Wonders, they say, never cease.India is a land of ceaselesswonders, often waiting to bediscovered by the world.

Lepakshi is one such wonder. Located110 kilometres from Bangalore, about 10kilometres from the nearest railhead ofHindupur,Lepakshi is located in the state ofAndhra Pradesh.The very scenic drive fromBangalore, redolent with sunflower- andmarigold-filled fields, can be very cool andpleasant. Lepakshi is a tiny town known forits silk weaving. The priceless Veerabhadra

temple sits atop a small tortoise-shaped hill.Inside lies a magnificent trove of sculptureand mural art, about five centuries old.

Lepakshi was founded in the 16th cen-tury, possibly 1538, during the reign of theVijayanagar king, Aliiya Rama Raya. An al-most finished saga in stone was created byVirupanna and his brother Viranna, gover-nors of the Penukonda region, underVjayanagar rule. It was a popular temple,and visiting devotees and pilgrims couldfind shelter at the temple itself, along therock pavilions. Stone rings were set into the

World of wondersLepakshi

Time has not withered the magnificent sculptures and murals of the village of Lepakshi, also

known for its silk weaving, located in Andhra Pradesh.Photos and text by Rupa Gopal.

Tourism

56 India & You � January-February 2007

Lepakshi

Andhra Pradesh

Tourism.qxp 1/12/2007 2:08 PM Page 56

Tourism

58 India & You � January-February 2007

Tourism.qxp 1/12/2007 2:14 PM Page 58

motifs in the murals. The nearby town ofDharmavaram is also famed for its silksaris.

The military might and wrath of theBahmanis resulted in the vandalising of theLepakshi sculptures, as everywhere else.

Was it the invasion, drought, famine or justinsane jealousy that interrupted the com-pletion of the open - air pavilion? Time hasnot yet told the story. Perhaps the largestever Nandi,here in Lepakshi, is the sole wit-ness to it all, guarding the precious cache of

murals and the gods.The serene beauty of Lepakshi is known

to all the locals, a few art lovers and manyforeign visitors. Fortunately, Lepakshi isfairly close to Puttaparthi, the magneticholy town of Sai Baba,visited by hordes.Thediligent art-loving foreigner is drawn toLepakshi while on a visit to Puttapathi.

Local guides speak a variety of Indianlanguages and passable English.Lepakshi assuch is too small a town, though a travellers'bungalow is kept well maintained for alltourists.Hindupur provides decent lodgings,as do certain highway motels.Nandi Hills canbe a good diversion to the tourist,on the driveback - either for a stay at the hilltop or just toadmire the lovely bull temple at the base,splendorous with its carvings.

The murals of Lepakshi are the result ofsuperhuman effort testing the ingenuity ofthe painters. The ravages of time have thusfar been defeated by supreme ancient skills,a continuing wonder.■

Tourism

India & You � January-February 2007 59

Royall Trainn Journeyy A Luxury Train Tour is the best way to explore India from an intimateperspective, spending your time being there, not getting there.

Unlike a bus tour where you spend more time on the bus than actuallyseeing the country, or a hotel-hopping trip where you constantly pack andunpack, a Luxury train Tour offers you fine food, great service and scenictravel through the beautiful Indian countryside.

Come aboard the luxury train that carries with it an ambience of theRajputana era and an exciting fairytale journey. These tours provides guests a life time experience visiting Palaces, Forts & Museums, Templesand Hills, mixing with the people of the land during the day & resting in 'Royal Saloons" of the train at night. A week on the train gives an idea of the varying topography of the land - fertile plains to rugged hills and desertto forest and stopping enroute to visit interesting historic cities and quainttowns in India.

Palace on Wheels (7 nights / 8 days) - A splendid & enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the erstwhile Rajasthan. Though times have changed and the winds have shifted, the Palace on Wheels cruises along in royal style, the kind only the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated and enjoyed.The exquisite and exclusive Palace on Wheels has luxurious cabins and a very personalized service... in fact, almost everything that could compromise of heaven on earth for seven days!

All the prices given are per person and include travel on the train with all meals, conducted sight-seeing tours in deluxe air-conditioned coaches, entrance fees for monuments and culturalentertainment. 10% surcharge for Christmas & New Year’s departures will apply. Prices valid for mentioned dates and are subject to change without notice.

Single Double TripleSep & Apr US$ 2765 US$ 2065 US$ 1680Oct - Mar US$ 3745 US$ 2695 US$ 2205

Reservation: INDIA FRANCE UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATESPhone: +91 124 4041786 +33 147 685692 +44 208 0029041 +1 866 3747068Mobile: +91 9811050160 +33 610844015 Fax: +91 124 4103090 +33 147 685692Email: h2t@vsnl.net h2t_france@voila.fr Member of Travel association:

Tourism.qxp 1/12/2007 2:14 PM Page 59