Bull Temple

The "Bull Temple" is found in Bangalore the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore is relatively a new city and it dates as recently as 1537 when the Vijaynagar Kingdom made a grant of land to an ally called Kempe Gowda. In the 18th century, Haidar Ali, Tipu Sultan and the Wodiyar dynasty of Mysore strengthened it. The British later enlarged it and shifted the main cantonement from Srirangapattanam to a much higher and healthier Bangalore. Today Bangalore is a fast growing city with business opportunity galore. Due to its fast growing computer industry it's been nicknamed "India's Silicon Valley". Bull Temple is one of the places to visit in Bangalore. Kempe Gowda made many temples i.e. dedicated to Anjaneya (God of Power), Vinayaka (God of good fortune), Nandi (Shiva's bull mount).

The Bull temple at Basavanagudi is in Bangalore at the top of a hill. One can take a taxi to the temple or brave a good work up the hill.

The climate of Bangalore is even and pleasant throughout the year. For the foreigners coming from cold climes the months of December and January are good, with a maximum temperature nearly 28 0 Centigrate.
Clothing : During the summer months (May, June). The maximum temperature is nearly 32 0 - 34 0 centigrade and cool cottons are recommended. During the winter months of December and January the maximum temperature is between 25 0 - 28 0 centigrade therefore light woolens for the night can be used.

Kannada is the principal language spoken here. In addition people are well versed in English and a little bit of Hindi also. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city.

In the shrine atop the hill a massive garlanded black and shiny Nandi (Shiva's mount, the bull) is ensconsed, which dates back to 1786. It is 5mt in height and over 6 mt in length. The size of the Nandi is overwhelming. At the back is a small Lingam shrine. Its modern Gopuram rises, gracefully and majestically. The underground "Sri-Gavi Gandadhareshwara Temple" is equally fascinating, where on every January 14th (Makara Sankranti) they say, a ray of light passes between the horn of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol kept inside. Three levels of excavations have been carried out in the cave. One can see the black stone Hanuman, here. On the way to the Bull Temple one comes across a temple dedicated to the Elephant God Ganesha. The Bull temple is a buzz with great activity during the Shivratri festival.

Local festival Kadalekaye Parishe (Ground nut fair) at the Bull Temple includes a groundnut eating festival. The farmers offer their first harvest collection to Nandi (November-December).
Timings: Entry to the temple is free and the daily timings are from 6a.m. to 8 p.m.

The temple built by Kempe Gowda, a typical example of the Dravidian-style temple, is situated in Basavanagudi. The temple has a huge monolithic bull 4.5m tall and 6m long. It is believed that the source of the river Vishwa Bharathi originates from the feet of the Nandi. The bull has a small iron plate on its head to prevent it, as tradition says, from growing. Also there is a Ganesh temple, with a large deity made of 110 kilos of butter. The deity of butter is broken up and distributed every four years. In Kannada, Basava means bull, which gives the name Basavanagudi to the locality.

In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, Kadalekayi Parishe (The Groundnut fair)is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull. Dodda Ganapati, a manificent image of the Lord, is enshrined adjacent to the Bull temple. It is believed that the source of the river Vishva Bharti originates at the feet of the statue.