IT hub of India, Bangalore is connected to its divine roots and its rich culture and heritage should not be forgotten. One can see here, some beautifully carved temples of the Dravidian style of Architecture here which are mesmerizing and worth-watch. The inscriptions on the walls of the temples are dated back to the 1000 years of the Chola dynasty and reflect the rich history of the past. There is public transport available here as well as the metro which you can use to explore here. Here are some of the famous temple of Bangalore:
Iskcon temple
Abode of Lord Krishna, this temple is built in 1997 and one of Vaishnavism’s largest temples in the world. The structure od the temple is graceful and embellished with beautiful stone carvings that look elegant and built in the neo-classical style. A large number of od devotees visit this temple and impressed by the fine Lord Krishna’s idol that is attractively adorned. The temple complex is highly organized for devotees for the conduct of learning sessions about the life of Lord Krishna.
- Address: Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd, 1st R Block, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560010, India
- How To Reach: Iskcon can be reached easily by public transport as well. The nearest metro station to Iskcon Temple Bangalore is Sandal Soap Factory station (Green Line) while the nearest bus stop is Mahalakshmi Layout Entrance which is just 2 kilometers away from the temple.
- Timings: 4.15 am to 5 am, 7.15 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm.
- Temple Website: https://www.iskconbangalore.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year
- Top Attractions: Beautiful architecture and Lord Krishna idol.
Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple
Built with a design that resembles Lord Shanmukha’s six faces, this temple has an embellished crystal dome with an LED and Laser lights that dazzle at night. Located in the Southwestern Bangalore, this ostentatious temple complex contains three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ganesha.
- Address: RajaRajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore.
- How To Reach: The nearest metro station is the Mysore road metro(7.9 km) drive.
- Timings: 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
- Top Attractions: Two enormous peacock statues at the entrance.
Shivoham Shiva Temple
Being one of the most beautiful temples in India, this temple attracts a lot of people here for its Idol of Lord Shiva which is 65 feet tall sculpted out of white marble. Apart from that, It has also one idol of Ganesha which is 32 feet tall and a 25 feet high Shiva Linga. It was completed in 1995 and located on the Airport road. If you want to enjoy some spiritual activities and attend the special aarti, do visit here on Monday.
- Address: 97, HAL Old Airport Rd, Ramagiri, Murgesh Palya, Bengaluru
- How To Reach: can be reached easily by public transport, Nearest metro stations are Murugeshpalya is 318 meters away, 5 min walk. Manipal Hospital is 729 meters away, 10 min walk. Kodihalli is 1119 meters away, 15 min walk (Purple line).
- Timings: 24 hours.
- Best Time To Visit: During Maha Shivaratri and Ganesh Chaturthi
- Top Attractions: Gorgeous idols of Lord Shiva and Ganesha
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
A cave temple, built in the 9th century built by Founder of Bangalore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. It is said that this temple is built from a single big rock, and houses a rare idol o the Fire God Agni having two heads and three legs.
- Address: Gavipura, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru.
- How To Reach: Can navigate from all parts of Bangalore by hiring a taxi, bus or auto. The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is located around 5 km from the Bangalore City railway station and around 38 km from Bangalore International Airport.
- Timings: 7.30 am to 12 pm &5 pm to 8.30 pm.
- Best Time To Visit: December- January
- Top Attractions: Direct sunlight that falls on the Shiva Linga which is placed inside the cave.
Nageshvara Temple
Dated back to the Ganga and Chola Periods, this temple is located on the southern outskirts of Bangalore with inscriptions reflects the history of the late 9th century about Bangalore war. The presiding deity os Lord Vishnu.
- Address: Begur Main Rd, Begur, Bengaluru
- How To Reach: BMTC buses plying between Begur and KR Market/Shivaji Nagar/Kempegowda Bus Stand. Marco Polo AC buses to Shivaji Nagar travel from Vishwapriya Nagara. Whereas can be navigated from all parts of Bangalore by hiring a taxi, bus or auto.
- Timings: 6 am to 12 pm & 5.30 pm to 9 pm
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year
- Top Attractions: Historic inscriptions
Kote Venkataramana Swamy Temple
One of the oldest temples in Bangalore, built-in 1689 by the ruler of Mysore, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkataramana. One can witness here, the beautiful typical Dravidian and Vijaynagara architectural styles with the walls having gorgeous carvings of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on it.
- Address: 39, Krishna Rajendra Rd, Kalasipalya, Bengaluru
- How To Reach: The nearest metro station is K R Puram is 419 meters away, 6 min walk(Green line).
- Timings: Sunday to Friday from 3 am to 8 pm & on Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
- Top Attractions: Architectural Styles of the temple.
Dodda Ganesh Temple
Popularly known as “The Bull Temple ” or “The Nandi Temple”, Dodda Ganesha Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bangalore that is built by Kempegowda the founder of Bangalore. Situated in South Bangalore, this temple is an adobe of largest Nandi murtis and has a gigantic idol of Lord Ganesha which is 18 feet high and 16 ft wide. The idol is decorated daily and one of them is applying butter to the idol which is called Benne Alankara.
- Address: Bull Temple Rd, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004
- How To Reach: The nearest metro station is Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ganesha Bhavan.
- Timings: 6 am to 12 pm & 5 30 pm to 9 pm
- Best Time To Visit: November-December
- Top Attractions:a massive monolithic Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull), ancient rock formations in Bugle Rock Park
Chokkanathaswamy Temple
Dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Vishnu, this is the oldest temple in Bangalore city with beautiful inscriptions, notable sculptures on pillars that depicts the local traditions, local dance forms and ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. It was built in the 10th century and constructed in the Chola style of architecture by Chola rulers.
- Address: 5th Cross Road, Opposite Sony World, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071
- How To Reach: The nearest metro station is halasuru(2.4 km) 8 mins, and Indiranagar(2.9 km) 10 mins.
- Timings: 6 am to 11 am & 5 pm to 8 pm
- Best Time To Visit: November- December
- Top Attractions: Witnessing pranic energy flowing through the bodies of devotees as they pray, temple architecture.
Sri Banashankari Amma Temple
Built-in 1915 and dedicated to Hindu goddess Banashankari, this temple is famous for its intriguing beliefs and its architecture and beautiful carvings. The festivals here are celebrated in the month of September during Dussehra and it is believed that worshipping goddesses here can lessen the difficulties and remove hindrances from the path in life.
- Address: S Kariyappa Road, Kanakpura Main Road, Sarbandapalya, Banashankari Temple Ward, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560070
- How To Reach: The temple is located near to the Banashankari Bus Stand and is 9kms from Bangalore City Railway Station, Bus stand and is around 42kms from Bangalore International Airport.
- Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
- Best Time To Visit: September-January
- Top Attractions: festivals and architecture
Someshwara Temple
Another one of the oldest temples in Bangalore built more than 1200 years ago by Cholas and renovated by Vijaynagara later, this temple is situated in East Bangalore and considered as an important part of the states’ heritage. This temple also attracts tourists for its unique carvings on pillars near the entrance gate and is built in the honor of Shri Someshwara Swamy. The carvings depict the history and narrate the story of Shiva’s marriage to Parvati.
- Address: Anugraha Layout, Ramanashree Enclave, Bilekahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076, India
- How To Reach: The distance from Someshwara Temple to Bangalore Railway Station is about 8.5 km. One can find an auto or cab to reach the temple in about 30 minutes via Cubbon Road.
- Timings: 6 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 9 pm
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year.
- Top Attractions: 48 mesmerizing and intricately carved pillars of Vijayanagar Era
Since Bangalore has more than thousands of temples with unique architecture and importance, these are some of the famous temples, I have listed. If you are an art lover, as well as religious, you will a pleasant experience there for sure. Enjoy!
