Date of Journey: 01st November 2011
Total Distance: ~301 KM
Route Followed: KR Pura > Hebbal > Lepakshi > Rangasthala > Muddenahalli > Nandi
It was a long time when I visit Mantralayam so planned to visit there during this month as we had a long weekend due to Kannada Rajyotsava holiday. Due to some urgent works which need to be completed on weekends my Mantralayam trip got canceled and I am left with 2 days. Instead of spending them in home I thought of visiting some places which can be covered in one day.
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We left home around 7:00 AM with breakfast and lunches packed with us so that we can avoid searching for the hotel and cover as many places as possible. Lepakshi is a small historical town in Anathapur district of Andhra Pradesh and it’s around 120 KM from Hebbala flyover. We need to follow the International Airport route which is nothing but a Bangalore – Hyderabad NH7 highway, road is in very good condition and well maintained.
After crossing Bagepalli village there is a toll plaza which will collect Rs. 60 for one side and Rs. 90 for two side journey for cars. After crossing the toll plaza ~4 KM we need to take the left deviation which is called Lepakshi Road, this 15 KMs stretch is really worst and cannot drive more than 40kmph.
History of Lepakshi:
This Virabhadra Temple at Lepakshi was built in the mid-16th century by Viranna and Virupanna, Vijayanagara governors of Penukonda. He executed the plan in the absence of the king and used the treasure when he was away at Vijayanagar. When the construction was almost finished and it was being supervised the king returned and found the treasure empty. The king ordered, as a punishment to this heinous crime, that he should be blinded. The Virupanna being a loyal person carried out the punishment spot with his own hands.
Even today one can see two dark stains upon the wall near the 'Kalyana Mandapa', which are said to be the marks made by his eyes, which he himself dashed against the wall.
Nandi:Visitors to Lepakshi are first greeted by a huge monolithic Nandi which is around 15 feet height and 27 feet length which is said to be biggest Nandi in India. It is facing to Nagalingesvara in Veerabhadra Temple which is around 200m away.
One specialty of this sculpture is Nandi’s head is held at a higher angle when compared to others.
Nagalingesvara:
The Nagalingesvara statue in the temple premises is one of the main attraction, 7 headed serpents is shielding black polished shiva linga this entire structure is carved on the single stone.
Next to this we can see the beautiful red stone Ganesha idol carved inside the mantapa on the same stone .
Kalyana Mandapa:
There is a uncompleted Kalyana Mantapa which is having beautiful carvings on its pillars.
Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Rangasthala
Rangasthala is around 5 KMs from Chikballapur on the Gauribidanur road, there is a village called Thippenahalli where we need to take the right turn and there is also an arch on the roadside. This place is popular among the locals so anybody can show the directions, so it’s better to ask them if missed the way.
Pillars in this temple are having human sized statues.
Muddenahalli:
This is the birth place of our great engineer Sir. M Vishweshwaraiah and also where his soul is resting in peace. Sir M V house is now converted as a museum and having all the collection which is used by him. We can see the India's greatest honour Bharat Ratna medal awarded to him in this museum.
Adjacent to this museum is the place where Sir M V samdhi is situated.
Nandi
This place is just in the base of Nandi Hills and from Muddenahalli its around 2KMs, Bhoganandishwara Temple is the main attraction of this place which is built in Dravidian style of architecture. This is the place where one of the famous Kannada movie Halunda Tavaru is pictured.
At the entrance of the temple there is a huge praakaara which itself having some acres.
There were some stone wheels at the entrance of the temple seems beautiful.
As like other temples this temple is also having beautiful carving on the sides and pillars.
Gopuram of the temple
Vasantha Mantapa is the place where temple authority will be providing opportunities for private weddings.
Total Distance: ~301 KM
Route Followed: KR Pura > Hebbal > Lepakshi > Rangasthala > Muddenahalli > Nandi
It was a long time when I visit Mantralayam so planned to visit there during this month as we had a long weekend due to Kannada Rajyotsava holiday. Due to some urgent works which need to be completed on weekends my Mantralayam trip got canceled and I am left with 2 days. Instead of spending them in home I thought of visiting some places which can be covered in one day.
My cousin usually inform me there are some good places around Chikkaballapur, so had a quick chat with him and finalized the trip to Lepakshi, Rangasthala, Muddenahalli and Nandi. Here are the complete details of the places and route travelled.
Trip Map:
View Larger Map
After crossing Bagepalli village there is a toll plaza which will collect Rs. 60 for one side and Rs. 90 for two side journey for cars. After crossing the toll plaza ~4 KM we need to take the left deviation which is called Lepakshi Road, this 15 KMs stretch is really worst and cannot drive more than 40kmph.
History of Lepakshi:
This Virabhadra Temple at Lepakshi was built in the mid-16th century by Viranna and Virupanna, Vijayanagara governors of Penukonda. He executed the plan in the absence of the king and used the treasure when he was away at Vijayanagar. When the construction was almost finished and it was being supervised the king returned and found the treasure empty. The king ordered, as a punishment to this heinous crime, that he should be blinded. The Virupanna being a loyal person carried out the punishment spot with his own hands.
Even today one can see two dark stains upon the wall near the 'Kalyana Mandapa', which are said to be the marks made by his eyes, which he himself dashed against the wall.
Nandi:Visitors to Lepakshi are first greeted by a huge monolithic Nandi which is around 15 feet height and 27 feet length which is said to be biggest Nandi in India. It is facing to Nagalingesvara in Veerabhadra Temple which is around 200m away.
One specialty of this sculpture is Nandi’s head is held at a higher angle when compared to others.
Veerabhadra Temple:
This temple is built in the Vijayanagar style of architecture and is divided into three parts - the 'Mukha Mandapa', 'Artha Mandapa' and 'Garbha Griha'. Entire temple is covered with the finest masterpiece of the art and sculpture, every pillar is different than other telling the story of our ancient epics.Nagalingesvara:
The Nagalingesvara statue in the temple premises is one of the main attraction, 7 headed serpents is shielding black polished shiva linga this entire structure is carved on the single stone.
Next to this we can see the beautiful red stone Ganesha idol carved inside the mantapa on the same stone .
Kalyana Mandapa:
There is a uncompleted Kalyana Mantapa which is having beautiful carvings on its pillars.
Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Rangasthala
Rangasthala is around 5 KMs from Chikballapur on the Gauribidanur road, there is a village called Thippenahalli where we need to take the right turn and there is also an arch on the roadside. This place is popular among the locals so anybody can show the directions, so it’s better to ask them if missed the way.
Seems like this temple renovation started recently so there is a huge gopuram and a Garuda statue is constructed in the front of the temple. When we entered the temple premised there were some little guys playing cricket in front of the temple. Priest’s son who is playing cricket stopped his play and took us for the Ranganatha Swamy darshana.
Pillars in this temple are having human sized statues.
Muddenahalli:
This is the birth place of our great engineer Sir. M Vishweshwaraiah and also where his soul is resting in peace. Sir M V house is now converted as a museum and having all the collection which is used by him. We can see the India's greatest honour Bharat Ratna medal awarded to him in this museum.
Adjacent to this museum is the place where Sir M V samdhi is situated.
Nandi
This place is just in the base of Nandi Hills and from Muddenahalli its around 2KMs, Bhoganandishwara Temple is the main attraction of this place which is built in Dravidian style of architecture. This is the place where one of the famous Kannada movie Halunda Tavaru is pictured.
There were some stone wheels at the entrance of the temple seems beautiful.
As like other temples this temple is also having beautiful carving on the sides and pillars.
Gopuram of the temple
Vasantha Mantapa is the place where temple authority will be providing opportunities for private weddings.
Next to this there is a pushkarani which is worth visiting.
Overall this is a wonderful trip and covered all the places as per our plan.
