Bangalore to Lepakshi Tempo Traveller Hire – Easy Day Trip for Families

Bangalore to Lepakshi Tempo Traveller Hire – Easy Day Trip for Families

If you have ever wanted a day out that grandparents and toddlers can both enjoy, Lepakshi is hard to beat. The drive is short and mostly on a smooth highway, the main temple is compact and fascinating, and you are home before dinner. Just across the Karnataka border in Andhra Pradesh's Sri Sathya Sai district, Lepakshi is famous for the Veerabhadra temple with its painted ceilings and "hanging pillar", and for one of the largest monolithic Nandi sculptures in the country. A tempo traveller from Bangalore to Lepakshi lets the whole family, cousins included, travel together without juggling three or four cars.

Why Families Love This Trip

• Short travel time: About 2–2.5 hours each way from north Bangalore.
• Easy walking: The temple and Nandi are on flat ground, with no steep climbs.
• Stories for kids: The Jatayu legend from the Ramayana is tied to the name Lepakshi, and guides tell it well.
• Flexible add-ons: Nandi Hills on the way, or Puttaparthi further on for a longer day.

The Route Out of Bangalore

Lepakshi is roughly 115–130 km from Bangalore, depending on where you are picked up. The drive follows NH44, the airport road, past Hebbal, Yelahanka and Devanahalli, then onward via Chikkaballapur and Bagepalli. Shortly after crossing into Andhra Pradesh near the Kodikonda area, a turn-off leads to Lepakshi village. Groups in Hebbal, Yelahanka, Thanisandra or Sahakar Nagar are best placed for this trip; families from Jayanagar, Electronic City or Whitefield should leave a little earlier to clear city traffic.

The highway is wide and well maintained, so this is one of the gentlest road trips from the city for anyone prone to motion sickness. Tolls apply on the highway.

The Andhra Pradesh Permit: A Quick Explainer

Lepakshi lies in Andhra Pradesh, so a Karnataka-registered tourist vehicle crossing the border needs the applicable interstate permit or entry tax. This is routine for operators, and XploreCabs will handle it, but the charge is part of your total cost. When you compare quotes, check whether the Andhra permit is already included or listed as an extra; a cheaper-looking quote that leaves it out may not be cheaper after all. Rules and amounts can change, so check current rules at the time of booking.

What to See at Lepakshi

Veerabhadra Temple

Built in the 16th century under the Vijayanagara empire, this temple is a treasure house of sculpture and mural painting. Look up in the main hall to see large ceiling frescoes in natural colours. Out in the complex, look for the giant carved serpent coiled over a Shiva linga, the unfinished kalyana mandapa with its rows of carved pillars, and the famous hanging pillar, which appears to barely touch the floor. Guides often demonstrate by sliding a thin cloth beneath it. Please do not try to test it yourself in ways that damage the stone.

The Monolithic Nandi

A short walk or drive from the temple, an enormous Nandi carved from a single granite rock faces the temple. It is a favourite photo stop, and there is a garden area around it.

Jatayu Theme Park and Hill

Near the temple, a hilltop sculpture and park commemorate the legend of Jatayu, the bird who fought Ravana. It is a short, simple visit and popular with children.

Sample Plans

The Classic Half-to-Full Day

• 7:00 am: Pickup in Bangalore.
• 8:00 am: Breakfast on the airport road stretch or near Chikkaballapur.
• 9:30 am: Reach Lepakshi and explore the Veerabhadra temple with a guide.
• 11:30 am: Nandi monolith and Jatayu park.
• 1:00 pm: Lunch at a local eatery or packed food.
• 2:00 pm: Start back, reaching Bangalore by around 4:30–5:30 pm.

Lepakshi with Nandi Hills

Start very early to catch the Nandi Hills sunrise (check current entry timings and any vehicle restrictions on the hill), then descend for breakfast and drive on to Lepakshi. This makes a long but very rewarding day.

Two-Day Option with Puttaparthi or Penukonda

Continue from Lepakshi to Puttaparthi, home of the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram, or to the historic hill fort at Penukonda. Stay the night and return the next day. Because both lie in Andhra Pradesh, the same permit considerations apply, and an overnight stay adds driver bata and a night halt allowance.

Choosing a Family-Friendly Vehicle

Since the trip is short, comfort is easy to achieve. A 12 seater is ideal for two or three families with small children and a pram. A 17 seater covers most joint families and housing society groups. A 20 seater or 26 seater works for larger community or religious groups. Go for AC from March to June, when the Anantapur region gets very hot. Pushback seats are a bonus for elders. Read more in our 12, 17 and 26 seater comparison.

What You Will Pay For

A Lepakshi quote typically reflects the vehicle size and AC choice, kilometres and hours used, highway tolls, the Andhra Pradesh interstate permit, driver bata and parking near the temple. If you add Nandi Hills or Puttaparthi, the distance and time increase accordingly. Share your exact plan and the XploreCabs team will send a line-by-line estimate so nothing comes as a surprise.

Ask about ₹1,500 off too: the offer covers eligible outstation rides, with T&C applying. Our team will tell you if your Lepakshi day trip qualifies.

When to Go

October to February is the most comfortable time, with mild mornings and cooler stone floors. The region is dry and can be very hot from March to May, so if you go then, arrive early and finish by noon. The monsoon months bring light to moderate rain and some greenery to the rocky landscape. Temples may be busier on festival days such as Maha Shivaratri, so plan around them depending on whether you want the atmosphere or a quieter visit.

Handy Tips for Parents and Elders

• Carry socks or plan an early visit, since footwear is removed inside the temple and the stone heats up.
• Keep water, caps and sunscreen in the vehicle; shade is limited around the Nandi.
• Packed snacks help, as food options in the village are simple.
• Photography rules inside the temple may vary; follow staff instructions.
• Agree on a guide's fee before the tour starts.
• Carry ID for all adults in case it is asked for at the border checkpost.

Making the Most of the Murals

Lepakshi's ceiling paintings are among the most important surviving examples of Vijayanagara-era mural art. They show scenes from the epics and from Shiva's legends, painted with natural pigments in earthy reds, ochres and blacks. Look closely at the clothing and jewellery on the figures, which tell historians a lot about life in the 16th century. A good guide will point out details most people walk past, such as the carved footprint linked to the Sita legend and the many small sculptures of musicians and dancers on the pillars. Allow at least an hour inside the temple if your group enjoys art and stories.

Food Along the Way

The airport road has plenty of breakfast places, from busy darshinis to larger family restaurants near Devanahalli and Chikkaballapur. Lepakshi village itself has simple eateries serving Andhra-style meals, which can be quite spicy, so ask for milder options for children. Many families pack a picnic and eat in the garden area near the Nandi. On the way back, a tea break near Chikkaballapur breaks the drive nicely.

Groups That Suit This Trip

Beyond families, Lepakshi is popular with school groups studying Vijayanagara history, senior citizens' clubs looking for an outing without long walks, and art and photography groups. Corporate teams sometimes pair it with a resort lunch near Devanahalli as a short team day. Because the trip is under a day, it is also a nice way to entertain visiting relatives without committing to a full weekend.

At the Border Checkpost

Crossing into Andhra Pradesh is usually quick. The driver stops at the border checkpost, where vehicle papers and the permit are verified. Passengers normally stay seated, though officials may occasionally ask questions about the trip. Keep the group's plan handy so the driver can answer clearly. On the return, the same checkpost may require a short stop. Allow ten to twenty extra minutes each way for this in your schedule, especially on weekends when traffic to Puttaparthi and Anantapur is heavier.

How to Book

Booking is simple: share your date, number of adults and children, pickup address and any add-ons like Nandi Hills. We will suggest a suitable vehicle and send an itemised quote, including the Andhra permit. Once you confirm, you will receive driver details before the day. New to group rentals? Our guide on hiring a tempo traveller in Bangalore explains how it all works.

A Simple, Memorable Family Outing

Lepakshi proves that a great family day out does not need a long drive. Ancient art, a giant Nandi and a good story, all within a couple of hours of home. Get in touch with XploreCabs and let your family enjoy the day together.