic bull carved out of a massive single stone is the largest monolithic structure in India. The sculpture is about 5 meters high and 8 meters long and is very exquisitely carved.
Papanatha Temple: Adjacent to the Veerabhadra Temple, the Papanatha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It features similar architectural styles and intricate carvings, but is smaller in size compared to the main temple.
Raghunatha Swamy Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is located near the Veerabhadra Temple complex. It’s relatively smaller but still boasts impressive sculptures and carvings.
Please note
- This is not a guided tour; the driver will not be the guide for the tour.
- This is an outstation tour; hence, the vehicle cannot be used for the local city tour.
Lepakshi Day Trip Highlights:
- See the huge Nandi Bull, the largest such monolithic structure in India.
- Visit the 15th-century Lepakshi temple, which houses some amazing mural paintings, hanging pillar and a huge monolith Nagalinga
