Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lepakshi
Lord Veerabhadra
Lepakshi, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh
Vijayanagara masterpiece famous for its hanging pillar, ceiling frescoes and the giant monolithic Nandi.
History
Built in 1530–1540 by brothers Virupanna and Viranna, governors under the Vijayanagara king Achyuta Deva Raya. Local legend says Jatayu fell here after fighting Ravana and Rama said 'Le Pakshi' (rise, bird), giving the village its name. The unfinished Kalyana Mandapam, the 'hanging pillar' that does not fully touch the floor, and the large Naga linga carved from one rock are major attractions. A 4.5 m high, 8.2 m long monolithic Nandi stands about 200 m away, among the largest in India.
Architecture
Vijayanagara style on Kurma Saila (tortoise-shaped rock); vibrant ceiling frescoes from the epics, 70 carved pillars in the Natya Mandapa.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri
- Lepakshi Utsav
Videos
Photos
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Plan your visit
Weather at the temple
Directions to Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple
How to reach
- By air
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, about 95 km
- By train
- Hindupur, about 15 km
- By road
- Off NH-44 at Kodikonda checkpost; buses from Hindupur.
Near the temple
Rooms, food, bus stands, railway stations, ATMs, hospitals, parkingPlaces come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Each list has a Google Maps link for more.