How far is Lepakshi from Bangalore by road, and what does a cab cost?
Lepakshi is about 120 km north of central Bangalore, typically 2.5 to 3 hours by car on NH44 past the airport and Chikkaballapur, then a short turn east near the Andhra Pradesh border. A chauffeur-driven sedan costs Rs 4,320 Pay Now to Reserve one way; a same-day return trip is billed on 250 km, Rs 9,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan or Rs 14,250 Pay Now to Reserve in an Innova Crysta, before 5% GST.
Few Bangaloreans realise that one of the finest Vijayanagara-era temples anywhere lies barely an hour beyond their airport. Lepakshi is a small village just across the state line in Andhra Pradesh, and its Veerabhadra temple, raised on a low granite outcrop in the sixteenth century, is a treasure house of carving and painting. There is a pillar that famously does not quite touch the floor, ceiling murals that still glow with natural pigments, a vast seven-hooded serpent sheltering a linga, and, a short walk away, a colossal Nandi cut from a single boulder.
It makes a near-perfect day trip: an easy highway drive, a couple of unhurried hours at the site, and time to add Nandi Hills or a lakeside lunch on the way back. RutzIndia.com runs Lepakshi trips from anywhere in Bangalore and from Kempegowda International Airport, with drivers who know the NH44 exits, the border checkpost and where to park by the temple. This guide explains the history, the route, the season, the fares and how to plan the day. When you are ready, book online.
What makes Lepakshi special
The Veerabhadra temple. Built around the 1530s by two brothers, Virupanna and Viranna, who served as governors under the Vijayanagara emperor Achyuta Deva Raya, the temple is dedicated to Veerabhadra, a fierce form of Shiva. It is protected as a monument of national importance; see the Archaeological Survey of India for heritage details.
The hanging pillar. In the main mandapa, one of the carved pillars stands with a gap under part of its base, so a thin cloth or paper can be slid beneath it. Guides and visitors have been demonstrating the trick for generations; please follow any instructions from staff so the pillar is not disturbed.
Painted ceilings. Lepakshi preserves some of the most extensive Vijayanagara murals to survive. Scenes from the epics and the Puranas, portraits of the patrons and a huge image of Veerabhadra cover the ceilings of the mandapas, painted with mineral and vegetable colours. Bring a torch or use your phone light to see details in the darker corners.
The Naga linga. Behind the main shrine, a massive granite serpent with seven hoods rears over a Shiva linga, carved from a single rock. Local legend says the sculptors finished it while waiting for their lunch.
The unfinished marriage hall. The Kalyana Mantapa, with its richly carved pillars of celestial figures, was never completed, and its roofless state adds to its drama in the afternoon light.
The monolithic Nandi. Roughly a kilometre from the temple, a Nandi about 4.5 metres high and more than 8 metres long, carved from one granite boulder, faces the temple and the Naga linga. It is among the largest monolithic Nandis in India.
The Jatayu story. The village name is often linked to the Ramayana: the bird Jatayu is said to have fallen here after fighting Ravana, and Rama called out "le pakshi", "rise, bird". A modern Jatayu sculpture on a rock near the village commemorates the legend.
For official information on the region, see Andhra Pradesh Tourism and the Sri Sathya Sai district website, the district in which Lepakshi now lies.
The drive from Bangalore
Central Bangalore to the airport junction (about 35 to 40 km). From the city, take Bellary Road through Hebbal and the elevated expressway towards Kempegowda International Airport. At weekends and early mornings this takes 45 minutes; at weekday peaks, over an hour.
Airport to the Andhra border (about 70 km). NH44, the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway, is a fast six-lane road past Devanahalli, Chikkaballapur and Bagepalli. Tolls are collected at regular plazas. Food courts and dhabas line the route; Chikkaballapur is a good coffee stop.
Border to Lepakshi (about 12 to 15 km). Just after crossing into Andhra Pradesh near the Kodikonda checkpost, a signed road turns east to Lepakshi through farmland and boulder-strewn hills. It is a two-lane road with light traffic.
From Bangalore airport directly (about 90 km, around 1.5 hours). If you are landing in Bangalore with a few hours to spare, Lepakshi is closer to the airport than much of the city. We track your flight, meet you with a name board and wait 60 minutes free after an international landing or 30 minutes after a domestic one; after that, waiting is billed at the hourly rate. Terminal information is on the Bengaluru airport website.
Because the trip crosses from Karnataka into Andhra Pradesh, interstate permit or entry charges for commercial vehicles may apply at the border; any such fee is passed on at actual cost.
Best time to visit Lepakshi
- October to February: the best months. Clear skies, daytime temperatures in the high 20s and cool mornings on the highway.
- March to May: very hot in the Anantapur plateau, often near 40 degrees by afternoon. Go early and finish by noon.
- June to September: the south-west monsoon brings only moderate rain to this dry region; the countryside turns green and visits are generally comfortable, if humid.
Maha Shivaratri draws large numbers of devotees to the temple, and the state periodically holds a Lepakshi cultural festival with music and dance; check Andhra Pradesh Tourism for dates. Weekends bring day-trippers from Bangalore, so a weekday visit is quieter.
Chauffeured services and fares for Lepakshi
Every Lepakshi quote comes from the published card on our fares page. One-way trips are priced by the kilometre; same-day returns count as an outstation round trip with a 250 km daily minimum; and airport pickups bill at least our Bangalore transfer fare.
- Same-day return from any Bangalore address, the most popular option, with the driver waiting while you explore.
- One-way drop if you are continuing north to Puttaparthi, Penukonda or Hyderabad in another car or by train from Hindupur.
- Airport pickup straight to Lepakshi, then on to your Bangalore hotel.
- Luxury cars for photographers, overseas guests or a special occasion; our luxury car rental in Bangalore desk supplies Mercedes and BMW sedans.
- Groups in 12 to 17 seat Tempo Travellers for school heritage trips, architecture students and family outings; see Tempo Traveller in Bangalore.
| Vehicle | Bangalore to Lepakshi one way (120 km) | Same-day return from Bangalore (250 km billed) | Bangalore airport to Lepakshi (about 90 km, minimum fare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dzire or similar sedan | Rs 4,320 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 9,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 4,170 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Honda City or similar premium sedan | Rs 5,760 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 12,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 6,240 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Innova Crysta | Rs 6,840 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 14,250 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 7,290 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Mercedes E-Class or similar | Rs 19,800 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 41,250 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 21,660 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Tempo Traveller 12-17 seat | Rs 9,360 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 19,500 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 11,280 Pay Now to Reserve |
Figures exclude 5% GST. Highway tolls on NH44, any interstate permit charge at the Andhra border and parking are added at cost. A day trip that includes Nandi Hills or Puttaparthi may run past 250 km; the actual distance is then billed. Multi-day trips add a driver night allowance of Rs 1,500 per night. Pay by card or UPI through the booker, and ask for a GST invoice for company outings.
Should your plans shift, cancelling more than 72 hours before pickup is free. After that we charge 10% of the fare inside 72 hours, 50% inside 48 hours, and the full fare inside 24 hours or on a no-show. Full terms are on our cancellation policy page. We only send cars within four model years.
Planning the day: three ways to do Lepakshi
The classic day trip (about 250 km).
- Leave Bangalore at 7 am to clear the city before traffic builds.
- Breakfast near Chikkaballapur, reach Lepakshi by about 9:30.
- Spend two hours at the temple and the Nandi, with a local guide if you like the stories.
- Lunch on the highway and be home by mid-afternoon.
Sunrise at Nandi Hills plus Lepakshi (about 280 km). Leave at 5 am for sunrise on Nandi Hills, then continue up NH44 to Lepakshi for mid-morning. Our Nandi Hills by road guide covers gate timings. On the way back, many families stop at the Adiyogi statue near Chikkaballapur.
A two-day Andhra heritage loop. Day one to Lepakshi and on to Penukonda's hill fort, overnight at Puttaparthi; day two back to Bangalore via Hindupur. For a longer journey into Vijayanagara history, our Hampi by road guide covers the empire's great capital, about 340 km from Bangalore. Pilgrims heading east instead may like Tirupati by road.
Practical tips for Lepakshi
- Timings and fees: the temple is open through the day, but hours and any ticketing can change; check the ASI or state tourism sites before you go.
- Dress and footwear: modest clothing is expected, and shoes are left at the entrance. Stone floors get very hot by noon in summer, so carry socks.
- Photography: generally allowed outside the sanctum; flash can damage the murals, so keep it off.
- Guides: local guides wait near the entrance and bring the carvings and legends to life; agree the fee first.
- Parking: the lot near the temple is small; drivers drop you at the gate and park nearby, with any charge passed on at cost.
- Water and shade: carry water and a hat; there is little shade between the temple and the Nandi.
For city pickups and full-day hire, see our taxi service in Bangalore and car rental with driver in Bangalore pages. Landing first? The Bangalore airport taxi page explains terminal pickups.
