This bustling and delightful city, situated at an altitude of about 1000 meters, was founded by Vijayanagar chieftain Kempe Gowda. He established four towers around the outer limits. These are still seen on Bellary Road, at Lalbagh, Ulsoor and Gavi Gangadhareswara Temple at Gavipuram. The people of modern Bangalore still retain their traditions and values. Temples continue to be major centers of religious, social and cultural activities.
Gavi Gangadhareswara Temple: According to legends Sage Gautama had worshipped Lord Shiva in this cave temple. The sanctum facing south, which is a rare feature, is flanked by the shrines of Devi Parvati and Durga. The images of Shanmukha and Ayyappa and those of Chandra, Surya and Bhairava are exquisitely carved. In the front yard, there are stone monoliths of sun and moon discs.
On Makara Sankranti evening, the sun`s rays pass through the horns of the Nandi briefly to fall on the Lingam.
Veeranjaneya Temple: It is situated at a gradient about a kilometer from this shrine. Atop, there is a huge statue of Rama embracing Hanuman. The temple offers a panoramic view of the suburbs below.
Bull Temple: In Kannada, `Basava` means bull, which gives the name Basavanagudi to the locality. The temple has a giant bull (4.6 meters tall) that has been carved out of a single boulder. It is a sculptural masterpiece.
An annual Groundnut Fair is held here during November-December. Dodda Ganapati, a magnificent image of the Lord, is enshrined adjacent to the Bull temple. Near this temple the pilgrims will also come across Karanji Anjaneya Temple.
Prasanna Veeranjaneya Temple: It is on a hillock at Raagi Gudda in Jayanagar IX Block. Enshrined here are Lord Shiva and Rama. At the foothill there are shrines for Vinayaka, Navagrahas and Rajarajeshwari. Hanumat Jayanti and Ramanavami are celebrated with lot of pomp.
Devagiri Varaprada Sri Venkateshwara Temple: Suburban Banashankari Stage is identified with this famous Balaji temple. An attractive gopuram beckons the visitors. The image of Lord Balaji appears to be a replica of the idol at Tirumala. Vinayaka and Alamelumanga Thayar are enshrined on either side of the sanctum. Navagrahas and Hanuman have separate shrines.
Vaikunta Ekadasi and Saturdays attract a large number of devotees. Thirukalyana Seva is an important offering.
Banashankari Temple: The shrine of the goddess at the southern limits of Bangalore is much sought after by devotees. The deity is seen mounted on a lion, her `vahana.` Hundreds of people congregate here for the Raahukaala puja on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Srinivasa Prasanna Venkataramanaswamy Temple: The Wodeyar rulers built this Vishnu temple nearly 300 years ago. It is situated near Tipu Sultan`s Summer Palace.
Sri Dharmarayaswamy Temple: It is a Dravidian style shrine situated at Nagarathpet. There are 3 towers. In the sanctum, Dharmaraya, Krishna, Arjuna, Draupadi and Bhima are worshipped. Karaga festival is celebrated during March-April. Karaga, an earthen pot symbolising Shakti, is taken out in a spectacular procession to the Sampangi Tank on the night of Chaitra Poornima.
Other shrines at Bangalore include Sri Subramanya and Devi Kanyaka Parameswari temples at Sajjan Rao Circle, Kaadu Mallikarjunaswamy and Venugopala Krishnaswamy shrines at Malleswaram; Someshwara and Subramanya temples at Ulsoor; Chinmaya Mission`s Sri Krishna temple at Indirangar, ISKCON`s Sri Radha Krishnachandra temple at Magadi Road and Sri Anjaneya temples at Mahalakshmi Layout and Banaswadi.
