Lepakshi Temple is also known as Sri Veerabhadra Temple or Lepakshi Nandhi Temple. This Temple has been built on a hillock known as Kurmasailam which refers a Tortoise. This Kurmasaila hill is due to the fact that it resembles a Tortoise shaped hillock. The Temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century by Messrs Virupanna and Veeranna during the reign of the Vijaya Nagara King Achuthadevaraya. At the outset there is a small North facing Gopuram which has two tiers. This Gopuram has been built elevatedly and Devotees amy have to climb a few steps. Close to this North facing Gopuram is a huge Tree with a stone Dwajasthambam or a Flag Staff. There are two podiums and on one of them is the Bali Peedam or Neivedhya Peedam. On the second Podium they have placed a huge metellic Kodi Maram or Flag Staff. Beyond this is another single tiered Gopuram. There are two long multi pillared Mandapams on either side of the Dwajasthambam. Beneath the single tiered Gopuram is an Idol for Ganapathy. The Elephent Idols which are placed on either side of the steps are damaged or mutilated by the Muslims during the Moghul invasion. All the multiple pillars found in each of the Mandapam bear testimony to the Vijayanagara Architecture. They are intricately carved and embossed with divine Idols etc. Even the threshold leading to the Moolasthanam is loaded with dozens of intricate Idols which have been carved skillfully with deft hands. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Lord Veerabadra Swamy is seen in a standing facing North. He looks resplendent and majestic and Devotees rever and Pray here to seek the Blessings of Lord Veerabhadra Swamy. There are several Sub Shrines all around the Sanctum Sanctorum. The first to be seen is a Ganapathy Sub Shrine followed by Papavineshwara Swamy. This Swamy is seen as a Shiva Lingam with a Naaga Baranam and a Nandhi Vaahanam facing Him. Next to this is the Sub Shrine for Parvathy who is see in a standing posture. Ganapathy, Papavinehswarar and Parvathi are seen West facing. There is a Navagraha enclosure here. While circumambulating the East facing Sub Shrines are those of Rama Lingam who is found as a Shiva Lingam with a Naagabaranam. Apart from this there is a Hanuma Lingam, Bhadrakaali and Raghunatha Swamy. Beyond this is the Sub Shrine of Durga Devi. Due to space constraints and other factors the Idol of Durga Devi is seen diagonally facing North West and pushed towards of the pillars. Since She is placed diagonally the Devotees could find it a bit tough to see Her clearly. Therefore the Temple Administration has placed a huge mirror just before the Idol of Maa Durga Devi. Due to the presence of the mirror Devotees are Blessed to see Her either directly or through the mirror which has been placed there. This Temple is famous for its Hanging  Pillars found in one of the Mandapams. This pillar is cemented to the roof top but it is base a few centimeters away from the Temple floor. Devotees who visit this Temple make it a point to either insert a paper or some thin cloth to see this miracle happening before them. The ceiling at this place has a lot of mural paintings. The outer peipheral has a huge rock beneath which there is a vacant Sub Shrine. There is a huge elevated platform on which a Shiva Lingam is kept. This Shiva Lingam is guarded by a seven headed serpant. On the other side of the same rock is a huge and massive Idol of Ganapathy engraved. Close to this are three Shiva Lingas embossed on the same rock and a Spider and an Elephant are seen Praying. These attract a lot of Devotees. Another wonder here is the unfinished and incompleted Marriage Hall or Kalyana Mandapam. The pillars here are massive and looks eye capativating. All the pillars here are depicted with the Marriage scences of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.The only sore point here is that the Marriage Hall's ceiling is obviously missing. Hence this place is exposed to the vageries of Nature like Sun and Rain, But it still stands rock solid. A Shiva Lingam is kept within a small four pillared Mandapam and Prayed. There is a huge four pillared Mandapam in which the Idol of Lord Anjaneya Swamy has been engraved on a stone slab. This Anjaneya Idol is seen North facing and in a standing posture. Just close to this Anjaneya Idol is a huge Foot Mark believed to be that of Goddess Seetha. It is astounding to see water bubbling and oozing out of this Foot Mark. In most places of this Temple premises there are Mandapams and Corridors with multiple pillars. This Temple has been praised lavishly in Skanda Puruna and other Puranas of yesteryears. This Temple is believed to be one among the 108 Shiva Sthalaas. Another captivating feature of this Temple is the huge monolithic Nandhi built at the entrance of the Temple which is around 27 feet long and 15 feet tall. The Natya Mandapam or Dance Hall comprising of more than 100 pillars adds beauty to this Temple. The 14 incarnations of Lord Shiva which is beautifully painted on the ceiling of the Artha Mandapam is another astonishing feature. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Vilva Tree. The huge and massive wing flapping Jatayu Statue in one of the boulders lends beauty to this Lepakshi Temple. The Temple is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Hence Devotees and Tourists flock here on all 12 months of the year making it one of the most memorable Temples in South India. The Temple has a huge paid car parking. 

Temple Phone Number: 99028 26211 and 94485 01023                              

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Hindupur to Lepakshi is 13 Kms

Distance from Tumkur to Lepakshi is 95 Kms

Distance from Chickaballapur to Lepakshi is 67 Kms

Distance from Doddaballapur to Lepakshi is 73 Kms

Distance from Hoskote to Lepakshi is 119 Kms

Distance from Hosur to Lepakshi is 167 Kms

Distance from Bangalore to Lepakshi is 128 Kms

Distance from Krishnagiri to Lepakshi is 208 Kms

Distance from Ananatapur to Lepakshi is 127 Kms

Distance from Devanahalli to Lepakshi is 92 Kms

Distance from Kolar to Lepakshi is 131 Kms

Distance from Mysore to Lepakshi is 260 Kms

Distance from Nelamangala to Lepakshi is 109 Kms

Distance from Malur to Lepakshi is 135 Kms

Distance from Gooty to Lepakshi is 176 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Lepakshi is 477 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Hindupur R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari 98411 40126