Abodes of the Supreme

BENGALURU: For the devout Shiva bhakts, Bengaluru has many beautiful temples where the lord is worshipped. Here are some of the most famous that you can visit.

Kadu Malleshwara Temple
The locality Malleswaram got its name from the Kadu Malleshwara Temple. It is a 17th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Next to it, is Nandishwara Theertha, another major attraction among the devotees. Here, the water continuously flows from the mouth of Nandi statue and falls on the Shiva Linga. It is believed that this pool of water is the source of Vrishabhavathi river.

Kempfort Shiva Temple
The temple, known for its 65ft Shiva statue, is one of the main landmarks in the city. The temple on Old Airport Road also has a big idol of Ganesha and different idols of other forms of Shiva. The idol is carved in white marble and placed in a pool of water, symbolising Kailash.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
One of the ancient cave temples in Bengaluru, Gavi Gangadhareshwara is known for its rock-cut architecture. During Makar Sankranthi festival, the sunlight passes through the horns of Nandi’s statue and directly falls on the lingam. The temple is located in Gavipura.

Halasuru Someshwara Temple
Belonging to the Chola period, the oldest temple of the city is located in Halasuru. A square kalyani, with items from British era, was discovered in 2013 on the premises of this 1,250-year-old temple.