Bull Temple Bangalore – One of the most famous nandi temple in the world

The Bull Temple, also known as Nandi Temple and Dodda Basavana Gudi, is one of Bangalore’s most notable and oldest temples.

It is named after Nandi, the sacred bull who is worshipped as a Hindu Demi-God and Lord Shiva’s vehicle or mount.

The main draw here is a massive figure of Nandi carved out of a granite monolith.

This 16th-century temple earns a spot on your Bangalore itinerary as a holy monument that draws both devout and tourists.

Bull Temple Bangalore History

The Bull Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples in Bangalore, dates back to the Vijayanagara Empire.

It was built in 1537 by Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempe Gowda, often known as Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bangalore.

Because the temple is solely dedicated to Nandi worship, it became known as the Bull Temple and Nandi Temple.

Because the Kannada term for bull is basava, the temple is also known as Dodda Basavana Gudi, which translates to “Big Bull Temple.”

The architecture of Bull temple at bangalore

The temple was built during the time of the Kempe Gowdas and is in the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

The temple is a tiny edifice in compared to the gigantic Nandi statue. It contains only one shrine with a porch attached to it, which is common in temples built in this architectural style.

The temple’s current tower is a relatively new addition to the construction. It was built in the early twentieth century and incorporates Shaivism-related elements.

The main attraction here is the Nandi statue, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The idol is approximately 20 feet long and 15 feet high, and is fashioned of a single granite rock.

It is situated on a plinth and is flanked by a Shiva Lingam. Aside from them, the temple contains idols of the Sun God (Surya) and the Moon God (Chandra).

Today, the Bull Temple is a popular tourist destination for all types of visitors and one of India’s must-see temples.

It is housed within Bugle Rock Park, a lovely green park with a large rock feature.

Another historic and well-known temple in the city, Dodda Ganesha Temple, also known as Dodda Ganapati Temple, is located in the same park, immediately adjacent to the Bull Temple.

While the temple receives a large number of tourists throughout the year, the number of visitors skyrockets during the annual Groundnut Fair and Ugadi celebration.

Kadalekai Parishe

The Groundnut Fair, also known as the Kadalekai Parishe, is an annual fair held on the final Monday and Tuesday of the Kartik month (October-November).

During the fair, farmers from Karnataka and other states bring their first groundnut harvest to Nandi and seek his blessings.

They then go on to market their wares at the two-day fair.

People crowd around the temple to buy a variety of crispy groundnuts, including spiced, boiled, salted, fried, sugar-coated, and honey-roasted types.

There are also countless stalls offering a variety of products such as toys, street food, clay-made idols, trinkets, and so on.

This is the greatest time to visit Bangalore if you want to soak in carnival-like vibes and eat some locally produced groundnuts.

What to see during a visit to Bull temple bngalore

1. The gigantic monolithic statue of Nandi, the Shiva Lingam behind it, and the Sun and Moon God idols in the temple.
2. The Bugle Rock Park is a garden with natural rock formations that date back millennia. It has many trees, well-paved walking routes, and a water tank with murals of Karnataka’s prominent characters such as Kempe Gowda, Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya, and D.V Gundappa. The densely forested garden is also home to a big number of fruit bats.
3. The Bugle boulder is a large boulder estimated to be 3000 million years old. It is one of the most popular attractions of Bugle Rock Park. The watchtower erected on the cliff provides stunning views of the city.
4. Another important temple is the Godda Ganesh Temple, also known as the Dodda Ganapati Temple. This temple is located next to the big bull temple and is also a must visit if you are visiting Bengaluru.

Little known facts about Bull temple

The temple’s Nandi statue was originally a greyish building. However, it has turned black over the years due to the devotees’ constant application of coconut milk and butter.

According to an inscription unearthed inside the Bull Temple, the Vrishabhavathi River, which flows to the western section of Bangalore, originates in a spring beneath the Nandi statue.

According to legend, the land where the temple now stands was formerly a huge peanut field. When a wild bull began destroying crops in the region, farmers banded together to stop it, sparking a brawl.

During the struggle, a farmer accidentally smacked the bull on the head with a stick, and the bull quickly transformed into a statue that grew larger with each passing day.

The terrified farmers prayed to Lord Shiva, who responded by placing a metal plate on the statue’s head and halting its growth.

Places to see near Bull temple

Sri Govardhana Temple	200 meters
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple	1 Km
Lalbagh Botanical Garden	2 Km
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace	3 Km
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace	3 Km
Cubbon Park	4 Km
Venkatappa Art Gallery	5 Km
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum	5 Km
The Government Museum	5 Km
Banashankari Temple	6 Km
Vidhan Soudha	6 Km
Bangalore Palace	10 Km

After visiting the temple and the Bugle Rock Park, make your way to Vidyarthi Bhavan, one of Bangalore’s most famous restaurants.

It’s around 700 metres from the temple, so you can round up your visit with their distinctive Masala Dosa and a cup of filter coffee.

Bull temple Bangalore timings

Monday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Tuesday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Wednesday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Thursday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Friday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Sunday	6:00 am to 12:00 noon / 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Nearest bus stop to bull temple bangalore

Bull Temple (280 meters by walk)

Nearest mtero station to bull temple bagalore

Lalbagh (2 km) and National College (2 km) on the Green Line

Bangalore City Railway Station	5 Km
Cantonment Railway Station	10 Km
Yeshwantpur Junction	11 Km
Kempegowda International Airport	40 Km