Lepakshi

The monolith Nandi seated right across the Veerabhadra Swamy temple in this small town, some 100 kms from Bangalore has today come to be a symbol used to depict the pride of Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the Nandi has earned more popularity than the temple as it is some 20 feet high and 30 feet in length. Of course, the temple constructed in the Vijayanagar style has its own importance among the serious-minded pilgrims and the legend is that Shiva and Parvati got married at the spot where the existing Kalyana Mandapam of the temple stands.

According to another legend, Jatayu, the king of birds, fell at this spot after valiantly trying to thwart Ravana's flight to Lanka after kidnapping Sita. He lived long enough to convey the information to Rama, who, pleased with his devotion, uttered the words "Le Pakshi" which in Telugu means "arise bird", thus releasing Jatayu's soul from the mortal body. Hence the name Lepakshi.

To the south of the main shrine is a huge Nagalingam with a large seven-hooded granite cobra as shroud.