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These famous temples in and around Bengaluru will take you on a memorable spiritual journey
The best cities in the world are an ideal blend of modern ethos and deep-rooted spirituality and history. Bangalore (or Bengaluru) is one of them. The city takes as much pride in being the cosmopolitan IT capital of India as it does in being spiritually and religiously relevant.
We admit that not many look at Bangalore with the same lens. It is natural to overlook age-old foundations and focus on the modern-day. But if you zoom in a bit, we assure you the sights and sounds I witnessed will have you revising your perception in no time.
There is sheer magic emanating from the innumerable inscriptions and sculptures belonging to the diverse temples in Bangalore. Their architectural ethos tell a modern-day tale of long-lost kingdoms and the voices of saints, sages, and lords blessing one and all through resounding conches, bells, and mantras. So, let me take you on a temple tour around the city and explore the heart of it all.
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If it is joy you seek, head straight to the Bull Temple in Bangalore, also known as Nandi Temple. Nandi translates to 'joy' in Sanskrit. Nandi is also the name of a sacred bull according to Hindu beliefs. The temple is dedicated to the Nandi Bull and is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Its main highlight is the statue of the Nandi bull, about 4.5 m high and 6.5 m in length. Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bangalore, built the temple during the 16th century. One of the most intriguing beliefs about the idol is that it is still growing. The bull also has a small iron plate on its head, believed to have been placed by Lord Shiva to prevent it from growing further.
The Sri Dodda Ganapathi Temple lies right next to the Bull Temple in Bangalore. As you walk in you see a massive 18-foot high and 16-foot wide idol of Lord Ganesha. When I visited this temple, I learnt that the idol is made of 110 kg of butter every four years and it doesn't melt! While anytime is a good time to visit the temple, I recommend you visit it during the Ganesha Utsav. That's when it takes on a whole new fervour that bursts at the seams with people in massive numbers.
At the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, the inner sanctum and the Nandi Bull have been structured and positioned in a particular way. I visited the temple during Makara Sankranti (14-15 January) when I witnessed a rare phenomenon: the sun's rays passing through the horns of the Nandi Bull and illuminating the lingam. This happens for an hour between 5 pm and 6 pm. I believe this age-old temple was carved out of a monolithic rock and has much to offer to architecture and history enthusiasts. Its courtyard also houses stunning monolithic pillars of the Sun God, Moon God, Damaru, and Trishul.
When the hustle and bustle of the city get under my skin and the pilgrimage becomes tougher than it should be, I head straight to the hills. The Nandi Hills, I mean. Here you’ll find a magnificent marvel bearing the architectural influences of five different dynasties that ruled here. I am talking about the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple. A National Heritage Monument, maintained by the Archeological Survey of India, the temple dates back to the 9th century. There are beautiful ancient carvings of Gods, animals, stories, and scenes from great Indian mythologies. And a water tank where I catch my reflection and ponder about life.
Visiting the Iskcon Temple in Bangalore was a wholesome experience for me. I don’t just mean religiously. It may be one of the more modern religious structures, but the teachings and way of life this institution preaches and adheres to are perhaps as old as time itself. No wonder then that this wonder is one of the most visited religious sites in Bengaluru. It is also the best-maintained Iskcon Temple complex in the world. It is also popularly known as Sri Radha Krishna Temple.
You've probably heard a thing or two about the 65-foot statue of Lord Shiva at the Shivoham Shiva Temple in Bangalore, about how his gaze puts you in a trance. But let me tell you that it is not the only highlight of this expansive temple complex. On my visit to the temple, I also saw a 32-foot statue of Lord Ganesha, a 25-foot Shiva Lingam, and the sacred Panch Dham and Barah Jyotir Ling Yatra. And then when I was done, I wrote a letter to God and made a wish with the Healing Stone (Upchaar Patthar). Miracles, after all, are born out of faith.
This one enchanted me at first sight. The Sri Someshwara Swamy Temple has a tall, colourful Gopuram that immediately grabbed my attention from a distance. Inside, intricately-carved sculptures depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati's wedding, and Goddess Durga conquering Mahishasura took me on an unforgettable spiritual journey.
Even though Lord Shiva is the main deity here, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are worshipped in the same breath. It is one of the oldest temples in Bengaluru and dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Its architecture bears stamps of the Hoysala, Chola, and Vijayanagara Empires. So if you're a history buff, it is perfect for you.
I have rarely seen temples adapting to high-tech practices to keep the deities appeased and the worshippers mesmerised. That is exactly why Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Temple presented itself as such a lovely surprise.
Imagine solar trackers that direct the rays of the sun to the main deity to perform a Surya Kirana Abhisheka all through the day. When the sun goes down, the 42-foot high crystal dome takes over, dispersing light in 16 colours in 138 patterns. Add to that a laser sky show against the backdrop of mist and smoke screen and I was hooked for good. The temple is perched atop a hillock and is dedicated to Lord Muruga, six faces of whom enchant viewers in all directions.
Located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Sri Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Temple is a samadhi (burial site) of Tonda Siddhalinga. A 15th-century saint, Siddhalinga was believed to be a gift to a childless couple. He grew up to be a great spiritual teacher and gathered many disciples as he travelled across spreading light and wisdom. Someone who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, with the power to cure and heal. The temple, beautifully carved and colourful, is one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres in and around Bengaluru.
Scenes from the epic Ramayana greeted me on either side as I made my way through the narrow but beautiful entrance. I saw the two shrines inside and paid respects to the two deities. The first was Lord Shiva, and the second was Lord Rama with Devi Sita, Sri Lakshmana, and Sri Hanuman. The caved ceiling gets as low as four feet at some points, so you may have to crawl. While the cave is believed to be 2,000 years old according to the Archeological Survey of India, the temple itself is believed to be 400-500 years old. It is also known as Hulimavu Cave Temple and is one of the two cave temples in Bengaluru.
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