ಕನ್ನಡ
Bengaluru is an eclectic cosmopolitan city in South India where the old and the new, the local and the global, the material and spiritual, find a unique way to coexist.
Located 949 meter above the sea level, the city enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year and is home to spacious gardens, parks, tree lined avenues, a profusion of flowering trees, lakes and parks. The city popularly known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, apart from being a global IT destination, is also a popular science, industrial and educational centre.
The once sedate cantonment settlement of the British, Bengaluru has spread way beyond the mud fort and four towers constructed by Kempegowda, the founder of the city. A booming economy, diverse lifestyles and the largest expatriate population has converted the capital city of Karnataka into one of India’s fastest growing cities.
While the cosmopolitan, heritage, industrial and educational landscape of the city has been often explored, the plethora of pilgrimage experiences the city offers has not been in the limelight. This blog post uncovers the spiritual side to this multifaceted city.
Constructed by Kempegowda in Basavanagudi, the Bull Temple is a remarkable specimen of 16th century Dravidian style architecture. It is one of the six temples in India that worships Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The temple has a massive granite monolith of Nandi, one of the largest in the country, measuring 4.5m in height and 6.5m in length. The temple hosts the famous Kadalekai Parishe fair (Groundnut Festival) which usually happens between November-December.
Below the Bull Temple is the Ganesha Temple, which contains a colossal monolith Ganesha. The idol is 18 ft high and 16 ft wide.
The Bugle Rock Garden, spread across 16 acres is situated behind the Dodda Ganesha Temple and is adjacent to the Bull Temple. As the name suggests the garden is characterized by its rocky terrain, enveloped in the shade of trees. Bugle Rock Garden also houses one of the four watchtowers constructed by Kempegowda.
The ISKCON temple in Bengaluru is one of the largest of its kind in India. Inaugurated in 1997 by former President of India, Sri. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the Krishna temple, a massive cultural complex, built on a hillock, with granite, marble and Korean glass, was established to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning. The temple houses various deities, including Krishna, Balaram, and Radha. Another major attraction of the temple, the annual chariot procession, draws a large number of devotees.
This Hanuman Temple is located on a hillock named Ragigudda (literally translated as maize mountain). The special attractions here are the three rocks that represent the Hindu trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Over and beyond its purpose as a place of worship, it also serves as a cultural, educational and social service project.
Adorned with a granite moon, sun-disc monoliths, a stone umbrella, a Shivalinga and three cave passages, this unique temple was built during the reign of Kempegowda. During Makar Sankranti, it is observed that a ray of light passes between the horns of the stone bull and illuminates the deity placed inside the cave.
This temple is known for its splendid 65ft Shiva statue,caves and an artificial pond resembling the Mansarovar lake. Another attraction here are the replicas of Jyotirlingas.
This church was established in 1969 by Rev. D. Lourdusamy, the then Archbishop of Bengaluru. Massive crowds are drawn to the church on Thursdays, the day dedicated to infant Jesus.
Built originally as a chapel in the year 1818 by Jean-Antoine Dubois, it was transformed into a beautiful gothic style church in 1874. In 1974, the Pope elevated the church to the status of a Basilica.
The remarkable interiors of the church – with its vaulted ceiling supported by Corinthian pillars, splendid arches and stained-glass windows would leave anyone awestruck. St Mary, also known as Our Lady of Health is said to possess miraculous powers and draws thousands of devotees on the feast day in September.
This cathedral named after St. Mark is located at the west end of MG Road. It is one of the oldest churches in Bengaluru and was founded in 1808. The cathedral celebrated its 200 years bicentenary in 2007-2008. Its architecture is inspired by St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The entrance of the cathedral has elaborate woodwork with ornate carvings, which complements the majestic ceilings and domes. The church bell is amongst the most well-maintained bells in India. The stained glass work adds to the beauty of the cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Church, established in 1841 is one of the oldest churches belonging to the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Located on Brigade Road, it has served in the past as a Cathedral and then as a personal parish.
Located adjacent to the picturesque Ulsoor lake, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara was built in 1943. It is the largest Sikh shrine in Bengaluru. All the devotees are offered free meals on Sundays, which is known as ‘Guru Ka Langar’.
This temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva is considered to be about 1250 years old. Located in Ulsoor, it is believed to be built during the Chola dynasty and revamped during the reign of the Vijayanagara Kings and Kempegowda.
Located in the heart of the City Market, this is the largest mosque in the city and can accommodate close to ten thousand devotees at a time. The 5 storey structure is an architectural masterpiece built out of pure white marble from Rajasthan.
Masjid-e-Khadria is a very beautiful mosque situated on Millers Road inside an Eidgah ground. The mosque is very close to the Bangalore Cantonment Railway station. It is constructed in the Islamic style of architecture with pointed arches and onion shaped domes and is surrounded by gardens and fountains. The prayer hall houses over 2100 people at the same time.
The Maha Bodhi Society (MBS) is a Buddhist Charitable Organization established by Acharya Buddharakkhita in 1956. Established with the objective of practicing the teachings of Bhagawan Buddha through meditation and selfless service, the society has come to play a significant role in providing humanitarian and spiritual services in India and abroad.
It has established monasteries for monks and nuns, meditation centers, hospitals, old age homes, educational institutions and published over three hundred Dhamma books.