Lepakshi

Lepakshi
లేపాక్షి
Village

Nandi at Lepakshi
Lepakshi
Lepakshi
Coordinates: 13°49′N 77°36′E / 13.81°N 77.60°E / 13.81; 77.60Coordinates: 13°49′N 77°36′E / 13.81°N 77.60°E / 13.81; 77.60
Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
District Ananthapur
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 10,042
Languages
 • Official Telugu, Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 515331
Vehicle registration AP 02

Lepakshi is a small village in Mandal in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Hindupur and approximately 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore. Lepakshi is culturally and archaeologically significant as it is the location of shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra which were built during the Vijayanagara Kings' period (1336–1646). The temples are the location of mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings and Kannada inscriptions. Near the temple complex is a large granite Nandi bull. On a hillock known as Kurma Saila, "tortoise shaped hill", are other temples to Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Srirama, and Durga.[2]

Archaeological sites

Veerabhadra Temple

The Veerabhadra temple of Lepakshi, which was built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, is dedicated to Veerabhadra. It is an example of the Vijayanagar architectural style.[3] Points of interest in the temple include a rock chain, Vastu Purush, the Padmini race lady, the hanging pillar, Durga Paadam, the eyes of Viroopaakshanna and Lepakshi saree designs. The paintings on the roof are made with natural pigments.[4] Another interesting aspect of this temple is that it is North facing.[5]

Lepakshi Nandi

The Shiva's bull Nandi is a granite monolithic sculpture on the main road of Lepashki approximately 200m from the temple. It is 4.5m high and 8.23m long making one of the largest nandi in India. The sculpture has been positioned so that it faces the shivalinga which is shielded by a large serpent inside the temple. The nandi wears a kaasu malai, a bell chain, earrings and other jewellery. Legend has it that the Naga of the Nagalinga was carved out of a single stone by sculptors while they waited for their mothers to prepare lunch. The Nagalinga is approximately 12 feet in height.[5]

Transport

Road

Lepakshi Archaeological Notice

Hindupur is a major town nearby and 14 km away from Lepakshi. One can reach Lepakshi through Hindupur which is well connected to Bengaluru and Anantapur - district headquarters.

There are lots of private bus services and APSRTC buses connecting Hindupur and Lepakshi for every 10 minutes.

One who is travelling in a car from Bengaluru, can also reach Lepakshi without touching Hindupur and through NH 44. Visit Route Map - Bengaluru to Lepakshi for Google route map.

Rail

Hindupur railway station is a major railway station nearby and it is well connected to Bengaluru and Anantapur - couple of passenger and express trains run daily to and fro.

Air

Kempegowda International Airport is the nearest one and 101 km away from Lepakshi via NH 44.

References

  1. ↑ Census 2011 The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Accessed 26 July 2014
  2. ↑ Lepakshi Tourism – The Temple Village Accessed 1 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Lepakshi Accessed 18 August 2006.
  4. ↑ "Lepakshi Temple Significance". Retrieved 2006-09-12.
  5. 1 2 "Lepakshi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple". Trayaan. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
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