10 temples to visit in Bangalore

ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple

ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple Dedicated to the worship of Sri Radha Krishna, this temple exemplifies the traditional temple architecture combined with the modern elements of construction. It is a magnificent structure containing the shrines of Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Krishna Balarama, Nitai Gauranga, Srinivasa Govinda and Prahlada Narasimha. The temple is located in Rajajinagar about 5-6 km from central bus station/railway station, and 2 km from Yeshwantpur railway station. The clean surroundings and the spiritual atmosphere of the temple make it a must-visit. 

The major festivals celebrated here are Brahmotsava, Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vaikuntha Ekadashi.

Darshan: 7:15 am to 1:00 pm and 4:15 pm to 8:30 pm.

Bus route:
From Majestic – K-5, 78A, 252F, 252H, 80, 80(A to G)
From City Market – 76, 77, 77(D, E, F)
From Shivajinagar – 79 (D to H)

Alight at Mahalakshmi layout entrance stop and from there it is a 5-minute walk to the temple.

Address:ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 560 010.

Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi)

Bull temple is dedicated for the worship of Nandi (the sacred Bull), the carrier of Lord Shiva. This temple is renowned as the Deity of Nandi here is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The gigantic structure carved out of a single piece of granite rock measures 15 feet (height) by 20 feet (length) and attracts a large number of devotees and tourists. The temple located in N.R. Colony, on the south of Bull Temple road was built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. Bull temple is a venue for the annual groundnut fair (known as Kadalekayi Parishe in Kannada) in the month of Karthika (November-December) when the farmers make an offering of their first harvest of groundnuts to the sacred bull and sell groundnuts in the fair.  Darshan: 7:00 am to 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Bus route: From Majestic - V-HOHO-1 to 7 From Shivajinagar - V-HOHO-4, 5, 7 Address: Bugle Hill, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore – 560 004

Dodda Ganapathi Temple

Dodda Ganapathi Temple, situated on Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi is the most famous of all the Ganesha temples in Bangalore. The word ‘Dodda’ (which means big in Kannada) before ‘Ganapathi’ signifies the large sized Deity of Lord Ganesha in the temple. This impressive Ganesha Deity measuring 18 feet in height and 16 feet in width is sure to leave the visitors spellbound.

  

Dodda Ganapathi, also called Satya Ganapathi and Shakthi Ganapathi is adorned every day with different items like butter, fruits, vegetables, turmeric and kumkum powder. Among them, the butter decoration is very unique as the Deity anointed with over 100 kg of butter looks magnificent and fascinates the devotees. This place is just next to the famous Bull Temple on the same road

Darshan: 7 am to 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Bus route:
From Majestic - V-HOHO-1 to 7
From Shivajinagar - V-HOHO-4, 5, 7

Address:
Sri Dodda Ganapathi Temple, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore – 560 019

Someshwara Temple

The Someshwara temple located in Halasuru is one of the ancient beautiful temples of Bangalore. The presiding Deity here is Lord Someshwara, another name of Lord Shiva. Apart from Someshwara, four more lingas - Bheemeshwara, Nanjundeshwara, Arunachaleshwara and Chandramouleeshwara - grace the temple. The temple structure is marvellous with most of the basic elements following the Vijayanagara architecture. Built by Kempe Gowda, it is adorned with many notable sculptures and decorative features. The major features of the temple - the impressive Rajagopura with a Dhwajastambha in the front, mantapas and several sculptures depicting the stories from the Puranas - capture the attention of the visitors.

Maha Shivaratri is the main festival celebrated here.  Other festivals include the Brahmotsava and the Kamakshamma Pallakki Utsava.

Darshan: 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.

Bus route:
From Majestic - 131, 138, 314 (B, D, E, H, T, X)
From City Market - 314 (C, F, G)
From Shivajinagar - K-1, 197, 139, 314 (A, N, P)

Address:
Sri Someshwara Swamy Temple Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore - 560 008.
Landmark: Near Ulsoor Police Station

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

This is one of the ancient celebrated temples in Bangalore, dedicated to Lord Gangadhareshwara (Lord Shiva).  It is situated in a Gavi (meaning cave in Kannada) and therefore it is well-known as the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. The temple is located in Gavipuram about 3 km from the City Market and is stated to have been cut of a single piece of rock. It is a good example of a rock-cut architecture of 9^th century.    

This place witnesses a large crowd of devotees on the days of Makara Sankranti and Shivaratri. The day of Makara Sankranti is of special significance here as it is only on this day that a beam of sun rays passes between the horns of the statue of Nandi (the sacred bull) situated outside of the temple at the entrance and directly falls on the Shiva-linga inside the cave, illuminating it with the natural light for an hour. This is truly an architectural wonder.

Darshan: 7.30 am to 12.00 pm and 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Bus route:
From Majestic – 35, V-HOHO-1 to 7
From City Market – 35
From Shivajinagar – 37D, V-HOHO-2, 4, 5, 7

Address:
Lakshmipura main road, Gavipuram, Kempe Gowda Nagar, Bangalore.

Prasanna Veeranjaneya Temple

This is one of the beautiful temples in Bangalore. Located in Mahalakshmi Layout, the 40-year-old shrine is dedicated to Sri Anjaneya (Hanuman) and is at a short distance (about 5 min. walk) from ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna temple.

The unique feature of this temple is the enthralling 22-foot tall Deity of Anjaneya, carved out of a single rock. The serene atmosphere of the temple in addition to the charming Deity will certainly have a soothing effect on the visitors. 

Behind the main Deity, there are also a small shrine of Lord Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman and two other shrines of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahalakshmi.

The major ceremonies conducted here Hanumat Jayanthi, the temple anniversary and Benne Alankara (decorating the Deity of Anjaneya with about 420 kg of butter).

Darshan: 6 am to 8.30 pm

Bus route:
From Majestic – K-5, 78A, 252F, 252H, 80, 80(A to G)
From City Market – 76, 77, 77(D, E, F)
From Shivajinagar – 79 (D to H)

Address:
Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, 12th Cross Road, Mahalakshmi Layout,
Bangalore - 560 086

Kote Venkataramana Temple

This attractive shrine located just beside Tippu Sultan's palace near City Market is one of the ancient temples in Bangalore, dating back to the sixteenth century. Built in the Dravidian architecture by the then ruler of Mysore Sri Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, it is appreciated for the beautiful stone carvings. 

Lord Venkateshwara is the presiding Deity worshipped here.  

On the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi which is the major festival observed here, large crowds of devotees visit this temple to seek the blessings of the Lord.

One can easily reach this place from any part of the city by taking a BMTC bus to City Market from where it is a walkable distance. 

Address: Kote Venkataramana Temple, Albert Victor Rd (near City Market), Chamarajpet, Bangalore.

Banashankari Temple

The temple of Goddess Banashankari is located in Banashankari on Kanakapura Road. Built in 1915, this place of worship draws a large number of devotees who visit the temple and pray to the Goddess to remove their distresses. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday are the days that witness a throng of devotees here. 

What distinguishes this temple from other ones is the time of the puja performed here. Surprisingly, the Goddess is worshipped during Rahukala which is considered inappropriate for performing any auspicious ceremonies. 

The major festivals here are the birth anniversary of Goddess Banashankari, the Dasara festival and the temple anniversary.

Darshan: 6:00 am to 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Bus route:
From Majestic – 12, most of the buses in 210, 211, 212 and 215 series  
From City Market – Most of the buses in 210, 211, 212 and 213 series
From Shivajinagar – Most of the buses in 13 series

Address: S Kariyappa Road, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore - 560070

Lord Venkateshwara Temple, TTD, Vyalikaval 

If you are unable to visit the Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, you might consider giving a visit to Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Vyalikaval. The Deities here, sculpted by TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) exactly resemble those in the Tirumala temple. 

Here you can have darshan of Lord Venkateshwara, Goddess Padmavati, Andal Ammavaru, Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Lord Ganesha and Sri Radha Krishna. 

Another unique feature of this temple, built as per the guidance of TTD temple architects is that the Deity worship is performed as it is done in the Tirumala temple. Moreover, the contributions that you make here shall be credited to TTD Hundi at Tirupathi. You can also book e-darshan tickets and offer other services at the TTD information center here.  

 

Every Saturday, those who visit this temple can buy a Tirupathi Laddu here for Rs. 25.

Bus route:
From Majestic – 104, TR-6
From City Market – TR-6
From Shivajinagar – 100, 241S

Alight at Bhashyam Circle, Sadashiva Nagara. From there it is a 5-minute walk to the temple.

Address:
Sri Venkateshwara Temple, The TTD Center, Garden Park Extension, 16th Cross, Vyalikaval, Bangalore - 560 003.

Devagiri Sree Venkateshwara Temple

This temple is located on Devagiri, a hillock in Banashankari. As you approach this place, you will be impressed with the 108-foot-tall Rajagopuram.  

Here the presiding Deity is Lord Venkateshwara who seems to be an exact replica of the Deity in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. On either side of the Lord, there are the Deities of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Padmavathi. The temple houses a Kalyana Mantapa, a Mukha Mantapa, Addalu Mantapa, etc. along with the shrines of Navagrahas and Sri Hanuman. 

Devotees throng this temple on Saturdays and on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. The main seva that is offered here is Thirukalyana Seva (the divine wedding ceremony of the Lord).

Bus route:

From Majestic – 12, most of the buses in 210, 211, 212 and 215 series  

From City Market – Most of the buses in 210, 211, 212 and 213 series

From Shivajinagar – Most of the buses in 13 series

Address:Devagiri Sree Venkateshwara Temple (Near B.D.A. Complex), 15th Main, 22nd Cross, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560070.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami at ISKCON Bangalore

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