Bangalore Temple Tour

If you want to explore the Religious side of Silicon India,then a visit to these temples is sure to soothen your nerves. Bangalore,the silicon valley of India is also the home to numerous temples and historical places.

Last weekend we set out on a temple tour of the city. Our first destination was the Ragigudda temple in the 9th block,Jayanagar locality of Bangalore. From a small idol on a hilltop,this temple has grown since 30 years and is now a popular tourist attraction. There are several idols and photography like most other Indian temple is not allowed in these premises. Spending an evening here after the lights are on and fountains spring up, can be a relaxing experience.

Our next destination was the Rajarajeshwari temple,located on the Bangalore-Mysore road.However as we reached there in the afternoon the temple was closed and would reopen only at 4pm in the evening.So,we just saw it from outside.However,as told by our guide it is one the masterpiece amongst the temples of Bangalore and is an excellent piece of Dravidian architecture.

Next we stopped at the Hanuman or Maruthi temple just opposite the ISKCON temple. There are huge idols of Hanuman and Mahalakshmi cut on the rocks of a hill. There are also some small shops in the campus selling religious Cd's,idols of Gods and Goddesses,key chains,etc which can be a good souvenir.

Finally we reached our main destination of the day,the much famed ISKCON temple also known as the Radha Krishna temple atop a hill in Rajajinagar.The huge temple complex is a blend of modern architecture and spirituality. As it was a weekend,there was a heavy rush and we had to be in a long Que for hours. However,once u step into the temple and start chanting the prayers at every step ,you forget all pain. Bhog or prasad is served to one and all and you can also relish various vegetarian food in the temple complex.Not to forget the numerous shops lined downstairs where u can buy various idols,decorative pieces,sweets,cakes,calendars,key chains and the holy Bhagavad Gita in various languages.

Our next day was reserved for a trip to the Kotilingeshwar temple in Kammassandra in the outskirts of the Bangalore city near Kolar,the place famous for its gold fields.The journey took us two and a half hours as the road was mostly under construction. But the scenery was beautiful with rocks and hills on both sides. On our way before we left the Bangalore city we also took a stop at the Hanuman temple near Agara with a huge idol of the Hanuman and a stop at the Sai Baba Ashram(Brindavan) in Whitefield,the summer abode of Sai Baba, where entry with shoes,cameras,mobile phones,handbags ,etc was not allowed.
The Shiva linga at kotilingeshwar temple is recognised at the highest in the world and there are millions of shiva lingas in the temple premises. One can donate a linga too.There are numerous temples where one can offer prayers with flowers and incense ,etc available outside the campus and a minimum entrance fees of Rs5 is charged per person. The clean premises is a sure shot peaceful retreat.If you wish ur dream to come true,don't forget to tie the special yellow thread with a piece of turmeric around the scared tree and don't forget to bring back home a shiva linga available in various materials. However,make sure you carry something to eat as there are not many good eating joints on the way except a cafe coffee day outlet and a few roadside dhabas.

Till I come back with more posts, enjoy the pictures taken during our trip.