We took NH7 on an idle weekend enroute Hyderabad via Devanahalli [ Yeah - the BIAL fame]... it took us 140KMs to reach Lepakshi, Ananthapur Dist. Most captivating sight was the impression of Sita devi's right foot [ I heard left foot landed in Kandy in Srilanka ].
The kalyana mantapam, remnants of a once beautiful courtyard. The temple is situated on a hillock and the flooring has been left untouched.
Another view of the temple kalyana mantapam.
The naga linga was supposed to have been carved out by a man in an hour. The mother of the sculpturor was so fascinated that her third eye (dhristhi) fell on this impeccable sculpture that it cracked immediately. Since in Hindu culture a broken image was not be worshipped - the king made alternative arrangements to install the Lingam.
Some impressive sculptures. All are monolithic which are different from the temple sculptures found in the south especially in Karnataka which have many pieces sewn together. 
The suspended pillar in another view - full view. The suspended pillar can be seen resting on the right side after a British man who couldnot contain his curiosity and stupidity tried vainly to trace the method adopted of suspension and in the melee dislodging the precariously suspended pillar. 
Durga devi embedded in the pillar itself and worshipped. During days of large gatherings a mirror reflecting the image is used to serve larger interest of public.
A painting on the ceilings of the temple. Many paintings reportedly by many distinct and well known painters of the era can be witnessed here. 
One of the stories that do the rounds is that the painters wanted to outdo the sculptors but failed to make an impression. The administrator was so unconvinced about the tall claims that he commissioned a new set of painters and banished the local painters from the capital.
The nandi faces the Lingam on the naga lingam side. Once there was a clear view - but over time this view can still be see unobstructed but for human settlements. 
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