Halasuru Someshwara Temple

Karnataka , Bangalore Rural, Bangaluru

Halasuru Someshwara Temple is located in Halasuru (also called Ulsoor) in the suburbs of Bangalore City. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Temple is one among the oldest temple in the city dating back to the Chola period. Many major additions or modifications were made to the temple during the reign of Hiriya Kempe Gowda II of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Legend

In the "Gazetter of Mysore" (1887), Benjamin Lewis Rice describes the legend behind the consecration of the Temple. Kempe Gowda, while on a hunt, rode far away from his capital Yalahanka. Being tired, he rested under a tree and fell asleep. The local deity Someshwara appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to build a temple in his honor using buried treasure. In return the chieftain would receive divine favor. Kempe Gowda found the treasure and dutifully completed the temple. According to a different version of the legend, King Jayappa Gowda (1420-1450 CE) from a minor dynasty of the Yelahanka Nada Prabhus was hunting in a forest near the present Halasuru area, when he felt tired and relaxed under a tree. In a dream, a man appeared before him and told him that a linga (universal symbol of the god Shiva) was buried under the spot he was sleeping. He was instructed to retrieve it and build a temple. Jayappa found the treasure and initially built the temple out of wood. Another account attributes the Temple to the Chola Dynasty with later renovations made by the Yelahanka Nada Prabhus.

Architecture

The temple plan follows many of the basic elements of Vijayanagara architecture though at a lower scale. The temple has a square sanctum (garbhagriha) which is surrounded by a narrow passageway. The sanctum is connected to a closed mantapa (hall) whose walls are decorated with pilasters and sculptures in frieze. The closed mantapa is connected to a spacious open mantapa consisting of four large projecting 'bays' (area between four pillars). The piers leading to the sanctum and those facing outward from the open mantapa are the standard Yali (mythical beast) pillars.

There are several notable sculptures and decorative features in the complex. An impressive pillar (kambha or nandi) pillar) stands near the tall tower over the entrance gate. The tower itself exhibits well sculptured images of gods and goddesses from Hindu mythology. The open mantapa consists of forty eight pillars with carvings of divinities in frieze. To the north is the navagraha temple with twelve pillars, each pillar representing a saint (rishi). The entrance to the sanctum exhibits sculptures of two 'door keepers' (dvarapalakas). Other notable works of art include sculptures that depict King Ravana lifting Mount Kailash in a bid to appease the god Shiva, Durga slaying Mahishasura (a demon), images of the Nayanmar saints (Tamil Shaivaite saints), depictions of the Girija Kalyana (marriage of Parvati to the god Shiva), the saptarishis (seven sages of Hindu lore). Recent excavations at the temple site has revealed the existence of a temple tank (kalyani) which could be 1200 years old.

Darsan Info

Temple Timings : 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM and 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM.

Abhishekam is performed to Lord Shiva every morning 7.00 AM.

On Shiva Ratri and Ugadi, special poojas are offered to Lord.

Darsan Dresscode

Visitors are requested to wear modest clothing. No shorts are allowed (even for men).

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.