One Day Biking to Lepakshi - 6th Aug 2017

Lepakshi is very important historical and archaeological village located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh, about 120 km from North Bangalore. The famous Veerabhadra temple, dedicated to Veerabhadra, is located here this temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar architectural style. A huge Nandi bull made out of a single granite stone is one of the attractions in Lepakshi. The place is renowned for being one of the best repository of mural paintings of the Vijayanagar Kings. And also you can see the Foot Print of Lord Rama. 

When I received mail for Biking to Lepakshi, I was excited as I wanted to visit lepakshi from long time. It’s my first bike ride experience so happily registered. I received detailed plan from Manju and Amol (BTC Organizers) well before 2 days. We were asked to assemble near Hebbal Esteem mall at 5:30am. I received call from Manju a day before asking to contact biker as I was a pillion to coordinate and get picked. It’s very early for me to reach Meeting point, however the excitement kept the things in place. I was delayed by the time when I reached it was 5:40am, Once I reached we had a round of Ice break session. Manju gave us instructions and guided us to ride about 80kms on NH7 till we get a fly over Near Varlakonda and then we have to take service road a left diversion to reach Gudibanda, Also we were told Manju will be leading, Amol(Co Organizer) will be sweeping, We must remain in between them. One after the other all bikers bikes started with their pace. 

As we started, the cold breeze hit my face and wow, I felt very alive, straight roads, clear blue sky, we could catch early morning sunrise near yelahanka, all these added a charm to bike ride. By the time we reached Gudibanda we were hungry, we found “Hotel Ajanta” a small resto which serves like a 5 start hotel for all foodies, I ordered Idli, While others ordered masala dosa, upma, idli vada, I got a chance to try a special Upma Dosa. Co-Enthusiasts ordered coffee and Tea. Everyone liked the taste of coffee though I’m not a coffee lover I got tempted to have a sip. There was an Announcement from Amol stating we are gonna visit Gudubanda Fort as an surprise, I was happiest after listening as I get to see one more additional place which I never been to. 

After 100mts from the resto we took right small gully kind of road which lead us to the base of the fort. With the help of small high school children, we started climbing the mountain, well maintained steps some portion has raw path with stones which anybody can manage. The view after every step up looked amazing I took privilege and started clicking pics now and then. By the time we reached its 9am I enjoyed the beauty of nature from the top. Such a beautiful sight. Green filled hills on half of the side and other side there was a view of houses and byrasagara a lake which we encountered while riding to the fort.  We sat for a while in peace and then the photo session started. Amol was concerned he said "you are taking too many pics in the surprise place, I wonder how many pics you will take in the main location" but what to do the place was too good to avoid taking pics. I got some pics with other person of my name. Somehow I feel, photography helps people to talk and communicate and make friends. We took a lot of groupies, selfies.  

There was a surprise for us after we descended down. School kids practicing the band for Independence Day! We remembered our school days and got immersed in the sound of the drums, trumpets and flutes. Such refreshment of memories. We left Gudibanda and moved towards the most auspicious Lepakshi, it’s around 20 kms ride from Gudibanda, We went through village roads the roads were poorly maintained, after around 12 kms, Manju made us to stop to take a group pic with bikes there was an awesome backdrop with range of mountains. We stopped in the road aligned. I felt as I’m with black devil team after photo session. 

We reached lepakshi at around 10.45am the temple Architecture was beautiful, nothing less than Hampi, there were many carvings on monolithic stones, depicting Vijayanagar dynasty, there were around 455 pillar, We found one special pillar which doesn’t rest on ground completely small portion touches the ground. 

The painting of Krishna on ceiling is quite amazing from whichever angle you look it feels like Krishna is looking at you (Thanks to Manju for explaining us about this). We went inside the temple, there was a small idol of Ganesha, followed by Shivalinga, Veerabhadra temple, Durga Devi, We all prayed to Veerabhadra Swamy and Durga Devi, took mangalarathi and thirtha Prasada. 

We came out of temple to watch the auspicious monolithic beautiful Shivalinga with Snake, we took lot of pictures in this places, selfies groupies and moved further where we found incomplete mantapa which looks like broken pillars, after lot of pictures we sat in a place where everyone assembled and got brief intro of each other, Had Karachi biscuits, Dry fruits and Apple which we bought from lepakshi market which were shared by everyone, We started towards the giant Nandi, granite monolithic sculpture on the main road of Lepakshi approximately 200mtrs from the temple. It was too sunny, many of us didn’t go near to Nandi. 

We spent a little more time.  When stomach started growling and started reminding our hunger we realized that we need to have lunch ASAP. It was 1.30 pm by then, we found Nandini Canteen nearby They serve only meals. They gave fake banana leaves and many people were having doubts to have food on fake plates.  Some exchanged them with the normal steel plates. Meals was way too good than expected.  Vishal and Amol after finishing their lunch started serving like good boys as the service was too slow. Sumptuous meal I must say. After lunch it’s a bill time while paying bill Hotel owner gave us double ka meeta sweet as a compensation for slow service. We left at around 3 pm for Bengaluru. Oh on the way we found a Soda shop while heading to the highway and tried new Soda called "Nanaari". 

We all headed back from there with lots of smiles, bundle of memories, and satisfaction in heart. We hit NH7, Highways are the best part for riding, We halted by 4:15 at Pranav Hotel which is side by on highway @ Chikkaballapur to have quick tea, feedback and expense settlement. Feedback was very good from all participants. Both Amol and Manju took it in right spirits and told us they would implement feasible things in their next biking event, appreciate that about BTC events and Organizers. With all new friends on a Friendship day returned back home. 

It’s not yet done. Manju ensured all pillions are safely back home. A well spent friendship day to remember forever “Made Lazy Sunday to Lepakshi Sunday” 

Written By: Shravani & Kruthika
Organized By: Manjunath Maski & Amol Saindane
Event Date: 6th Aug 2017
Place: Lepakshi
Photo Album: BTC FB Page