On Visiting Dakshinamukha Nandi Teertha at Malleswaram , Bangalore

Outer View of Nandi Teertha Temple

Nandi idol with engraved figures of Shiva and Parvati with family

Flowing water from Nandi's mouth

 

To know the rich cultural heritage of Bangalore you have to visit the older quarters of this historic city. In Malleswaram located in northwestern part of the city you will find a cluster of temples in the middle of the busy market selling many varieties of vegetables, flowers, banana leaves, fruits and whatnot. A complete change from the dusty, crowded multi-storied buildings of I.T. hub.  Small houses with tiny windows in the narrow lanes will make you remember the olden times. It is the locality where many Tamil Brahmin families settled. So we feel a clear resemblance to that of a small colony in a town.

 We saw a small entrance with the idol of a big Nandi on the top of the western entrance. As we entered we saw a small pond in the center within an enclosure. Nobody is allowed to wash their limbs there. We saw many black turtles and white fish in the crystal-clear water. A corridor with many pillars is seen at an elevated level around the pond. A stream of water flows from the mouth of a stone idol of south-facing Nandi perched on a higher level. Just below a Shiva Linga is seen over which water falls from a brass vessel hung over the idol. The stream of water from Nandi’s mouth flowing through a pipe and falling into the vessel over the Shiva Linga collects into the water tank (called Kalyani in Kannada).

The water from Kalyani is evacuated into the open well outside the temple. This water is considered very pure with herbal properties and is taken as holy teerrtham by devotees.   Nobody knows the origin of this water flow. It might be a natural spring behind from where water is flowing through Nandi’s mouth. On the left side of Shiva Linga the shrine of Ganesh is seen and a Navagraha platform is found on the right side. Just behind Nandi’s idol the figures of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Ganesha and Subrahmanya are engraved on gold-coated brass panels. In many temples Nandi is seen at a lower level facing Shiva Linga. But here Nandi is seen above the Shiva Linga.

Devotees standing in front of Shiva's shrine

Black turtle on the steps

fish seen under water

Navagraha Shrine

Ganesh's shrine

Garden in front of the temple premises

This temple is considered to be a part of the nearby Kadu Malleswara temple. According to archeological Survey of India, this Nandi Teertha  temple was built in 17^th century in Maratha style without any decorative designs. The Maratha king, Venkoji, stepbrother of Shivaji built this temple. The temple is below ground level and has no gopuram or tower. For many years it was buried under mud. In 1990’s when construction work was started, it was discovered by chance.  No changes or additions were made to this temple except the western entrance with a huge idol of Nandi on the top of the arch. A beautiful garden with many shady trees adds charm to this historic temple.   The temple timings are from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Many special poojas are held during Maha Shiva Rathri and during Kartik month.

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18th April, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala

                                

On My Visit to Dodda Ganapthi Temple, Bull Temple Road, Bangalore

Entrance Arch

Main Tower

 
                 

Big Ganesha Idol in the sanctum

Dodda Ganapathi coated with butter and decked with ornaments

 People will not miss visiting this temple which is quite near to Dodda Basavanna Temple. It is just behind the Bull Temple and is 5kms from the city station. Other tourist attractions like Lal Bagh gardens and Gavi Gangadhareswara temple are quite nearby. The special significance of this temple is the huge monolithic idol of Ganapathi measuring about 18 feet in height and 16 feet in width. Very rarely do we find such a gigantic stone idol in sitting position with four hands holding a noose (pasha) and goad (Ankush) in upper hands and a broken tusk and a modak in lower pair of hands. The idol decked in golden ornaments looks quite majestic and evokes devotion in minds of onlookers.  On the entrance arch one can see the idol of Ganesh in sitting position. On the tower of inner sanctum one can see the various gods and goddesses of Shiva Parivara flanked by guards.

Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, happened to see a huge granite rock in the shape of Ganesha . He called sculptors and asked them to carve a monolithic idol of Ganapathi . In 1537 he constructed a temple in Dravidian style for this huge idol of Ganapathi who was called “Satya Ganapathi” and “Shakti Ganapathi”. During Ganesh Chathurdhi a week-long celebrations are held in this temple and the idol of Ganapathi is decorated in many ways. The famous decoration of Ganapathi with coating of one hundred kilos of butter all over the idol with shining jewels (benne alankara) looks very beautiful and impressive.  In Kartika Month and during Kadakai Parishe (Groundnut Fair) many devotees come here to perform poojas.

 The temple timings are from 6.30 to 12.30p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Every day many poojas are done at this temple. The Big Bull Temple and the adjoining Bugle Rock garden are other nearby worth seeing tourist attractions. The sculptural beauty and grandeur of Dodda Ganapathi and Dodda Basavanna surely stand as the outstanding examples of rock sculpture in the whole world. Don’t miss visiting these two temples if you visit Bangalore.

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     11th march, 2018                                      Somaseshu Gutala

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On My Visit to Basavangudi (The famous Bull Temple), Bangalore

Basavangudi Temple tower

Way to Basavangudi

Bull Statue in the sanctum

Bugle Rock Park Entrance

  

This famous Bull Temple perched on the top of the Bugle Hill is one of the star attractions of Bangalore. It is centrally located in the heart of the city within the premises of Bugle Rock Garden at Basavangudi Road near Gandhi Bazaar, in the southern part of the city. The spacious surroundings with two horn shaped structures invite you to enter the temple. Though the temple is small the huge monolithic granite-made bull statue measuring about 15feet high and 21 feet long catches your attention with floral decorations and sculptural grandeur. No one knows about the sculptor who crafted this megalithic statue. But the temple was built in Dravidian style during the reign of Kempe Gowda (1513-1569), the founder of Bangalore city in 1537. The present temple tower was built in the early part of the 20^th century.

 Every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of Kartik masa (November month), a groundnut fair (Kadalekai Parishe) is held here as a token of gratitude to the mighty bull which is said to have saved the crops from the havoc done by cattle at that time. Every villager brings the first produce of their harvest to offer and worship the sacred bull. It was said that when the statue started growing every year, a devotee was told in a dream to place a trident on the head of the bull to stop its growing in size. One can see the silver trident placed across the horns of the bull. Just behind the bull statue the idols of the Sun God and Moon God are seen riding their chariots. With engraved ornaments and bells and large white painted borders around its eyes and with wreaths of garlands the statue looks very beautiful and grand.

Statue of a guard with a bugle

Steps to reach the watch tower

Statue of Sri D.V.G., the famous Kannada Poet and thinker

Mural portraits of famous personalities

 The Bugle Rock Park is adjacent to the Bull Temple. The Local ruler, Kempe Gowda II (erected four towers in four corners of the city to demarcate the extension of the city. One of the towers in south is located in this park on the top of a huge rock. In olden times a guard used to blow bugle or trumpet from this tower to alert the public about the safety of the city and to guard against intruders. As a tribute to Kempe Gowda II, the administration of Bangalore (BBMP) used a picture of  this watch tower as its logo. Recently a pillar at Hudson Circle near BBMP Office has a replica of the Watch Tower. In this park developed by the Horticultural department of the Government of Karnataka, there are many old rocks, streams and dense greenery with many monuments of great public figures like Kempe Gowda, D.V.Gundappa and Mokshagundam Visweswarayya, who dedicated their lives for the welfare and development of Karnataka state. Just like in Lal bagh gardens, here also one can see three million-old rocks in various shapes and structures.

 The famous Dodda Ganapthi temple is just 500 meters away  from the Bull Temple. So one can have the satisfaction of seeing two famous monolithic idols which are really the prestigious symbols of Bangalore. The Bull temple timings are 6.00mto 12.oo p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. and the entry is free.

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7th April, 2018                                                Somaseshu Gutala

                            

On visiting Lalbagh Gardens during Flower Show festival

Statue of Chamaraja Wodeyar at the entrance

Kempe Gowda's statue

Three thousand million old rock

Kempe Gowda Tower

Lalbagh is one of the most visited sight-seeing spots in Bangalore.  This famous Botanical garden was cultivated around the historic Kempe Gowda Tower built on a huge rocky hillock. This garden was laid out in 1760’s by Hyder Ali modeled on the pattern of Moghul Gardens in Sira laid out by the last Mughal SubhedarDilawar Khan (1726-1756). Tipu Sultan completed the expansion of the garden by importing many exotic trees and plants from Persia, Afghanistan and Paris. India’s first lawn-clock is seen at the entrance here. This garden apart from having a largest collection of tropical plants is surrounded by very big trees older than one hundred years of age.

Trees older than one hundred years

Japanese Decorative Monument

Site Plan of Lalbagh Gardens

Lalbagh Lake

Statue of Bahubali with floral backdrop

Statue of Lord Krishna facing his enemy

Wooden artefacts

Floral decorations in glass house

Floral art

In the initial stages this garden was spread over 45 acres but later had been extended to cover a larger area of 240 acres.  It has a very big lake and many kinds of birds like mynas, parakeets, kites, crows, moor hens and common egrets are sighted here. In 1860’s there used to be a menagerie with a few wild animals. The Lalbagh Rock, a natural hillock like formation, is said to be more than 3000 million years old. Another star attraction is the glass house constructed in 1898 by John Cameron adopting the design of the Crystal Palace in London.  There are four gateways to approach the garden. The Southern Gate is the main gate on Lalbagh Road and the Northern Gate leading to the Glass House is the exit gate. The Western Gate is near Siddapur Circle and the Eastern Gate is on Jaya Nagar Road.

 Every year flower shows are organized in this place on 15^th August and on 26^th January by the Department of Horticulture in collaboration with Mysore Horticultural Society.  This mega show attracts lakhs of visitors from India and abroad.  This year the theme of the 207th flower show is the celebration 15-foot high Bahubali statue on Indra Giri built with five lakhs of flowers of different kinds such as hypericum, lilies, wax flowers, Protea etc.  A bust of Bahu Bali made of millets is also on display stressing the nutritious value of millets. The floral figure of Lord Krishna facing his enemy is another example of floral decorative art. In previous flower shows the floral replicas of Mysore Palace, Gol Gumbaz (the famous dome in Bijapur) and the Red Fort were designed. Many flower beds filled with orchids, chrysanthemums, hibiscus flowers, asters, and lilies with cascading streams and pools create a colorful grand spectacle revealing the wonderful variety of the floral world. Many flowers and plants are trimmed in the shape of artistic vases and animals.

Bonsai Plant

Bonsai Plant

Cactus plants

 More than 500 varieties of Frigid Zone flowers form Sikkim and Darjeeling are also beautifully arranged in various patterns. Apart from this there is Bon Sai collection showing various miniature trees bearing fruits. In the Cactus plant collection a wide variety of desert plants are displayed. In the vegetable section many vegetable plants like pumpkin, brinjal, snake gourd and Ram Phal in various colors and sizes are seen. A separate exhibition of gardening tools, organic food products, plant fertilizers, flower pots, herbal and Ayurvedic medicines was also organized.

 All along the way to glass house a long row of stalls selling plastic decorative hangings, plastic flower pots, plastic flower bouquets and sprinklers are seen. Somehow this does not seem to fit in with the motive and message of this flower show which gives much importance to use of natural and organic products. At the entrance of the flower show some volunteers were seen showing placards against plastic pollution. The long line of stalls all kept at one place created a congested atmosphere and visitors have to push their way through narrow space.

 These stalls would have been kept at the entrance itself to avoid congestion and inconvenience to people on their way to glass house. The entry fee for adults is Rs.60/- and Rs.20/- for kids. To attract more people these rates may be slashed so that common people can also afford to make use of this rare opportunity. There is facilty for carrying elderly and disabled people in a battery-vehicle around up to glasshouse on payment of Rs.100/- per head.

Organic Vegetable Plants

                  

 Generally on other days this garden is open from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. For the sake of joggers and health enthusiasts free entry is provided from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. in the morning and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the evening. During other timings an amount of 20/- is charged as entry fee. On every second and fourth weekend days of the month, Jana Jatre is organized when folk dances, folk songs and plays are performed and many costumes and handicraft articles are held for sale. To educate public about preservation of nature, many courses on Ikebana, horticulture, mushroom and Bonsai cultivation are organized. In the Aquarium Museum many interesting models and illustrations concerned with fish and aquatic creatures are displayed. The wooden architecture in the middle of the garden is meant for musical orchestra. The Japanese decorative monument is another worth seeing spot. 

The Lalbagh Gardens is a famous center for scientific study and preservation of plants. At the same time it is a very attractive tourist spot with many kinds of flora and fauna located in the scenic surroundings with lotus pools, flower beds, huge trees and most primitive rocky hillock with the historic tower from where one can have a panoramic view of Bangalore.

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           28th March, 2018                                                Somaseshu Gutala

About Kadu Malleswara temple ( 15th Cross, Temple Road, Malleswaram), Bangalore

Temple Arch

Steps to reach temple

temple garden at the entrance

Inner sanctum

Kadu Malleswara Swamy

Brahmarambika

serpent stones at the entrance

Lord Subrahmanyeswara at the entrance

The name of the area where this temple is located is named after this temple as Malleswaram. This temple built in Dravidian style is seen just diagonally opposite to Nandi Theertha temple tank. Actually Nandi Theertha is considered as a part of Kadu Malleswara Swamy temple. This temple built on a high hillock was set up by Venkoji, step brother of Shivaji in 17^th century  (1669)when he came here with his minister Baji Rao peshwa. The word “Kadu” in Kannada means “Jungle”. As the surroundings are full of wild trees and shrubs, this temple is called “Kadu Malleswara temple. Venkoji  also built Narasimha Swamy temple seen at the foot of the hillock near Gangamma temple. In 1898 a devotee called Yale Mallappa Shetty renovated Kadu Malleswara temple. In 1981 the Government renovated Narasimha Swamy temple also.

 One has to climb nearly forty steps to reach the temple on the hillock. One finds many serpent stones and a huge serpent statue near the foot of the hillock. The surroundings look very attractive with green trees and plants. Near the entrance of the temple on the left side one can see a mandapa and the kitchen. The Vimana or gopuram of garbha gudi (inner sanctum) was built later in 1993.Recently a mukha mandapa (outer mandapa) was added. The idol of Kadu Malleswara is a tiny Shiva Linga with a pretty statue of Nandi in front outside the inner sanctum. On the back of the inner sanctum to the south,one can see deities of Dakshina Murty and Lord Subrahmanya and on the north, the statue of Chandikeswara. In the Mukha Mandapa the deities of Arthanareeswara, Kashi Viswanatha, Ganapati and Kalabhairava are seen. The navagraha platform is also seen on the other side. There is also Anjaneya temple with a bilwa tree seen behind it.

 In this temple one week-long special utsavas are celebrated during Maha Shiva ratri and special poojas are done during kartika month. The temple timings are from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. The nearby worthseeing  places are Nandi Theertha Kalyani temple, Narasimha Swamy temple, Gangamma Temple, Gayatri Temple, Vidya Ganapati Temple (W.Park Road), Eswar Temple (11^th Cross, Malleswaram), Sri Maha Ganapati Road (9^th Cross, E-Park Road) and Sankey Tank Lake.

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26th March, 2018                                                             Somaseshu Gutala