This age-old temple was built by the founder of Bangalore, Kempegowda I, around the year 1537. th
In fact, this 16 centurytemple gives one of Bangalore ' s oldest suburbs its name – Basavana Gudi( Bull temple). What is unusual about the Bull Temple is the massive monolith of Nandi( bull) that it ensconces, which teeters at 15 feet, and stretches across 20 feet. This sacred bull is carved out of a single stone of grey granite, which is then polished with groundnut oil and charcoal to give it a black sheen. Built in the Dravidian style, the Bull Temple is still a bustling and energetic place of worship, especially during puja times. The tradition of venerating the Nandi still holds, and an annual groundnut fair is held every November. Called the ' Kadalekai Parishe ', the event is a colourful one that spills onto the streets. Worshippers are known to propitiate the Nandi with groundnut garlands during this time. Near the Bull Temple is the Dodda Ganesha Temple, another ancient city landmark.
Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Raj Bhavan Road, Closed on Mondays and second Tuesdays Bang in the middle of Raj Bhavan Road is an unusual attraction – a multimedia show featuring lights, music
Shiva Temple Kemp Fort, Airport Road A 65-foot marble statue of Shiva holds centrestage at this recently built temple on Old Airport Road. The ginormous Shiva idol is seen seated in meditation, with Goddess Ganga flowing out of his matted locks – an artificial waterfall depicts her descent. A manmade replica of the Manasarovar lake with artificial caves and ' Jyothrilingas ' make this temple a popular attraction among the religiously-inclined.
and dancing fountains. With the backdrop of a park, these gushing fountains powered by a thousand nozzles move to the riffs of Western and Indian music, making fifteen formations in all. Two shows are put up everyday, from 7pm to 7.30pm, and from 8pm to 8.30pm.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Gavipuram Guttahalli This over-five-hundredyear-old Shiva temple was built in Kempegowda ' s time. Today, it is a protected monument and an active temple still in worship. The remarkable thing about this ancient temple is that the Shiva linga that is worshipped here is set in the heart of a natural cave, or ' gavi ' as it is called in Kannada. Other sculptural highlights are granite monoliths carved with discs of the sun and moon, a stone umbrella, Shiva ' s trident and an idol of Agni, the Vedic god of fire. Every year, a rare spectacle can be witnessed at this cavetemple – on the day of Makara Sankaranthi( a harvest festival in January), the sun ' s rays passes through the horns of the stone bull seated in front of the linga and spotlights the inner sanctum for an hour or so. A must-see for temple architecture buffs, it is also believed that sage Gautama, one of the ' Saptharishis ' or ' seven great sages ' in Indian lore, meditated here.
ISKCON
Hare Krishna Hill, West of Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Open from 7am to 1pm and 4pm to 8.30pm Built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, this temple dedicated to Krishna and Radha, fuses modern architecture with traditional elements. Perched on the top of the ' Hare Krishna Hill ', the temple complex soars over the surrounding landscape with trademark towering ' gopurams '. One of the biggest Iskcon temples globally, the campus is large and airy with the main hall
featuring a medley of deities from Balarama to Prahlada Naramsimha. An open theatre, a bakery and a Vedic Museum are also part of the temple ' s offerings.
Someshwara Temple Ulsoor This ancient temple in Ulsoor has a history of over five hundred years. Built by the chieftain of Bangalore, Kempegowda, the Someshwara Temple is a wonderful instance of Chola architecture. Dedicated to the deity Someshawara and his consort Kamakshi, this temple like so many Bangalore temples, has an icon of the sacred bull Nandi flanking the sanctum sanctorum. There are also visible influences of Vijayanagara architecture, as seen in a hall with 48 carved pillars and the massive ' gopuram ' or pyramidal tower at the entrance.
Jamia Masjid
KR Market This beautiful mosque looks almost otherworldly in the midst of crowded jumble of KR Market. The all-white, five-storied Jamia Masjid has striking architectural features including carved latticed windows, floral motifs, and capacious interiors replete with Rajasthani white marble. Jamia Masjid was built in 1940
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