10 Best Temples to Visit in Bangalore

Bengaluru has over 1,000 temples, both old and new. In the heart of this modern IT city, temples in Bangalore date back to the 10th century. Here is a look at 10 of Bangalore’s most famous temples.

When visiting the temples in Bangalore, you will discover rich histories and vibrant cultural significance.

1. Chokkanathaswamy Temple

These temples in Bangalore attract visitors from all over the world, eager to experience the spiritual ambiance.

Many consider these temples in Bangalore to be architectural marvels.

Nestled in Domlur, near the Airport, is Bengaluru’s oldest temple. This temple was built in the 10th century by the Cholas, and the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. The temple, which was once in shambles, was renovated 20 years ago.

The Bull Temple is among Bangalore’s most iconic temples, known for its massive statue of Nandi. On the pillars of this temple, we see Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatara. Another interesting feature is the pranic energy felt in the temple.

This area in Bangalore hosts multiple temples that come alive during festivals. Visitors to Dodda Ganesha Temple often remark on the tranquility found in these temples in Bangalore.

2. Bull Temple at Basavanagudi (Dodda Basavana Gudi)

This temple is situated in NR Colony, South Bangalore. The temple was built in the year 1537 by the local ruler of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire. The granite structure of the statue of Nandi, the Hindu demigod shaped as a bull, is said to have been carved from a single block of rock.

This is supposed to be the largest Nandi temple in the world, measuring 15ft in height and 20 ft in length. The actual temple is small, consisting only of the shrine.

There is also an idol of Lord Ganesha nearby. Every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of the Hindu month of Karthika a groundnut fair is held in the temple premises and the nut is offered to the deity. This fair is known as Kadalekkayi Parishe.

Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple is among the few temples in Bangalore that showcase rock-cut architecture.

3. Dodda Ganesha Temple at Basavanagudi

This monolithic Ganesha is in the same temple complex as the Nandi statue. It stands about 18 ft. high and 16 ft. wide. This Ganapati is popularly known as Shakthi Ganapati or Satya Ganapati.

The idol is adorned with different decorations each day of the week. On one of the days, this huge idol is covered in butter, weighing over 100 kg.

People from different walks of life come here to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

4. Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple

This Cave Temple is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. This 9th-century temple is said to have been carved from a single rock and is also famous for its stone discs in the forecourt. It is one of the few temples in Bangalore dedicated to Lord Shiva, the main idol being a Shivalinga. The front of the temple is adorned by a sculpture of Nandi.

The temple also has a rare sculpture of the fire god Agni, with his two heads, seven hands, and three legs. This temple sees the largest crowd on the festival of Shivaratri. Devotees gather here on Makara Sankranti day, when it is believed that at a particular moment in the evening, the sun’s rays fall directly on the Shivalinga inside the cave.

Temple timings: 7.30 AM to 12.00 pm and again from 5 PM to 8.30 PM.

5. The ISKON

ISKCON Bangalore. Image source asratravels.com

Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple- This temple is situated at Hare Krishna Hill on West Chord Road. This Neo-Classical temple is attached to a cultural complex occupying a seven-acre hillock.

This temple on Airport Road is a prominent landmark among Bangalore’s temples.

It was built to commemorate the centennial of Sri Prabhupada’s birth, the founder of ISKCON. With its ornate temple arches, fountains, and elaborated Rajagopuram, this temple is a feast for the eyes.

The four temple Gopurams are attached by a glass canopy. The deities worshiped are Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda, and Sri Prahlada Narasimha.

There is also a Vedic Museum, an exhibition area, and a lecture hall. The ISKON Vedic Theatre, where multimedia Vedic films are shown.

Many believe the Banashankari Temple embodies the spirit of the temples in Bangalore.

The Temple also has lodging facilities for devotees.

Temple timings: 4:15 AM to 5:00 AM; 7:15 AM to 1:00 PM; 4:00 PM to 8:20 PM.

6. The Shiva Temple on Airport Road

It is impossible to miss the 65-foot-high Statute of Lord Shiva seated in the Lotus position, on Airport Road. Built in 1995, this architectural wonder is a must-visit for all tourists. It has a grand look and a towering presence. Over 400,000 devotees visit this statue on the day of festivals.

It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash, the Lord’s heavenly abode, and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks, as depicted in mythology.

The carvings in Venkataramanswamy Temple are a testament to the skilled craftsmanship found in temples in Bangalore.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

7. Banashankari Temple

This Sugreeva Venkateshwara Temple is a lesser-known gem among Bangalore’s temples.

Situated on the busy Kanakapura Road is the famous temple of Banashankari Amma. This temple was built in 1915, and the deity Banashankari Amma was also installed there that same year. The Goddess Banashankari Amma is worshiped by many during the Rahukala to remove all obstacles and hardships.

Though the temple is open on all days of the week, devotees throng the temple from dawn to dusk on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays to offer special pujas to the goddess.

The main festivals celebrated are the deity’s birthday on the 13th of September, the Dashera festival in October, and the temple anniversary during Pushya Maasa, which falls between December and January.

The Kanyakaparameshwari Temple is a unique addition to Bangalore’s many temples. Each mural inside Kanyakaparameshwari Temple tells a story, much like the tales associated with other temples in Bangalore.

The Darpana Mandira is just one of the many fascinating elements of the temples in Bangalore.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

8. Venkataramanswamy Temple, Basavanagudi

This temple is situated in Visvesvarapuram, Basavanagudi. This temple was built over 300 years ago and is home to some very interesting and intricate carvings. Though it is a relatively small temple, the lion brackets and carvings of human and animal figures make it a unique example of Dravidian civilization.

The figures of the Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva adorn the walls. The idol in the sanctum sanitarium is Lord Venkatarama. The people not only come to this temple to pray but also to marvel at the architecture.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

9. Sugreeva Venkateshwara Temple

This temple, located in the Balepet area, houses idols of Sugreeva and Venkateshwara. In the sanctum sanatorium, placed on a pedestal, is the temple of Lord Venkateshwara.

The Sugreeva idol, standing six feet high, may be mistaken for Lord Hanuman. The long teeth on either side of the mouth are the only thing that helps one understand the difference.

Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

10. The Kanyakaparameshwari Temple

This temple is situated in Kumara Park. The Goddess Kanyakaparameshwari is the main deity in this temple. The temple is also unique because of its Marble work and the murals on its walls.

The murals depict the scenes from the Bhagavad Gita and Vasavi’s history. Murals of holy places, as well as of ancient Rishis, can also be seen.

The Darpana Mandira, meaning mirror temple, is also a main feature of this temple.