Dodda Basavana Gudi (Nandi Temple) – Karnataka

Address

Dodda Basavana Gudi (Nandi Temple) – Karnataka

Bull Temple Rd, Basavanagudi,

Bangalore, Karnataka 560019

Moolavar

Nandi

Introduction

• Located on Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, South Bangalore, Karnataka.
• Dedicated to Nandi, the sacred bull and Lord Shiva’s vahana.
• Famous for its stone monolith of Nandi, continually covered with butter (benne) by devotees.
• Nearby idol of Lord Ganesha.

Puranic Significance:

• Legend of Nandi:
  • Area once fertile, but a mighty bull damaged crops.
  • Farmers, in desperation, struck the bull, which turned into a stone statue that grew daily.
  • Lord Shiva intervened by placing a metal plate on the bull’s head to stop its growth.
• Story of Sage Shilada and Nandi:
  • Sage Shilada, unable to have children, prayed to Lord Shiva and was granted a son, Nandi.
  • Sages predicted Nandi’s short life, but his unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva led Shiva to transform Nandi into his eternal companion as his vahana (sacred bull).

Special Features:

• Exclusively dedicated to Nandi, Lord Shiva’s sacred bull.
• Temple built in 1537 CE by Kempe Gowda under the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Vijayanagara architectural style with a simple structure.
• Features a large granite Nandi monolith in the shrine, measuring 15 feet (4.6 meters) high and 20 feet (6.1 meters) long.
• Vimana (temple tower) built in the early 20th century, adorned with Saivite motifs.

Festivals:

• Groundnut Fair held annually on the last Monday and Tuesday of Karthika Maasa.
• Devotees offer groundnuts to the deity during the fair.

Century/Period

1537

Managed By

Government of Karnataka

Nearest Bus Station

Bull Temple Bus Stop

Nearest Railway Station

Bangalore Station

Nearest Airport

Bangalore

Location on Map

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