After a week filled with work, our families, along with my colleague, decided to embark on a soulful journey. Our spiritual tourist circuit commenced from Bangalore, kicking off near Pattangere Metro Station around 8:30 AM.
The picturesque drive along NH 44 (Kanyakumari to Srinagar), weaving through the scenic Mall of Asia, the iconic Nandi Hills, and the breathtaking mountains, made our journey to Lepakshi both lovely and enchanting.
The day began with a delightful breakfast at Srinidhi Vaibhava on the highway, offering alternatives like India Paratha Company, Nandi Upachar, The Green House, or Nandagokula restaurant for both breakfast and lunch.
Traveling on NH-44, we crossed the border into the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Making a detour from NH-44, we transitioned onto NH544E at Kondikonda, guiding us toward the charming town of Lepakshi. The journey to Lepakshi Town from this point was an approximately 40-minute drive.
There are three things of where we visited and enjoyed in Lepakshi.
The Lepakshi temple, better known as Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, was constructed in the 15th century by the Vijayanagara kings. This architectural marvel is made up of rocky pillars adorned with carvings of demigods and gods. As you explore the temple, you'll come across numerous paintings on the walls and ceiling, leaving you pondering about the intricate craftsmanship involved in its construction and decoration. One of the painting depicts the story of Virapanna and Viranna, Governer of this area who finances its construction.
Within the temple's campus, a larger-than-life footprint (folklore connect it to Hanuman's foot print) adds to the mystique. Don't miss the chance to visit the Kalyan Mandapam, even though it underwent renovations later. The assembly hall, or Nataka Mandapa, is a pillared hall currently without a roof.
The temple also houses a Ganesha Shrine where a massive Ganesha figure is intricately carved into a large rock. In another fascinating display, a seven-headed snake is artistically coiled over a Shiva Linga, forming an umbrella-like cover and standing as a guardian.
One of the most intriguing features is the Lepakshi hanging pillar, a mystery in itself. Earlier people pass a piece of paper through the space underneath the pillar, and witnessed that it is indeed not rooted to the ground. However most of the pillars base are filled with cement to save them from public. Each element of this temple tells a story of skillful craftsmanship, ancient mysteries, and the rich history of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
We had Prasadam and little lunch at the Lepakshi Pavitra Annadanam Bhavana (It is free, however we donated some money to it to support its cause).
During our visit to the Jatayu Theme Park, we were captivated by the intriguing stories surrounding the ancient bird, Jatayu, and what some believe to be Sita's footprint. According to the Ramayana, Jatayu valiantly pursued Ravana to the very edge of the land, ultimately falling on a hill in Chadayamangalam, Kerala, where he took his last breath. This hill, now known as the Lepakshi temple, derives its name from the Ramayana, with "Le Pakshi" translating to "Arise, Oh Bird."
As we explored the park, we came across the Durga Padam, a significant attraction believed to be the footprint of Sita. Legend has it that this substantial imprint appeared when Ravanan chose to rest here while transporting Sita to Lanka.
The colossal monolith of Nandi with Nagalinga, the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, stands as the largest of its kind. Measuring approximately 27 feet in length and towering at a height of 15 feet, this awe-inspiring sculpture adds a majestic presence to the surroundings.
In this campus, there is a little lake, where we took some rest and take some pictures of lotus flowers.
There are two main restoraunt in Lepakshi one is AP tourism, Haritha Hotel and another is Brindavan. We preffered Haritha Hotel and enjoyed our normal Andhra meal before moving to new site.
After exploring Lepakshi, our next destination was the Gudibale Fort. However, due to time constraints, we had to forgo our plan for the fort and opted for a brief and refreshing break at Vatadahosahalli Lake instead. The lake offered breathtaking views, complemented by small hills in its vicinity. The cool breeze and cold water provided a rejuvenating atmosphere, making our evening truly delightful.
We deviated from NH-44 onto the Isha Foundation road, navigating a rocky path that led us to the sacred abode of the Great Adiyogi. Arriving in the evening, we firstly greeted the sight of an immense 112-feet Adiyogi Shiva Statue in Chikkaballapur, surrounded by hills in a bowl-like pattern.
As night fell, the atmosphere transformed with the commencement of a mesmerizing laser show at 7 PM. The play of lights enhanced the stature of the first Yogi, leaving us in awe. We also explored the Naga Mantapa, a temple dedicated to Lord Naga.
The laser show concluded, leaving us with a heart full of divine thoughts and minds intrigued by the mysteries of Adiyogi. Post-show, we indulged in snacks and coffee at the food center before departing.
By around 8 PM, the road was still bustling with departing vehicles and heavy traffic. As we hit NH-44, we embarked on the journey back to Bengaluru, our minds filled with contemplation about the day's experiences. It had been a day brimming with joy, peace, and the enigmatic aura of Adiyogi.
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
