The “Bull Temple” is found in Bangalore the capital of Karnataka. , the bull is honoured as Shiva’s mount in this temple on the same platform as the Vishvanath Temple. It is also called “Nandi temple”. The temple has a giant bull (4.6 metres tall), carved out of a single boulder. It is a sculptural masterpiece. In Kannada, Basava means bull, which gives the name Basavanagudi to the locality. The temple has a giant bull (4.6 metres tall), carved out of a single boulder. It is a sculptural masterpiece.
It faces the Shiva temple. A statue of Nandi the bull of Shiva is inside flanked at the back with statues of God Surya and Goddess Candra on their chariots drawn by horses. Non Hindus are not allowed in the temple. The temple is busy always with some ceremony or other going on. On weekends there are musicians who are performing at the temple. The Bull Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull. Here you can find a huge monolithic statue of the sitting bull that draws a large number of people to this place every day.
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. 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. In Kannada, Basava means bull, which gives the name Basavanagudi to the locality. This is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore situated in basavanagudi dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva. Kempe Gowda built this temple in the 16th century. 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 Bhoganandiswara temple at the foothills of Nandi Hills goes back to the period of the Banas, Cholas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagar Kings.. Bhoganandiswara, Umamaheswara and Arunachaleswara are enshrined here. The kalyanamandapa is of great beauty here.The Yoganandiswara temple atop the hill goes back to the Chola period. It received extensive patronage from the Vijayanagar Kings. The pillars and metalwork deserve special mention. 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.
Main Attraction :
In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, Kadalekayi Parishe (The Groundnut fair)is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull. Dodda Ganapati, a manificent image of the Lord, is enshrined adjacent to the Bull temple. It is believed that the source of the river Vishva Bharti originates at the feet of the statue.
Bull Temple Ancient Legend :
The legend has it that the surrounding area of the temple, known as Sunkenahalli was cultivated for groundnut. A bull started grazing in the well-grown groundnut crop, at this, a farmer got furious and hit the bull with a club. Immediately the bull sat down becoming motionless and was transformed into a stone. Poor farmers were left stun and felt guilty. For their repentance they decided to build a temple for the bull, to their surprise the bull was growing in height. The worried farmer then prayed to Lord Shiva who advised them to redeem 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. Farmers followed the Lord’s advice and the bull stopped growing. Still one can see the trident place on bull’s forehead.
Festivity :
Anually, Kadalekayi Parishe -the Groundnut Fair is held near the temple during the month of November- December when the groundnut crop is harvested. Farmers offer the first groundnuts harvest to the sacred bull. Thousand of visitors and devotees throng the temple site from all over the state.
Climate:
The climate of Bangalore is even and pleasant throughout the year. For the foreigners coming from cold climes the months of December and January are good, with a maximum temperature nearly 28 0 Centigrate.
Clothing :
During the summer months (May, June). The maximum temperature is nearly 32 0 – 34 0 centigrade and cool cottons are recommended. During the winter months of December and January the maximum temperature is between 25 0 – 28 0 centigrade therefore light woolens for the night can be used.
Language :
Kannada is the principal language spoken here. In addition people are well versed in English and a little bit of Hindi also. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city.
Location: In Basavangudi, at Bull Temple Road in Bangalore, Karnataka
Built by: Kempe Gowda
Built in: 1537AD
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Attraction: 5 meter tall bull
How to reach: One can easily reach Bull Temple by taking local Buses, auto rickshaws or by hiring taxis from Bangalore