A day trip from Bangalore to Lepakshi
20th March 2016
Lepakshi is a small village in Mandal, in the Anantapur
District of Andhra Pradesh, India. 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.
Bangalore to Lepakshi can be your option for an unplanned
one day trip on any of the Saturdays or Sundays that you are feeling bored and
not sure what to day. Our’s however was a planned trip which we have been
postponing for a couple of months. However, we decided to make it as our first
trip as soon as we get our car and there we go.. just 4 days after we gor our
car home!! J J. We also looped in 2
of our friends Poulami (Polo) and Dipanjan (D1) for the trip.
After breakfast, which was for about an hour, we got
into the car and commenced our journey. The roads were excellent and so were the views
on either side.
You can find a lot of grape orchards on either side of the
road and seeing the grapes hanging on the vines tempts you stop the car
immediately and run to them. We however did not do this this time as it was
getting quite sunny and hot and we wanted to reach Lepakshi soon.
 |
The road is beautifully maintained and a pleasure to drive
on.
|
After about an hour’s drive, we had to take a left right
after the Andhra check post at Kodikonda for Lepakshi. The entrance is marked
by a small Nandi status. This will help you not to miss the turn.
I was expecting the road to be not that great once we get
off the highway. However, to my surprise, the roads were good!
After driving a few kms we could see the huge monolithic Nandi
statue on our right. We hopped out of the car..oouch..its too sunny.. Polo was
smart to carry an umbrella ;-).
The statue is located in a small park which also has a lotus
pond Request people please do not litter in the pond. Spoils the beauty
completely. We took quite a few snaps here and relaxed a bit under the shady
trees.
We also got to meet a gang of very energetic and super smart
kids from an NGO. We took quite a few pics with them and one of them also
scared us with an artificial snake!! It was awesome interacting with them and
feels really happy at the great work the NGO was doing for the kids.
The Veerabhadra temple is about 500 meters from the Nandi
statue. Need to take a left after a couple of hundred meters from the statue.
The lane to the temple is marked by small shops selling coconuts for puja,
snacks, coconut water
We went up the steps of the temple, Oh! You may be greeted
by monkeys here, so keep your belongings carefully J
The temple was as beautiful as we had seen in the pictures.
The rock cravings were exceptional. Look you and you can see the beautiful
mural paintings. I really wish Archaeological Society of India does something to
restore these masterpieces.
The temple is vast. It was really sunny that day and the
cool inside the temple was definitely a welcome change. We also spent some time
in the garden surrounding the temple under the shades of the tree.
We went around the temple admiring its beauty and marvelous
art and clicking loads of pictures J.While
taking the snaps I felt that this can be an ideal photoshoot destination for
any couple.
We left from the temple after about 2 hours. Before heading back to the car, we decided to have tender coconut outside the temple. Right decision ..haha :D
The drive back was mostly uneventful except for trying to
keep a constant watch outside so that we do not miss the Paratha house where
had planned to have lunch (a late one though).
On our way back we witnessed an unfortunate accident which
was supposedly caused due to over-speeding. It’s my sincere request to all that
please do not over-speed and risk your life just for a completely uncalled for
and unwanted adrenaline rush. There are many adventure sports that can be tried
instead.
We reached Paratha house around 3.30 and gorged on the yummy
parathas and Lassi. Polo found a family of four super cute puppies with their
mother and played with them for a while. I admit being really scared of dogs
and stood far just clicking the pics J.But
I must admit they were really cute.
We reached Bangalore and by the time we reach near
Bayapanahalli the sun was about to set. We reached home around 6.30 and called
it a day a couple of hours later.
It was a wonderful day trip J. Came back feeling proud once again of the great artistic and cultural richness
of our country.
 |
| Our KUV100 ...our partner in crime ;-) |
 |
| Mik captured me capturing the beauty of LepakshiJ |
