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Shree Dodda Basavanna Temple

Overview


So Dodda Badavanna temple is situated at Basavanagudi, a southern part of Bangalore, Karnataka. The temple wad built by Sri Kempe Gowda in the year 1537. The temple is dedicated to Basava (bull god).


About the Temple


Vrishaba is known as Basava in Karnataka. The worship of this sacred bull is associated with Pashupati, the lord of creatures, one of the numerous epithets of Siva in the Vedas and the Agamas. However, there is a slight difference between these three forms of bulls. Nandi is an important adjunct in all Saiva temple containing the Linga. He is a considered a sober form of the bull. Rig Veda describes Vrisabha as Rudra, a tempestuous god needing much supplication to humour him into a good temper. Basava too symbolizes immense strength and male virility indicating fertility. He is also a highly revered deity among the farmers in that region. It is very rare to find an entire temple primarily dedicated to Basaava. One such unique shrine is the Dodda Basavanna temple at Bangalore.

This Basava temple is one of the oldest temples of Bangalore and is located on top of the Bugle Rock Hill in Basavanahalli or Sunkenahalli. This locality is now known by the name Basavanagudi. The Bull temple road and Basavanagudi gets their name after this majestic temple that can be reached by climbing a few rugged steps from the left side of Dodda Ganapathi Temple, situated at the foot of the hill.

Sri Kempe Gowda is believed to have built this Dodda Basavanna temple, around the monolithic sculpture of Basava, that once stood in the open field. He is also said to have made several grants for its worship and maintenance. There is an Kannada inscription on the pedestal that explains the glory of this temple. The last line of this inscription says that "At the foot of this Basavesvara, the river Vrishabhavati originates and is flowing westwards". This line again asserts the link between Vrishabha and Basava. Interestingly, water is said to ooze out from the right leg of his sacred bull, on the last Monday of the Karthika month. This confirms the contents of the inscription.

The temple has a spacious Prakara with a kalyani at the back. The Dwajasthamba is seen in front of the temple with fine relief work on all the four sides. The temple has a magestic Raja Gopuram (main tower) and a very tall Mahadvara. The Garbhagriha (sanctum) has a eight stoned pillars and houses a huge sculpture of Basava in a crouching position. A narrow circumambulatory path, surrounds the image of Basava with a small Linga present at the back. A wooden beam across the neck portion of Basava facilitates conducting abhishekas. There is a beautifully carved Uma Mahesvara , Tumburu, Narada and Nandi in the center.

The Dodda Basava temple is well known for a popular fair called name kadalekai parishe (groundnut fair) held every year in the month of November. According to tales, bulls charged into the surrounding groundnut fields around Basavanagudi, causing heavy loss of crop. The distraught farmers then prayed Basava to put an end to this and also agreed to offer their first crop of the year to Basava as a return favour. This fair is held annually commemorating the above mentioned event, which is one of the largest fairs held at Bangalore. Framers actively participate in this festival celebration in large numbers. Other than this, Sivarathri and Baasava Jayanthi are the other major festivals celebrated here.


Festivals


The most important festival celebrated here is the Kadalekai parishe.


How To Reach Shree Dodda Basavanna Temple

Road

The nearest bus stop is the NR Colony.


Railways

The nearest railhead is Vani Vilasa Road office railway station.


Airport

The closest airport is the Bangalore airport.


Temple Address


Shree Dodda Basavanna Temple,
Bull Temple Rd, NR Colony,
Basavanagudi, Bengaluru,
Karnataka - 560004.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge
Shlokas

Balam Balavatam Caham Kamaragavivarjitam Dharmaviruddho Bhutesu Kamo'smi Bharatarsabha

Meaning -According to this sloka, God is the isolated and aloof strength of the controlling and virtuous craving in men.

Ye Caiva Sattvika Bhava Rajasastamasasca Ye Matta Everti Tanviddhi Na Tvaham Tesu Temayi

Meaning -According to this sloka, though the only source of satva, rajas and tamas (good, obsessive and dark) elements is God, they are not present within the God or the deity.

Tribhirgunamayairbhavairebhih Sarvamidam Jagat Mohitam Nabhijanati Mamebhyah Paramavyayam

Meaning -According to this sloka, the entire world doesn't recognize the eternal God beyond them, because they are consumed by the elements of satva, rajas and tamas (good, obssessive and dark).

Daivi Hyesa Gunamayi Mama Maya Duratyaya Mameva Ye Prapadyante Mayametam Taranti Te

Meaning -According to this sloka, the heavenly maya of God is very complicated, but those who worship God will be able to overcome it.

Timings

The temple is open From 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. And 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Weather in Basavanagudi
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