The Bull Temple is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have always held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
This temple built by Kempe Gowda, is at Basavanagudi in Bangalore at the top of a hill. One can take a taxi to the temple or brave a good walk up the hill.
In the shrine atop the hill, is a massive garlanded black and shiny Nandi, Shiva's mount, the bull. It dates back to 1786. It is 5mts in height and over 6 mts in length. The size of the Nandi is overwhelming. At the back is a small Lingam shrine. The underground "Sri-Gavi Gandadhareshwara Temple" is equally fascinating, where on every January 14th (Makara Sankranti) they say, a ray of light passes between the horns of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol kept inside.
Three levels of excavations have been carried out in the cave. One can see the black stone Hanuman, here. On the way to the Bull Temple one comes across a temple dedicated to the Elephant God Ganesha. The Bull temple is a buzz with great activity during the Shivratri festival. Local festival Kadalekaye Parishe (Ground nut fair) at the Bull Temple includes a groundnut eating festival. The farmers offer their first harvest collection to Nandi (November-December).
Timings: Entry to the temple is free and the daily timings are from 6a.m. to 8 p.m.
