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Start your exploration with the Nandi ( Bull) located on about half kilometer from the temple. This 20 feet tall & 30 feet long Nandi is easily one of the biggest Nandi images in the country. In ornation & its expression this Nandi easily rivals the much popular Nandi of Mysore.

This giant image is carved in-situ ( out of a single boulder), and faces the Veerabhadra Temple atop the hill a bit away. Great place to take photographs & selfies, with the boulder strewn hills as the backdrop.

A short drive away is the steps steps to the Veerabhadra Temple. This is the second main attraction in Lepakshi. Climb up the hill ( 10 minutes) . You're at the main compound of the Veerabhadra Temple. This is the typical specimen of Vijayanagara Architecture. (and a precursor to Hampi!)

Explore the colonnades, that goes around along the inner wall of the compound. There's some mysterious characteristics to this whole ambient, especially with frangipani flower strewn courtyard area.

Once inside the sanctum area, explore the inner open halls. The inner part of the temple is highlighted by many specific features. Firstly spend time, go around each boldly carved composite pillars. Each of these pillars duals as a elaborately carved support structure as well as sculptural elements. Many mythical themes are carved on these pillars.

Second highlight is the ceiling painting. If you don't keep this in mind, you'll easily miss the ceiling paintings, as you attention will be easily overwhelmed by the architectural features in the open pavilion. These paintings at Lepakshi is in fact one of the best preserved specimens of Vijayanagara paintings, even better than the one at Hampi.

Once you are done with the inside of the temple, get out to the Nagalinga shrine. This is a massive boulder carved in the form of a hooded serpent protecting the Shiva Linga beneath it. This is a massive ( 18 feet tall) and one of its kind shrine in the country.

Right around the boulder is the image of a large ganesha, again carved on the face of the boulder.

Around this area you can see the unfinished pavilions, still with fabolous carvings on the granite pillars.

Once you are through with main temple area attractions, ask for the way to the temple pond ( Pushkarini). This is a short trek along the boulder hill.

You can easily spend half a day exploring Lepakshi & surroundings. Stock and bring enough food, water and other conveniences. Lepakshi and surroundings are with limited facilities.

Accommodation

Lepakshi has limited tourism facilities. The nearest accomodations are only available in the Hindupur ( a small town 14k from Lepakshi) . Otherwise Anantapur to the north or Bangalore to the south are best bet for better hotel accommodations.

If you are driving from Bangalore to Lepakshi, Nandi Hills makes a doable detour in the itinerary.

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Driving Directions

From Bangalore , Lepakshi is about 125km. Drive towards the Kempegowda International Airport and head to Chikkaballapur on NH44. From the airport diversion, lepakshi is 90km.  In about 45 km from Chikkaballapur you'll cross the Karnataka-Andhra border. A few kilometers into Andhra, leave the highway and take the left diversion to Lepakshi ( 15 km from NH44).

For driving from Anantapur side, take the NH44 and drive towards Penugonda ( towards Bangalore). Further 30 km ahead of Penugonda, on NH44, take the right diversion to Lepakshi. Anantapur to Lepakshi is 120km.

Backpacking

 :  For those backpacking, Hindupur ( Station Code : HUP) is the nearby railway station. There are bus services ( APSRTC) between Lepakshi  and Hindupur. Though it's a small station on the main route, ( between Bangalore and Anantapur ) many express trains stops at Hindupur.