Amazing Places To See In Lepakshi: Adventure Awaits!
The 6 amazing places to see in Lepakshi, do you know what they are?
Lepakshi, in Andhra Pradesh, India, is renowned for its stunning 16th-century Vijayanagara Empire architecture and intricate temples. The centerpiece is the Lepakshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It features exquisite frescoes, detailed carvings, and the famous hanging pillar, which defies easy explanation.
The temple complex also boasts a massive Nandi bull statue and impressive sculptural details that reflect the region’s rich artistic heritage. Lepakshi is a remarkable testament to the grandeur of ancient South Indian architecture and a significant site for both history and spirituality.
Our trip to Lepakshi was impromptu. We were in Puttaparthi on our pilgrimage and decided to visit some of the places in and near Lepakshi.
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Step into a world where history and creativity converge. This region offers a treasure trove of ancient temples, breathtaking sculptures, and intricate paintings. Join the Temple Art and Architecture Tour for a unique experience where art, architecture, and history are one.
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Where is Lepakshi?
Lepakshi is a quaint village in Andhra Pradesh. The town is about 43 miles from Puttaparthi and 76 miles from Bengaluru. The city is a hidden gem of the Vijayanagara Empire, with the Veerbhadra Swamy Temple being its focal point for locals and tourists alike.
Within the temple grounds are treasure troves of artistic wonders: the hanging pillar, the Nagalinga, the beautiful frescoes and murals, and the Nandi statue, which is a short distance from the temple.
Lepakshi has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, and a short monsoon season. The best time to visit Lepakshi is during the winter months from October to February when the cool weather makes it perfect sightseeing and exploring the surrounding areas.
What is Lepakshi famous for?
Lepakshi is known for its rich cultural and historical significance, especially as the center for art and architecture from the Vijayanagara Empire. However, you can read about Our South India Itinerary: How To See 3 Places In 3 Days where we explored Trichy, Thanjavur, and Rameshwaram.
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Veerbhadra Swamy Temple
The first of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi was the Veerbhadra Swamy Temple. Two brothers, who were governors under the Vijayanagara Empire, built the temple on a tortoise-shaped hill in the 16th century.
As we walked along the uneven path, there were signages throughout the area which led us to the three main areas within the temple complex. The governors attributed with building the temple were Virupanna and Viranna.
The legend goes that the two brothers built the temple using royal funds, without the king’s permission. The king ordered Virupanna to be blinded as punishment when he discovered this. Virupanna blinded himself before the king’s men could punish him, leaving bloodstains that can still be seen today.
As we walked the uneven path, we admired the architectural marvel of the temple which blends art and sculpture beautifully. Mythologically, this temple sits on the site where Lord Shiva danced in rage after the death of his consort, Sati.
The frescoes throughout the temple depict the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, illustrations from the Ramayan and Mahabharat, and the different manifestations of Lord Shiva.
The Areas Within the Temple Complex
The three areas within the complex are the Mukha Mandapa (Entrance Hall). As we walked into this hall, we were amazed by the detailed carvings on the pillars and ceilings. Though small, its grandeur left us speechless.
The meticulous carvings of the Nandi statue with its expressive eyes showcase the skills of the artisans. The famous Hanging Pillar is found inside the Mukha Mandapa. The pillar is an engineering marvel in its own right. But, more of the pillar later.
The second area is the Ardha Mandapa or the Antechamber which is a transitional space between the entrance hall and the sanctum sanctorum. We looked up at the ceiling and admired the large frescoes depicting the various episodes from the Puranas, Ramayan, and Mahabharat.
While the frescoes are known for their vibrant colors and intricate details, the statues of Veerbhadra exude power and divinity.
The third area is the Garbhagriha or the inner sanctums of the temple complex. It is here that the main deity, Lord Veerbhadra resides. Unlike other temples, the sacred space has a simple design making it a focal point of worship.
The temple’s overall grandeur and significance are enhanced by a cohesive spiritual and architectural experience formed by these three areas. The statues and carvings within these spaces depict religious stories and also showcase the artistic and cultural achievements of the Vijayanagara period.
Within the temple itself are several areas which makes it an important tourist site. The Hanging Pillar, the incomplete Kalyana Mandapam, the Nagalinga, and the statue of Lord Ganesh carved into the granite were some areas we spent most time at.
Hanging Pillar
The Hanging Pillar was the second of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi. At a glance, the pillar looks just like any other pillar. We noticed a group of people around it and confirmed that it was indeed the hanging pillar.
The hanging pillar looked like any other pillar until we noticed a gap between the ground and it. Compared to the other pillars, the hanging pillar has a distinct tilt, which makes it recognizable.
Unlike other pillars, the carvings on the hanging pillar were rather plain, though intricate. Whether the pillar was dislodged during the British era or if it was a construction mistake, we may not know.
If you want to experiment with an engineering marvel, take a piece of cloth or place your hands underneath and see for yourself the beauty of the hanging pillar of Lepakshi.
Kalyana Mandapam
The third of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi was the incomplete Kalyana Mandapam which is located in the southwest corner of the temple. You could not miss this attraction because the pillars come in various sizes and styles.
We were greeted with 38 pillars as we stepped onto the open-air structure. Each of the pillars had beautiful carvings that told the story of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The intricate carvings included celestial beings, sages, and the 8 Diklapakas.
The Diklapakas are the guardians of the directions who rule the specific directions in Hinduism. As we explored the carvings, we imagined a heavenly wedding with all these esteemed guests present.
However, the unfinished Kalyana Mandapam also has a poignant tale to it. The Royal Treasurer was accused of misappropriating funds during the construction of the Kalyana Mandapam, without the King’s consent.
When the King found out, he was furious and ordered that the Royal Treasurer be blinded as punishment. In an act of self-mutilation, the Royal Treasurer blinded his own eyes and cast them onto the walls.
Till today, there are two red spots within the Kalyana Mandapam and with this act of sacrifice, the Kalyana Mandapam was left incomplete.
Lepakshi Nagalinga
The fourth of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi was the Seven-Hooded Nagalinga Statue within the Veerbhadra Swamy Temple. The monolithic Nandi statue faces this Nagalinga which is a representation of Lord Shiva.
This 15 feet sculpture is the biggest in India and on a raised platform, we felt small in front of it. Legend has it that this sculpture was carved from a single granite block. And, it was built within an hour.
We sat at one of the pavilions and admired the work that went into this sculpture. For the best photo opportunities, it is best to arrive before noon to capture the beauty of Nagalinga.
Ganesha statue
The fifth of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi was the Ganesha idol which is on the right of the Nagalinga statue. The Ganesha statue here is complete with his vehicle which is his mouse.
If you notice his stomach, you can see that a snake coils around his belly. This means that Lord Ganesha symbolizes the cosmic energy that holds the universe. We said a short Ganesha prayer here before moving onto the inner sanctum.
As this is a living temple, we did a small prayer and were pleasantly surprised at how friendly and informative. We spent about 2 hours at the Veerbhadra Swamy Temple complex before moving to our last stop for the day.
Nandi Bull
Our last stop of our amazing places to see in Lepakshi was the largest Nandi statue. This sculpture stands at about 15 feet in height and 27 feet in length. The first thing that caught our attention were the beautiful carvings that adorned Nandi.
From the bell necklace to the delicate ear carvings, the attention to detail of the artisans is nothing but marvellous. Unlike other temples where Nandi and Lord Shiva are facing each other, here, Lord Shiva is far from sight.
The lush greenery that surrounds Nandi adds to its calm and peaceful presence. As it was close to mid-day, we spent about 15 minutes here and made our way back to Puttaparthi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Lepakshi
We easily spent about 3 hours here. While the temple looks small from the outside, we can assure you it is not. Besides these landmarks within the temple, look out for the intricate carvings and beautiful mural frescoes.
We visited in January, which is the best time to visit Lepakshi. Ideally, the good time to visit is during the winter months from November to February. During this time, the weather is pleasant and cool, ranging from 15°C to 25°C.
The name Lepakshi comes from the Telugu word Le Pakshi, which means “rise bird.” According to the Hindu epic Ramayan, Lepakshi was where Jatayu was wounded and fell to the ground in his quest to rescue Sita.
No, you can’t wear jeans to Lepakshi temple as there is a specific dress code for all genders. For men, the dress code is dhoti, kurta, shirt, and trousers. For ladies, it is salwar kameez, Punjabi suit, saree, half saree, kurti, or churidars. The temple prohibits jeans, shorts, mini-skirts, low-waist jeans, and short-length t-shirts.
Yes, the Lepakshi temple is a Shiva temple. In this temple, Lord Shiva is in the form of Veerbhadra, which is Shiva in his fiercest form.
Lepakshi is known for its rich culture and history. However, the Veerbhadra Swamy Temple or Lepakshi Temple with a monolithic Nandi statue draws visitors to this village.
Yes, Lepakshi is worth visiting. We completed our trip to Lepakshi within half a day. Our day trip was from Puttaparthi. Visit Lepakshi for its architecture, history, and culture. The places are very well maintained and the priest at Lepakshi Temple is knowledgeable and explained the history of the temple to us.
