If you ever wished to step into a place where myths breathe through sculptures and history whispers through stone walls, Lepakshi is that destination. Just 120 kilometres from Bengaluru, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, this quaint village offers more than just a temple visit—it is an unforgettable journey into India’s past, where spirituality and artistry meet.According to popular belief, the roots of Lepakshi stretch back to the epic Ramayana. When Lord Rama was searching for Sita, he found the wounded mythical bird Jatayu here. Filled with compassion, Rama uttered the words “Le pakshi”—meaning “rise, bird”—and Jatayu rose once again. From this divine moment, the place came to be known as Lepakshi.The architectural glory of Lepakshi Temple, also known as the Veerabhadra Temple, is credited to two visionary brothers, Virupanna and Veeranna. Constructed under the patronage of Achyuta Devaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire (1530–1542 A.D.), the temple reflects the empire’s golden age. Virupanna, a trusted officer of the king, played a crucial role in making this vision a reality.. The temple complex is divided into three sections: Mukha Mantapa (the facing or main hall); the Artha Mantapa (the ante-chamber) and Garbha Griha (the sanctum sanctorum) and the Kalyana Mantapa (the marriage hall).The Kalyana Mantapa’s pillars are a gallery of stories, with carvings depicting Lord Shiva in his many forms and scenes from Hindu mythology. These artistic wonders provided the setting for sacred rituals and ceremonies.. Sculptures that speakAs visitors pass through the towering gopuras (gateway towers), they are greeted by a wealth of sculptures—divine beings, mythological figures, celestial dancers, and guardian deities. Each stone carving is a storyteller, recounting legends of gods, warriors, and cosmic events.Among these, the most famous is the hanging pillar—a gravity-defying marvel. Out of 70 pillars supporting the main hall, this one barely touches the ground. Generations of travellers have marvelled at its engineering brilliance.The temple walls are alive with vibrant frescoes. Painted centuries ago, they depict scenes like Shiva’s celestial wedding, Krishna with the Gopikas, and episodes from sacred myths. The recurring motif of the Yali—a mythical creature with a lion’s body and an elephant’s head—showcases the artisans’ imagination and skill. Icons beyond the templeA colossal Nagalinga, a seven-headed cobra carved from granite, rises majestically beside the temple. A massive statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s sacred bull, stands nearby. At 15 feet high and 27 feet long, it is carved from a single block of granite. The mysterious Lepakshi footprint, believed to belong to Lord Hanuman, is etched on a giant rock close to the shrine.
