Lepakshi : An Ideal Weekend Getaway from Bangalore

Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh makes an ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore. It is just over a two hour drive from Bangalore. An architectural wonder, it makes a perfect destination for photography enthusiasts too.

Nandi Statue : First thing you notice entering Lepakshi is the huge monolithic Nandi statue. The sculpture is 10 meter in length and 6 meter in height. Nandi is decorated with a necklace, muvvahara and a garland of bells and has short horns. You can also find the emblem of Karnataka Government, Gandaberunda, a two-headed mythological bird on the necklace of Nandi.

Nandi Statue, Lepakshi

Veerabhadra Temple : Moving ahead you will find Veerabhadra temple. 16th century Veerabhadra temple embodies the famed Vijayanagara architecture. As you enter, you find that the gopuram of the temple is not completed. 
But poojas are held just like other temples. Idol of Veerabhadra Swamy worshipped here is bigger than the size of a man. Apart from the stone carvings on the pillars, you can also find paintings on the ceiling.

Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Pillars of Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi : One mesmerizing aspect of Lepakshi is the presence of a hanging pillar. This pillar does not rest on the ground. One can pass anything like a twig or a cloth under the pillar unscathed. Needless to say it was a center of attraction of all the visitors.

Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi

Naga statue : As you take a pradakshina around the temple, you will notice a massive Naga statue carved out of single stone, providing shelter to the Shivalingam made of black granite. It is one of the fascinating sights in Lepakshi. This is the poster picture of Lepakshi if googled for the historical place.

Statue of Naga sheltering Shivalingam, Lepakshi

Kalyana Mandapam : As you proceed further, you find Kalyana Mandapam(marriage hall). An architectural wonder, it is disheartening to see the structure incomplete. Ornate pillars form the main attraction here. As you get down from the mandapam, you find a wide area which houses a tower reminiscent of the Kempegowda tower in Bangalore. Also, you find a huge foot imprint in the rock, believed to be the imprint of the Lord Rama's foot.

Kalyana Mandapam, Lepakshi

Pillars of Unfinished Kalyan Mandapam, Lepakshi

How to get there : Lepakshi is around 120 kms from Bangalore. You can take the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway(NH 7) to reach Kodikonda, At Kodikonda, you need to take left turn to Lepakshi road. Lepakshi is around 16 kms from Kodikonda. You need to cross two toll plazas, if you are taking NH 7 route. One near Bangalore International Airport and another near Bagepalli. After crossing Bagepalli toll plaza, within 7 kms, you will find Kodikonda.

Food and Accommodation : You will not find good hotels/restaurants for accommodation and food. So, it is better you carry food if you are going for a day trip. If you plan to stay, Puttaparthi, (which houses Sri Satya Sai Baba Ashram) is the best option, which is 64 kms from Lepakshi.

Statue of Naga sheltering Shivalingam, Lepakshi

Small Gopuram, Lepakshi

Veerabhadra Temple Corridor, Lepakshi

Paintings on Veerabhadra Temple Ceilings, Lepakshi

Mythical Gandaberunda on necklace of Nandi, Lepakshi