The Bull Temple or Nandi Temple is one of the oldest temples
in Bangalore situated in Basavanagudi dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord
Shiva. It was built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda under the Vijayanagara empire in the
Vijayanagara architectural style. The temple is named after the large granite
Nandi monolith placed on a plinth in the temple shrine (garbhagriha) which has
become blackened from years of being rubbed with charcoal and oil. The temple
is a small one, consisting only of the shrine fronted by a porch in the
Vijayanagara style. The current tower (vimana) over the shrine was constructed
in the early 20th century and is adorned with Saivite figures and motifs.
Location Bull Temple Rd, NR Colony, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
Legend
The surrounding area, known as Sunkenahalli had groundnut growing farmers. A bull started grazing on the well-grown crop enraging a farmer who hit the bull with a club. The bull sat stunned and was suddenly transformed into a stone.The shocked farmers then decided to build a temple for the bull to atone for what they had done, but were shocked to see that the bull was growing taller. The worried farmer then prayed to Lord Shiva who advised him to retrieve a trident buried a few feet away from the bull and place the trident on the forehead of the stone statue to stop it from growing. This was done and the bull stopped growing. The thankful farmers decided to place their first crop of groundnut as an offering to the bull. Hence, this handsome Bull Temple was built and the bull apparently took the hint and stayed away from the groundnuts. The thankful farmers continue to hold a Groundnut Fair (kadalekayi parishe) near the temple premises every year, to show their gratitude. 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 year on January 14th (Makara Sankranti) it is believed that a ray of light passes between the horn of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol kept inside. The Bull temple is a buzz with great activity during the Shivratri festival.
Architecture
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. The size of the Nandi is overwhelming. At the back is a small Lingam shrine. Its modern Gopuram rises, gracefully and majestically. 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. The magnificent Nandi, 15 feet tall and over 20 feet long has been carved out of single granite rock. Farmers offer the first groundnuts to the sacred bull. It has a grey granite sacred bull, Nandi, after which the temple has been named. The sacred bull has been carved out of a single granite block. It measures 4.57 mt in height and 6.10 mt in length.The image has been carved out of single granite rock. The original colour of Nandi bull was grey which has now turned black due to the application of coconut oil by the devotees. The statue of the bull has been carved out of a single rock.
Culture
The city of Bangalore has beautifully blended its rich
cultural heritage with modern culture which makes it one of the most happening
cities in India. The city though being considered the IT Capital of the country
is undergoing a revival of age-old traditional art forms. This fusion of the
old and the new can be seen in every aspect of Bangalore culture, right from
its theatre to its arts and crafts and gives the city a cosmopolitan character.
Darsan Dresscode
Visitors are requested to wear modest clothing. No shorts
are allowed (even for men).
Darsan Info
Temple timings:
6:00 AM to12:00 PM & 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Entry free to every one.
Special Rituals
Every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of the Hindu month
of Karthika Maasa a groundnut fair is held in the temple premises and groundnut
is offered to the deity. This fair is known as 'Kadalekaayi Parishe' in local
tongue. Groundnut sellers and devotees throng the place during Kadalekaayi
Parishe.
Temple Rituals
Every Morning pooja at 6 A.M to Nandhi
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