Temples

Bull Temple
One of the oldest temples in the city, Bull temple built by Kempegowda, draws devotees from all over the country. This 16th century typical Dravidian style temple dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva, is situated in Basavanagudi. The 4.5m tall and 6m long mammoth, monolithic bull carved out of a single granite rock here is supposed to be older than the temple itself. The original colour of the Nandi bull was grey which has now turned black due to the application of coconut oil by the devotees. The bull has a trident (small iron plate) on its forehead. According to the legend, this is kept to prevent the growing of the stone statue of the bull.

Every year during the month of November/ December, a festival to celebrate the harvesting of peanuts (Kadalekayi parishe) is held here. On that occasion, farmers offer their first groundnuts to the sacred bull. 

ISKCON Temple
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Temple Complex, located on the Hare Krishna Hill in Jayanagar, is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Bangalore. Sri Radha Krishna temple which is an exquisite blend of Dravidian and modern temple architecture and cultural complex is set on a seven-acre hillock. The main temple hall houses the altars of Lords Sri Radha Krishna- Chandra, Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai Gouranga. The temples has towering gopurams, gold chandeliers shaped like an inverted lotus flower, delicately crafted woodwork and sculptures. There is a unique open air amphitheatre for concerts and festivals. The complex has many modern facilities and the main attraction here is the multi-vision Vedic theatre. This marvelous building structure also provides good accommodation facilities.

Contact : 
ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra Temple,
Hare Krishna Hill,
Chord Road, Bangalore 560010
Phone : 80 23471956, 23578346
Fax : 080 23578625
E-mail : manjunath36@iskconbangalore.org

Shiva Temple
Located on Airport road, behind the famous Kemp Fort is the Shiva temple with a massive concrete idol of Lord Shiva. The 65 feet tall statue, built in 1995, portrayed Shiva in the position of Padmasan (lotus position). It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash the Lord's heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks as depicted in mythology. The statue looks majestic during the night with its lighting. On occasions such as Mahashivratri, Holi, etc. special pooja's are offered and during Shivaratri, a grand festival is held here. It is believed that dropping a coin in the pond in front of the idol by chanting 'Om Nama Shivaya' 7 times with a lighted candle fulfills one's wishes. A holy cave is located behind the idol and the cave yatra traditionally called Amarnath yatra, open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm attracts huge crowds.

Dharmaraya Temple
Dharmaraya temple, known for Bangalore's colourful Karaga festival, is located in Nagarathpet. The temple dedicated to Sri Dharmaraja Swami, the hero of the epic Mahabharata houses the fine images of the deity itself and Lord Krishna.

Venkataramanaswamy Temple
The 300 year old Venkataramanaswamy Temple built by Maharaja Chikkadevaraya Wodeyar is located adjacent to Tipu Sultan's summer palace. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has some interesting carvings, figures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on the walls and an idol of Venkatarama in the sanctorum. 

Gavi Gangadhareswara Temple
This ancient monolith carved cave temple is located around 3 km from the city market on Bull Temple Road. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, the temple built by Kempe Gowda in the 9th century, is inside a natural cave in Gavipuram. It is said that among the two paths inside the cave, one leads to the temple town Shivaganga in Tumkur district and another to Kashi. Apart from the main idol, it also houses idols of Durga, Parvathi, Shakti Ganapathi and a rare idol of Agnimurthi.

Every year on Makar Sankranti Day, the temple witnesses a unique phenomenon that attracts thousands of devotees. On that day, at a particular moment in the evening, sun's rays passes between the horns of the stone Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, thereby illuminating the Gavi Ganagadareshwara idol (Shiva Linga) inside.

Someshwara Temple
Someshwara Temple, one of the biggest and ancient temples in Bangalore, located at Ulsoor was built by the kings of Chola dynasty. Apart from the main deity Lord Shiva, the other two deities of Trimurthies. i.e Brahma and Vishnu are also worshipped here. The temple also houses the deities of Kamakshamma, Arunachaleswara, Bhimeswara, Nanjundeswara and Panchalingeswara. The temple architecture is a mixture of Hoysala, Chola and Vijayanagara with multiple pillars and scriptures inscribed on the walls.

Banashankari Temple
Located near the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus-stand on Kanakapura Road, is the popular Banashankari temple dedicated to goddess Banashankari Amma. Devotees believe that the deity will eliminate all hardships and poverty, when she is worshipped during Rahukla, an inauspicious time according to the Hindu belief. The temple was built in 1915 by Somanna Shetty, a devotee. Though it is opened on all days, special pujas with deeparaadhana are offered on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays which throng thousands of devotees. The temple witnesses three major festivals like Banashankari Utsav on September 13, Dasara in October and the temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa (December/ January).

Dodda Ganesha Temple
Dodda Ganesha Temple situated on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi has a huge monolithic statue of Ganapathi which is about 18ft height and 16ft width. Also known as Shakthi Ganapathi and Satya Ganapathi, this idol of Ganesh is believed to be growing on its right side. The main offering to the deity is butter, and daily more than 100 kgs of butter is used of this purpose. The deity is also occasionally anointed with fruits, vegetables, turmeric and kumkum powder.

Churches

St Mary's Basilica
St. Mary's Basilica, one of the oldest churches in Bangalore, is situated opposite the Russel Market Square in Shivajinagar. Originally it was a small chapel built by the French missionary, Abbe Dubois in 1818 and was called 'Kaanike Mathe Devaalaya' (Our Lady of Presentation). The church's present ornate Gothic style structure was built in 1882 by Rev. L.E.Kleiner and the Blessed Mother Mary enshrined here was called 'Arogya Mathe' (Our Lady of good health). The interior of the church is splendid with decorated stained-glass windows from Europe, multiple columns with rich Corinthian capital supporting stately arches. The church was elevated to the status of a Basilica in 1973. Every year on September 8th, crowds clad in saffron clothes gather here to celebrate the feast of the Virgin Mary. As a part of the feast, an annual car procession is also held here.

Contact : 
St. Mary's Basilica
Shivajinagar, Bangalore-560051
Phone : 080-22868627/ 28, 22865434

Infant Jesus Shrine
Infant Jesus church situated in Viveknagar is one among the oldest and famed churches in Bangalore thronged by thousands of devotees from all castes. The shrine, which has a long history of sacrifice and devotion, was built in 1979. Later a new church adjacent to the old shrine was inaugurated and opened for devotees on June 9th, 2005. The new church has a fan shaped hall and the interior is designed in such a way that wherever people are seated, they will feel that the altar is facing them. It also has provisions for basement parking, a ramp and lifts, so that people can easily reach the podium.

The devotion to Infant Jesus has become widespread and the shrine is known as a place for miracles and divine solace. Devotees arrive here for Novena's held every Thursday to experience the amazing power of Infant Jesus.

Contact : 
Infant Jesus Shrine
Post Box. 4712, Viveknagar
Bangalore - 560047
Phone : 080-25301206

St Mark's Cathedral
St. Mark's Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Church under the governing body of the Church of South India (CSI) is situated on Mahatma Gandhi Road. Founded in 1808 and completed in 1812, the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta in 1816. Modelled on St. Paul’s Cathedral of the 17th century and built in a beautiful colonial structure, the church is having an elegant dome over a semicircular chamber. It was rebuilt in 1927 and the new structure is known for its stained glass work. The notable features of the church are the well maintained external bells and Roman archers along the walls. Its entrance has elaborate woodwork and ornate carvings coupled with majestically done ceilings and domes.

Contact : 
St. Mark's Cathedral
1, M.G.Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Phone: +91-80-2221 4021 / 2221 3633

Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church, regarded as the largest military or garrison church in Southern India, is a historical landmark of Bangalore. Located east of the Parade Grounds and Richmond Road towards the Cavalry Barracks, it was built in 1848-51 for the British Regiment stationed in Bangalore. After Independence, the church was taken over by the Christian Indian Military personnel and became part of the Church of South India (CSI). Now it is under the Karnataka Central Diocese.

Holy Trinity church is a majestic piece of architectural grandeur. The walls are lined with ornate marble murals and tablets. The wooden carved pairs of angels on the roof above the choir pews and the altar, baptismal pond at the entrance, stained glass which depicts the baptism of Jesus in splendid colour are worth seeing.

Mosques

Jumma Masjid
Jumma Masjid earlier known as Sangian Jamia Masjid, is the oldest mosque in the city. It is located in the busy market area (K.R.Market) on old poor house road. The elevated prayer hall in the mosque is adorned with tall ornamental granite pillars. This imposing brick and mortar structure with ornate jali-work and floral motifs in plaster on the facade was built in 1790. During the festivals, the minars and the whole mosque is adorned with lights which adds to the beauty of the place.

Jamia Masjid
The five storeyed massive mosque Jamia Masjid was built in 1940. Situated near city market, the mosque dazzles in the sun with its exterior of pristine white marble. The balconies of Jamia Masjid is elegantly decorated with jali work. 

Dargah
Dargah is the grave of a Muslim ascetic, where people burn incense and pray. There are numerous dargahs within the city which attracts both Muslim and non Muslim pilgrims. 

Dargah of Sufi saint Hazarat Tawakkal Mastan in Cottonpet is associated with the Karaga festival. It has became a tradition that the Karaga procession always stops at the dargah to pay respect before proceeding to the Dharmaraya temple. An annual urs is celebrated here on April 22.

The Dargah of Saint Hazarat Syed Chanchal Shah Kadri Rahamud Ulla Alaye situated on the cross road of Queens road was built around 150 years ago. It is believed that one's wishes will be fulfilled by praying here. Thousands of people visit this dargah every year especially four days before Id Milad, when a grand function is held here. Open from 6am to 10 pm. There are no restrictions for entry at the dargah.