Lepakshi

Lepakshi Basavanna

Lepakshi is a small village in Anantapur district of  Andhra Pradesh and is located at a distance of about 120 KMs from Bangalore. The  route one can take is Bangalore- Yelahanka – Devanahalli – Chikballapur – Bagepalli – Gudibanda – Lepakshi (NH7). Alternatively one can also take Dodaballapur – Gauribidnur – Hindupur –Lepakshi. The travel time would be about 2 hours .

The route i would suggest is via Devanahalli since the National highway is good to drive and moreover you have good restaurants for food. (Kamat Upachar about 10KM from Chickballapur is a good place )

Lepakshi is famous for its Vijayanagar style of architecture, and has three temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerabhdra .Lepakshi is a heritage site renowned for its mural paintings made with vibrant colors made from vegetable and flower dyes that still grace the roof in the temple.

The wonderful stone carvings depicting mythology is fascinating. Each pillar has a story to tell. The temple has a central pavilion, which runs through the intermediate hall and hall for ritual dance. There is a large open court which is accessible from the main hall.

Another attraction is the idol of “Naga Linga” . This is a seven hooded Naga, carved out of a single rock and shelters a Shiva Linga placed on the grooved coil of the serpent .Just below this on the same platform ,you can find “Saptamatrika”  panel. A huge statue of coloured Lord Ganesha  captures your attention when you enter the second prahara. This idol is carved out of a big boulder and is sheltered in a separate mandapa with sculpted pillars. Just next to this Ganesha , you can find on another huge rock the carving depicting the legend of Srikalahasthi where Sri (spider), Kala(serpant), and Hasti(elephant) are worshiping Lord Shiva,

As you move further you can see circles carved on the ground which were said to be plates for food .The main center of the temple complex has a pillar that looks as if it is hanging in the air. A piece of paper can be passed from one end to another end. It is said that the paintings on the ceiling is one of the largest murals ever painted. There are also paintings depicting the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

There is a ‘Ranga mandapa” with some with carvings of warriors holding dagger mounted on Yali. To the center of the mandapam there are pillars which have intricate carving on the sides. The idol of Bhringi ,a three legged dance master is fascinating.There is also a unfinished “Kalayana Mandapa” which has many interesting sculptures. Though “Lepakshi” temple is incomplete one can never stop appreciating the architecture, sculpture, and the paintings

Saptamatrika

Virupaksha temple entrance

Lingam installed by Chola King

Painting on temple roof

Monolith Nagalinga

Hanging Pillar

Monolith Ganesha