Lepakshi

Lepakshi లేపాక్షి/ಲೇಹಾಕ್ಷಿ(ಲೇಪಾಕ್ಷಿ)
Village
Nandi at Lepakshi
Lepakshi Show map of Andhra Pradesh Lepakshi Show map of India
Coordinates: 13°49′N 77°36′E / 13.81°N 77.60°E / 13.81; 77.60Coordinates: 13°49′N 77°36′E / 13.81°N 77.60°E / 13.81; 77.60
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District	Ananthapur
Population (2011)
• Total	10,042
Languages
• Official	Telugu, Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	515331
Vehicle registration	AP 02

Lepakshi is a small village in Mandal in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Hindupur and approximately 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore. 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 Vijayanagara kings and Kannada inscriptions. Near the temple complex is a large granite Nandi bull. On a hillock known as Kurma Saila, "tortoise shaped hill", are other temples to Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Srirama, and Durga.

The Veerabhadra temple of Lepakshi, which was built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, is dedicated to Veerabhadra. It is an example of the Vijayanagara architectural style. Points of interest in the temple include a rock chain, Vastu Purusha, the Padmini race lady, the hanging pillar, Durga Paadam, the eyes of Viroopaakshanna and Lepakshi saree designs. The paintings on the roof are made with natural pigments. Another interesting aspect of this temple is that it is North facing.

The Shiva's bull Nandi is a granite monolithic sculpture on the main road of Lepashki approximately 200 m from the temple. It is 4.5m high and 8.23m long making one of the largest nandi in India. The sculpture has been positioned so that it faces the Shivalinga which is shielded by a large serpent inside the temple. The nandi wears a gantala mala, a bell chain, earrings and other jewellery. Legend has it that the Naga of the Nagalinga was carved out of a single stone by sculptors while they waited for their mothers to prepare lunch. The Nagalinga is approximately 12 feet in height.