Kadugodi Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Bangalore

Address

Kadugodi, Bangalore,

Karnataka 560067

Moolavar

Kashi Vishweshwar

Introduction

Kashi Vishweshwar temple is located in the Kadugodi, Bangalore, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The temple dates back to the Chola King Rajendra Chola’s Period (971–1044 CE).

Puranic Significance

The name of the locality “Kadugodi” came as this temple was built in centre of the forest so the name Kadu (meaning forest in Kannada) and Gudi (meaning temple in Kannada). The Vaastu & Architecture have a strong resemblance to the Ganga dynasty, which preceded the Cholas. Inscriptions on the basement of the temple also refer to the deity as Rajadhi Raja Bhangisvaram. The original Shiva Linga mentioned in these inscriptions was stolen and replaced by a new one brought from Varanasi.

During the rule of the Cholas, the place was a dense forest. Gangaikonda Rajendra Cholan, one of the Chola kings, built the Kashi Vishweshwar temple in this forest. A small village sprang up around the temple with the first house belonging to the temple priest. His descendants still offer poojas for the deity in the temple. It is believed to have been the only temple at that time in an area comprising almost 15 kilometres. So it was named ‘Aranya Puri’, a Sanskrit term for ‘Kadugodi’.