Lepakshi - Weekend getaway from Bangalore - Steps Together

Located in the Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi makes a great destination for a day trip from Bangalore.
Lepakshi is at a distance of around 120km from Bangalore and
It takes nearly 2 hr to reach the place by car via Bangalore - Hyderabad highway
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, it is believed that this was the place where Rama had met the dying Jatayu and had helped him achieve salvation by uttering the words 'Le Pakshi' or “Rise, oh bird” in Telegu.
Before reaching the main temple at Lepakshi, you will be welcomed by a large monolithic Nandi. This Nandi statue in Lepakshi is made of a single granite stone and is said to be one of the largest monolithic statues in India.
It is 20 feet in height and 30 feet in length. It was built in 1583 by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire. The Giant statue of Jatayu, built recently near the Nandi statue also attracts a lot of tourists.
Veerabhadra Swamy Temple of Lepakshi is just 500 m from the location of the Nandi statue.
The temple dates back to 1583 and was built by the brothers, Virupanna and Veeranna, who were initially in the service of the Vijayanagara kings.
However, another legend states that the temple was built by the sage Agastya. The temple was built on a small hillock which is in the shape of a tortoise and hence known as Kurma Saila. Temple’s main deity is Veerabhadra, the fiery god created by Shiva.
The sanctum also houses the shrines of lord shiva, Lord Vishnu, Ramalinga, Bhadrakali & Hanuman.
As soon as you enter the temple, Natyamantapa and Ardha Mantapa greet you with eye-catchy and artistically beautiful sculptures.
The Lepakshi temple also has the finest specimens of mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings. The ceilings of the Natya and Ardha Mandapa are decorated with murals that depict scenes from the epics like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the Puranas. The Shiva-Parvathi wedding painting is most notable among the rest.
There are about 35 large pillars in the mandapa and the most interesting one is the Hanging pillar which is suspended a few inches above the floor and does not rest on the ground fully. It is said that the pillar is dispositioned a bit after a British engineer tried to move it in an unsuccessful attempt to uncover the secret of its support.
A massive 18 ft tall Monolithic Nagalinga attracts visitors with three coils and seven hoods. It provides shelter to a black granite Shivalingam.
A huge Ganesha present at the right side is carved out of the same boulder as Nagalinga.
The maroon spots on the wall behind nagalinga are said to be the marks left by the bleeding eyes of Virupanna.
According to the legend, the builder Virupanna was the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Empire who utilized the treasury’s money to build the temple during the king’s absence. When the King returned from his campaign, he found the treasury had been emptied by Virupanna, and he ordered that the treasurer be blinded. Angered by this command, Virupanna carried out his punishment himself. So the red blotches on the walls of the unfinished Kalyana Mandapa are nothing but his eyes!
Yet another prime attraction within the Veerabhadra Swamy Temple complex of Lepakshi is Kalyana Mantapa. Similar to the structure of the main temple mandapa, the Kalyana mandapa has a circular arrangement of pillars. It was built to perform the Wedding ceremony for Lord Shiva and Parvathi during the annual festivals of the temple. There are about 38 pillars in the mandapa carved out of granite stone that exhibit the carvings of several gods and saints. According to legend, the main architect Virupanna ran out of funds while trying to build & complete the Kalyana mandapa. Hence the structure stands unfinished.
There is a large open area beyond the Kalyana mandapa which was used for cultural and recreational activities during the Vijayanagar rule.
At one corner of the courtyard, there lies this big footprint impression.
Some believe that it is of Lord Hanuman's and others say it is of Sita's.
It is interesting to note that this imprint remains wet during all the season.
A series of pillars at the backside of Kalyana Mantapa has beautiful intricate designs carved on them. These carvings have also inspired the designs of famous Lepakshi Sarees
Beautiful intricate designs carved on the pillars behind Kalyana Mandapa
are said to be the inspiration for Lepakshi Saree designs
In the courtyard, you can also find giant pallets carved out of stone. Even though there is no relevant information regarding these, one can only guess that they might have been used as the place to serve the offerings to god during the Pooja ceremony.
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[@sarandsk]

A beautiful temple with ancient history and many mythical stories hidden in the architecture. Sculptures and paintings at almost every exposed surface of the temple. The murals on the ceiling is really beautiful. It is an architectural marvel. Voice over is really good with more details about the temple. Please continue in the forthcoming videos. Thank you for the video...

[@StepsTogether]

Very well said. Truely its a must visit site for history enthusiasts. Thanks for watching and for well written feedback. 😊

[@amgguy4319]

These Temples are stunningly amazing, but the "floating" pilar is next level...

[@StepsTogether]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching..

[@RatneshSingh-ec5rw]

Jai Shree Ganesh Jai Bhadrakali ❤

[@techwave7711]

🔥🔥 came to know about the place after our honourable PM visited the place today. Will plan in few days, Great place ❤, Thank you😊

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for watching 😃

[@sureshreddy3837]

Especially the background music will gives us peaceful mind thanks for the amazing view 😘🙏🏼

[@StepsTogether]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching 😃

[@RatneshSingh-ec5rw]

Jai Nandi Ji

[@indradeokumar1043]

Me and my friends are going today(14-04-24). Thank you for this informative video.

[@StepsTogether]

Have fun!

[@AnubhavShukla186]

Do update your experience and current weather conditions etc .

[@RatneshSingh-ec5rw]

Om Namah Shivaya

[@hraghavendra5100]

The video is well narrated and edited with relevant background music. Felt good watching it. It is of the standard of Doordarshan's videos. 👍

[@StepsTogether]

Wow! Your words made our day. Thanks a lot. 🤗

[@gopinathankothottil6821]

Very beautiful recording and description. 👍🏼

[@-._._._.-]

Watching again🙏 beautiful beaut&peaceful

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dipakjoshi252]

Thanks for this beautiful presentation of your visit to Lepakshi!

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback 😀

[@mahe29GEC]

The quality of your videos gets me hooked each time. Beautifully captured and presented. Exponentially increasing quality guys 💕💕

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks a lot Mahesh. As we always say its such lovely feedbacks that keeps us improvising. 🤗

[@keshavmohan1160]

Feeling proud on my Sanatan culture

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for watching

[@munnakarimTranslation]

Iam from anantapur nice to see lepakshi in your vlogs

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you. hope you like it..

[@niravkhunt]

nice temple. thanks for making it

[@StepsTogether]

My pleasure 😊 Thanks for watching

[@RRKSTRAVELISTRY]

It's a must visit place. Thanks for this wonderful video on Lepakshi

[@StepsTogether]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching 🤗

[@RRKSTRAVELISTRY]

@@StepsTogether 🙏🙏🙏

[@ganapatihegde1024]

Awesome vlog as always. Your passion and dedication is always reflected in the high quality vlogs. Greetings from Plano, Texas, United States.

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for the encouraging words.

[@Madhu_PSPK]

Thank you so much for making this Vlog sir. I'm From #Lepakshi

[@StepsTogether]

Glad that you liked it. Plz don't forget to share it with your friends and family if you like it. 🤗

[@Madhu_PSPK]

@@StepsTogether Sure Definitely That's my Responsibility sir. I'm Already Shared in All my Groups. ❤️❤️❤️

[@supriyathanthri2932]

Beautiful

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you so much 🙌😊

[@yaminishekharan8417]

Thanks for the video. I was eagerly waiting for something like this. It’s such a marvel! And how nicely presented. Lovely video.

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for the lovely words. 🤗

[@abhayrai1724]

Nice work specially the caption is more informative. 👏

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks a lot 😊 Glad that you liked it.

[@sandeeppatwardhan1212]

Marvelous video Narration and background music 🎶 beautiful.. ... but we saw less of car vlogging 😶

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you. Yes, there is nothing special other than boring highway on this route, we showed less of it. Thanks for watching 😊

[@akshayth1155]

Really nice editing and good volging by steps together !!! Nothing to say just keep up the good work 😅

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you. Glad that you liked it. 😊

[@vishaleffects]

Beautiful 📸 Any other sight seeing places nearby?

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for watching. You can plan to visit, Penukonda fort and Nandi hills along this place for a perfect day trip.

[@travelwithanandbabu7429]

ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮೂಡಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ

[@StepsTogether]

ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು..,😊

[@sherrysinharoy]

Lovely video

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks 🤗

[@gezginmatematikci897]

Wonderful

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்-சிவ]

👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for watching..

[@NithinKSPlus]

Excellent video

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks Nithin..🙌

[@xplorebeforeyouexpire6823]

Superb

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks

[@EYEZP951]

That Pilar is not hanging. They don't go all the way through the bottom.

[@StepsTogether]

Plz watch video completely.

[@sravanajyothi671]

Hi, we have a plan for lepakshi to visit from Bangalore. Is there any other places to visit near lepakshi. Thanks

[@StepsTogether]

Please visit stepstogether.in for all the details.

[@nagesh007]

Amazing

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nagesh007]

@@StepsTogether Humble request: In future , please add voice narration to all the videos ...

[@kalyantr7]

This temple is full of Kannada inscriptions, it should have been merged into Karnataka

[@StepsTogether]

Yes it is. thanks for watching. :-)

[@avipandu14]

You are displaying language fanaticism instead of enjoying the video and commenting on the architecture/ sculpture of the temple. The basis for states formation was not based on whether inscriptions in temples were in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, etc. but what the majority was speaking in that areas / districts at the time of division of states on linguistic basis. In fact, Karnataka was lucky when states were formed on linguistic basis. Even in late eighties, only 68% of people had Kannada as mother tongue, whereas other southern states had more than 80% of people having state language as mother tongue - Karnataka was very lucky to get Belgaum, Bellary, Kolar Gold Fields, etc.

[@kalyantr7]

@@avipandu14 No man, Its a place built by many Kannada kings, even the architect was Kannadiga. Even today, a majority of the population is Kannadigas in Lepakshi. Don't think too much, I am speaking the reality.

[@User-bv2qk]

Even 'Kannada' Vijaynagar kings wrote poetical works in Telegu

[@Backpacker_HariDhaya]

Bro, tell me which software is good for editing the videos

[@StepsTogether]

Check description

[@shashankc.r7947]

Super

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you..,🤗

[@SwarajNani]

Apsrtc available??

[@StepsTogether]

yes

[@nagarjunamc2065]

Hey bro. It's my home town near by. How was place.

[@StepsTogether]

Good to know. No doubt Lepakshi is a lovely place.. 😊

[@ravikanchan4683]

❤️❤️

[@StepsTogether]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@chethan31]

❤

[@rpraghothama1990]

Wonderful

[@StepsTogether]

Thank you..🤗