Fw: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Guruvayurappan temple in Bangalore

September 2, 2006

Hare Krishna,

Dear Sita,

First of all welcome to Bangalore.The garden city of India. lot of names it is famous for. if i would been in Bangalore i could have give you all the necessary guidelines.

Bangalore only the two mentioned are the Guruvayoorappan temples there. more Ayyappan temples are in Bangalore. Pl beware the Auto fellows they may try to cheat you. take the Meter reading auto. KTDC buses are available for daily Bangalore sight seeing also if take a Daily pass cost Rs. 30/ only (now i Think so) whole day you can travel any where in Bangalore on any bus except KSRTC.

Given some information you will be getting some idea.Also incase you need any Assistance pl Dial 233 33333 .it is Tele-information centre they will guide you all necessary information.

wishing you a nice Trip and enjoy the same.

With Love,

Sree

Bangalore has number of temples for those who have religious bent of mind. Some of these temples are very old and equally beautiful.

Venkataramanaswamy Temple

This temple is located adjoining to Tipu's summer palace. This 300-year old temple was, built by Maharajah Chikka Devaraya Wodiyar. It displays some of the best features of Dravidian temple art. The ornate stone pillars, supported by splendid lion brackets, still bear the imprint of the cannon balls, which ruined portions of the temple during the Third Mysore War (1790-1792). After the fall of Tipu in 1799, the Wodiyar dynasty restored the temple to its original grandeur. Maharajah Chikka Krishna Devaraya is said to have performed his thanksgiving puja at this temple before holding at Tipu's Palace in 1811. Bull Temple The Bull or Nandi temple is one of the oldest temple of Bangalore.It was built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian style. The temple has a giant bull 4.6 meters tall carved out of a single rock. The Bull temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's vahana(vehicle). The statue of Nandi is flanked at the back with statues of God Surya and Goddess Chandra on their chariots drawn by the horses. The bull has a small iron plate on its head to prevent it, as tradition says, from growing. It is a sculptural masterpiece. Weekends see musicians performing at the temple with devotees praying in large numbers. In Kannada, Basava means bull that gives the name Basavanagudi to the locality. ISKCON Temple

Located on the Hare Krishna Hill in Jaynagar, this temple was built at a cost of around 10 million dollars. There is a main temple hall that houses the altars of Lords Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra, Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai Gouranga. One can also see the golden chandelier that is shaped like an inverted lotus flower. It has the world's tallest gold plated Dwarjastambha (Flag post) 56 ft in height and the highest gold plated Kalash shikara at 28 ft .It has already become one of the most popular and sought after destinations in this region. The beautiful temple building and surroundings, the gorgeous deities of the Lord, and the pure spiritual atmosphere make the pilgrimage a lasting memory. Whitefield

This ashram is founded by Sri Satya Sai Baba.It lies 16 kms from Bangalore.Its peaceful and serene environment attract devotees from all over the world. Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

This unusual temple is natural monolith carved cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the 14 / 15 January every year a ray of light passes precisely through the horns of the Nandi bull and illuminates the deity inside. This unique phenomenon occurs every year on the Makar Sankranti day and attracts large number of devotees. The precision of the event displays the advanced technical and scientific knowledge of those who built the temple. The architecture of this temple combines 'Vastukala' with astronomy.

Shiva Statue

This 65-foot high statue depicts Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position with a backdrop of Mount Kailash with the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks. The statue is lit at night and looks really majestic.

Lord Someshwara Temple

This temple is also dedicated to lord Shiva. Kempegowda also built it at Ulsoor. Dharmaraja Temple The temple, housing two exceptionally fine images, one of Sri Dharmaraja Swami, the hero of the epic Mahabharata, and the other of Lord Krishna, is best known for its association with Bangalore's colourful Karaga festival. The Karaga, a symbol of Draupadi, is kept in the Dharmaraja temple. On the day of the festival, usually falling in March/April, it is carried in a procession, which starts at 02:00 hrs and returns 06:00 hrs after covering a distance of 20-25 kms. Only members of the Thegala community of gardeners may carry the deity on their shoulder. Interestingly, a visit to the dargha of the Sufi Saint Tawakkal mastan is a 'must' for this Hindu-oriented procession, which attracts people of all ages and religions by its earthy exuberance and hypnotic music. Kanyakaparameshwari Temple (Kumara Park)

The Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble Mandira highlighting murals of holy places and Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Bhagawada Gita , Rishis and Vasavi history.

Bangalore has number of temples for those who have religious bent of mind. Some of these temples are very old and equally beautiful.

Shri Bhoganandiswara Temple

This temple is located at the foothills of Nandi hills go back to the period of Cholas, Hoysalas and the Vijaynagara Kings. Lord Bhoganandiswara, Umamaheswara and Arunachaleswara are enshrined and worshiped here. The beauty of kalyanamandapa is eyecatching. Shri Yoganandiswara Temple atop the hill goes back to the Chola period. It received extensive patronage from the Vijaynagara Kings. Shri Chamundeswari Temple

This temple is built on the summit of 1062 meters Chamundi Hills .It has towering seven-storey 40m high gopuram. There are 1000 odd steps that devotees are supposed to climb to reach the temple. The view of the Mysore city is superb from the top. Shri Channakeshara Temple

This temple is located at Somnathpur 45 km from Mysore.It was built around 1200AD during the heydays of the Hoysala Kings. It is one of the most beautiful temples in India. The walls of the star-shaped temple are literally covered with sculptures depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita and the life and times of the Hoysala kings. Vishwashanti Ashram (25 kms) houses the tallest statue of Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. St.Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid

The temples of Belur and Halebid are the remnants of one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development. The sculptures depicted on these temples rival those only found on Khajuraho and Konarak.The Hoysaleswara temple of Halebid is an outstanding piece of Hoysala art and architecture. Every part of the temple is covered with endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds and scenes depicting the life and times of the Hoysala rulers. Halebid also has a smaller temple known, as Kedarswara.The Channekeshava Temple at Belur is the only one of the three Hoysala sites still used as a functioning temple. It has very delicately carved images of deities. The other lesser, Hoysala temples at Belur are Chennigaraya and Viranarayana. Sravanabelagola

This is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrimage centers in India and site of the huge 17 meter high statue of Lord Gomateshvara.It is said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue. It overlooks the town of Sravanabelagola from the top of the hill known as Indragiri.Lord Bahubali undergoes Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony every 12 years when thousands of pilgrims and devotees gather to witness it. The word Sravanabelagola means the monk on the top of the hill. It is a Digambara Jain shrine. There are also several very interesting Jain temples and Mathas both in the town and on chandragiri hill. The two of these the Bandhari Basti and the Akkana Basti are in the Hoysala style and a third Chandragupta Basti is believed to be built by Emperor Asoka

----- Forwarded Message ----Suresh <sureshguruvayur Sent: Saturday, 2 September, 2006 12:17:42 PMRE: [Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Guruvayurappan temple in Bangalore

Also there is a Guruvayoorappan temple at Sarjapur Road.

guruvayur@grou ps.com [guruvayur] On Behalf Of Hindu SherFriday, September 01, 2006 8:16 PMguruvayur@grou ps.comRe: [Guruvayur/Guruvayo or] Guruvayurappan temple in Bangalore

There is Guyuvayoor Appan Temple in West of Chord Road (Opp ISKCON TEMPLE) in BangaloreSita N <aakash_95 > wrote:

Dear AllI will be visiting bangalore next week. Kindly let meknow if there is guruvayurappan temple in bangalore.Krishna guruvayurappaSita--- Chandra Sekharan Menon<chandrasmenon2002@ > wrote:> > Dear Shri Balagopal, []> > Almost 2 weeks passed and there is no response to> this question how much> is enough.> > I do not know if there is any mention in Githa about> this but from a> learned person> > I heard there is mention of this in Manu sasthram.> One can keep upto 6> times of his> > income for himself and the rest to be donated to> those who are needy. In> Jnanapaana> > Shri Poonthanam describes

onnukittiyal patthakkan> moham, patthu kittiyal> > satham etc.. and the desire goes on. First one must> learn to control the> desire and live with what> > one gets and be content with that. That should be> enough for this time.> > Since you are in a different project we will discuss> this at a later> time> > Ohm Narayanaaya Namah> > Chandra Sekharan Menon> > > > > guruvayur@grou ps.com, balagopal> ramakrishnan <rbalpal >> wrote:> >> > HARI AUM> >> > Really a beautiful piece.> >> > Now let us ask this question-> > how much is enough.> > Who decides it.> > How to decide it.> > What does our Bhagavan say in

this regard in his> Gita.> >> > Looking forward towards some solid inputs from our> > members.> >> > Regards> >> > Balagopal> >> > NARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA> >> > --- Chandra Menon chandrasmenon2002@ ... wrote:> >> > > Dear Balagopal,> > > Thanks for opening a different forum to focus> our> > > attention and re-producing this knowldge of> > > Vidhyadhanam.> > > I learned one from neethisaram> > >> > > arthaanam Arjane dukham> > > Arjithananthu rakshaNe> > > Aye dukham, vyaye dukham> > > artha kim dukha bhajanam.> > > means> > > artha- money- to earn money one has to struggle> > > after earning struggle to keep it safe> > > income is problem, and spending is

dukham> > > money itself is a vessel of sorrows.> > > This does not mean we do not need money> > > but like Pakanaar earn just enough for our> needs.> > >> > > balagopal ramakrishnan rbalpal wrote:> > > HARI AUM> > >> > > Browsing thru the site:> > > http://sanskrit. gde.to/> > > referred by Shree Sabarish, came across this> popular> > > saying:"vidhyadhana m sarvadhanalpradhana m".> > >> > > The sloka says:> > > Na Chorahaaryam> > > Na Cha Rajahaaryam> > > Na Bhrathrubhajyam> > > Na Cha Bhaarakari> > > Vyaye Kruthe> > > Vardhatha Eva Nithyam> > > Vidhydhanam Sarvadhanal Pradhanam.> > >> > > The

word meaninga are:> > >> > > na chorahaaryaM It cannot be stolen> > > by thieves,> > > na cha raajahaaryaM Nor can it be taken> > > away by kings.> > > na bhraatR^ibhaajyaM It cannot be> > > divided among brothers> > > na cha bhaarakaari | It does not cause a> > > load on your shoulders.> > > vyaye kR^ite If spent..> > > vardhata eva nityam It indeed always> > > keeps growing.> > > vidyaadhanaM The wealth of> > > knowledge..> > > sarvadhanapradhaana M || Is the most> > > superior wealth of all!> > >> > > Listed in subhAShitaratnAkara H by> kR^iShNashastri> > > bhATavaDekara,> > > page 50 sh.4 as vidyAprasha. nsA. 1913. (1st line> > > variation chora or chaura).> > > Originally from

sabhAtara.ngiNii by bhAmini(not> > > confirmed).> > >> > > Regards> > >> > > Balagopal> > >> > > PS: Since knowledge grows as one spends> (spreads)it> > > more and more, let us all keep sharing our> knowledge> > > related to Bhagavan and all that will help a> person> > > to> > > move ahead in his pursuit of HIM.> > > Feel free to post your knowledge fearlessly in> this> > > forum without taking up on any one or group> > > personally.> > >> > > NARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA> > >> > >> > >> >>____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _> > > India Answers: Share what you know. Learn> > > something new> > > http://in.answers. /> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >> >> >> >> >>____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _> > India Answers: Share what you know. Learn> something new> > http://in.answers. /> >> > > "ANGER" is just one word short of "DANGER"Be Kool ^ Njoy Life!!!^-^Sita N^-^____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __ http://mail.

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September 3, 2006

Hare Krishna !

To add to the list of nice temples in Bangalore is :

(i) Venugopalaswamy temple, 11th Cross, Malleswaram -

what a fascinating deity of Lord Krishna. (If you

manage to take darshan of the Lord without His

kavacham / silver goLaka, nothing like it !!!!!!! -

this is only on very RARE occassions). This used to be

one of my frequent haunts when I was living in

Bangalore. The prasadam (pongal, sakkara pongal, rava

sheera, ksheeranna, puliyogare etc) here is of an

exquisite quality - taste is - truly out of the world

! (You may need to book the prasadam a day in advance)

Please visit:

http://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/heritage.htm

Here is a photo of Sri Venugopalaswami

http://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/venugopala.jpeg

http://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/pictures.htm

(ii) Udupi Krishna Temple at Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha,

This is a seat of learning for followers of

Madhwacharya - there is a gurukulam and a nice temple.

For more info, please visit

http://www.poornaprajnavidyapeetha.org

-sriram

================================

--- " sreedhar c.p " <sreepal20 wrote:

> Hare Krishna,

>

> Dear Sita,

>

> First of all welcome to Bangalore.The garden city of

> India. lot of names it is famous for. if i would

> been in Bangalore i could have give you all the

> necessary guidelines.

>

> Bangalore only the two mentioned are the

> Guruvayoorappan temples there. more Ayyappan temples

> are in Bangalore. Pl beware the Auto fellows they

> may try to cheat you. take the Meter reading auto.

> KTDC buses are available for daily Bangalore sight

> seeing also if take a Daily pass cost Rs. 30/ only

> (now i Think so) whole day you can travel any where

> in Bangalore on any bus except KSRTC.

>

> Given some information you will be getting some

> idea.Also incase you need any Assistance pl Dial 233

> 33333 .it is Tele-information centre they will guide

> you all necessary information.

>

> wishing you a nice Trip and enjoy the same.

>

> With Love,

> Sree

> Bangalore has number of temples for those who have

> religious bent of mind. Some of these temples are

> very old and equally beautiful.

> Venkataramanaswamy Temple

> This temple is located adjoining to Tipu's summer

> palace. This 300-year old temple was, built by

> Maharajah Chikka Devaraya Wodiyar. It displays some

> of the best features of Dravidian temple art. The

> ornate stone pillars, supported by splendid lion

> brackets, still bear the imprint of the cannon

> balls, which ruined portions of the temple during

> the Third Mysore War (1790-1792). After the fall of

> Tipu in 1799, the Wodiyar dynasty restored the

> temple to its original grandeur. Maharajah Chikka

> Krishna Devaraya is said to have performed his

> thanksgiving puja at this temple before holding at

> Tipu's Palace in 1811.

> Bull Temple

>

> The Bull or Nandi temple is one of the oldest temple

> of Bangalore.It was built by Kempegowda in the

> Dravidian style. The temple has a giant bull 4.6

> meters tall carved out of a single rock. The Bull

> temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's vahana(vehicle).

> The statue of Nandi is flanked at the back with

> statues of God Surya and Goddess Chandra on their

> chariots drawn by the horses. The bull has a small

> iron plate on its head to prevent it, as tradition

> says, from growing. It is a sculptural masterpiece.

> Weekends see musicians performing at the temple with

> devotees praying in large numbers. In Kannada,

> Basava means bull that gives the name Basavanagudi

> to the locality.

> ISKCON Temple

> Located on the Hare Krishna Hill in Jaynagar, this

> temple was built at a cost of around 10 million

> dollars. There is a main temple hall that houses the

> altars of Lords Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra, Sri

> Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai Gouranga. One can

> also see the golden chandelier that is shaped like

> an inverted lotus flower. It has the world's tallest

> gold plated Dwarjastambha (Flag post) 56 ft in

> height and the highest gold plated Kalash shikara at

> 28 ft .It has already become one of the most popular

> and sought after destinations in this region. The

> beautiful temple building and surroundings, the

> gorgeous deities of the Lord, and the pure spiritual

> atmosphere make the pilgrimage a lasting memory.

> Whitefield

> This ashram is founded by Sri Satya Sai Baba.It lies

> 16 kms from Bangalore.Its peaceful and serene

> environment attract devotees from all over the

> world.

> Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

> This unusual temple is natural monolith carved cave

> temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the 14 / 15

> January every year a ray of light passes precisely

> through the horns of the Nandi bull and illuminates

> the deity inside. This unique phenomenon occurs

> every year on the Makar Sankranti day and attracts

> large number of devotees. The precision of the event

> displays the advanced technical and scientific

> knowledge of those who built the temple. The

> architecture of this temple combines 'Vastukala'

> with astronomy.

>

> Shiva Statue

> This 65-foot high statue depicts Lord Shiva seated

> in Lotus position with a backdrop of Mount Kailash

> with the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks.

> The statue is lit at night and looks really

> majestic.

Lord Someshwara Temple

> This temple is also dedicated to lord Shiva.

> Kempegowda also built it at Ulsoor.

> Dharmaraja Temple

>

> The temple, housing two exceptionally fine images,

> one of Sri Dharmaraja Swami, the hero of the epic

> Mahabharata, and the other of Lord Krishna, is best

> known for its association with Bangalore's colourful

> Karaga festival. The Karaga, a symbol of Draupadi,

> is kept in the Dharmaraja temple. On the day of the

> festival, usually falling in March/April, it is

> carried in a procession, which starts at 02:00 hrs

> and returns 06:00 hrs after covering a distance of

> 20-25 kms. Only members of the Thegala community of

> gardeners may carry the deity on their shoulder.

> Interestingly, a visit to the dargha of the Sufi

> Saint Tawakkal mastan is a 'must' for this

> Hindu-oriented procession, which attracts people of

> all ages and religions by its earthy exuberance and

> hypnotic music.

> Kanyakaparameshwari Temple (Kumara Park)

> The Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble

> Mandira highlighting murals of holy places and

> Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Bhagawada

> Gita , Rishis and Vasavi history.

>

> Bangalore has number of temples for those who have

> religious bent of mind. Some of these temples are

> very old and equally beautiful.

> Shri Bhoganandiswara Temple

> This temple is located at the foothills of Nandi

> hills go back to the period of Cholas, Hoysalas and

> the Vijaynagara Kings. Lord Bhoganandiswara,

> Umamaheswara and Arunachaleswara are enshrined and

> worshiped here. The beauty of kalyanamandapa is

> eyecatching. Shri Yoganandiswara Temple atop the

> hill goes back to the Chola period. It received

> extensive patronage from the Vijaynagara Kings.

> Shri Chamundeswari Temple

> This temple is built on the summit of 1062 meters

> Chamundi Hills .It has towering seven-storey 40m

> high gopuram. There are 1000 odd steps that devotees

> are supposed to climb to reach the temple. The view

> of the Mysore city is superb from the top.

> Shri Channakeshara Temple

> This temple is located at Somnathpur 45 km from

> Mysore.It was built around 1200AD during the heydays

> of the Hoysala Kings. It is one of the most

> beautiful temples in India. The walls of the

> star-shaped temple are literally covered with

> sculptures depicting various scenes from the

> Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita and the life

> and times of the Hoysala kings. Vishwashanti Ashram

> (25 kms) houses the tallest statue of Vitthala, an

> incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

> St.Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid

> The temples of Belur and Halebid are the remnants of

> one of the most artistically exuberant periods of

> Hindu cultural development. The sculptures depicted

> on these temples rival those only found on Khajuraho

> and Konarak.The Hoysaleswara temple of Halebid is an

> outstanding piece of Hoysala art and architecture.

> Every part of the temple is covered with endless

> variety of Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds

> and scenes depicting the life and times of the

> Hoysala rulers. Halebid also has a smaller temple

> known, as Kedarswara.The Channekeshava Temple at

> Belur is the only one of the three Hoysala sites

> still used as a functioning temple. It has very

> delicately carved images of deities. The other

> lesser, Hoysala temples at Belur are Chennigaraya

> and Viranarayana.

> Sravanabelagola This is one of the oldest and most

> important Jain pilgrimage centers in India and site

> of the huge 17 meter high statue of Lord

> Gomateshvara.It is said to be the world's tallest

> monolithic statue. It overlooks the town of

> Sravanabelagola from the top of the hill known as

> Indragiri.Lord Bahubali undergoes

> Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony every 12 years when

> thousands of pilgrims and devotees gather to witness

> it. The word Sravanabelagola means the monk on the

> top of the hill. It is a Digambara Jain shrine.

> There are also several very interesting Jain temples

> and Mathas both in the town and on chandragiri hill.

> The two of these the Bandhari Basti and the Akkana

> Basti are in the Hoysala style and a third

> Chandragupta Basti is believed to be built by

> Emperor Asoka

>

=== message truncated ===

September 12, 2006

Jai Sreekrishna Dear Sreedharji and Sriramji Thank you for the information. God willing shall definitely plan a visit to Bangalore for visiting all these temples. Now that I have details about the temples, I can plan and enjoy the same much more Thanks and regards SyamalaSRIRAM SUBRAMANIAN <abheri wrote: Hare Krishna !To add to the list of nice temples in Bangalore is :(i)

Venugopalaswamy temple, 11th Cross, Malleswaram -what a fascinating deity of Lord Krishna. (If youmanage to take darshan of the Lord without Hiskavacham / silver goLaka, nothing like it !!!!!!! -this is only on very RARE occassions). This used to beone of my frequent haunts when I was living inBangalore. The prasadam (pongal, sakkara pongal, ravasheera, ksheeranna, puliyogare etc) here is of anexquisite quality - taste is - truly out of the world! (You may need to book the prasadam a day in advance)Please visit:http://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/heritage.htmHere is a photo of Sri Venugopalaswamihttp://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/venugopala.jpeghttp://www.geocities.com/srivenugopala/pictures.htm(ii) Udupi Krishna Temple at Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha,This is a seat of learning for followers ofMadhwacharya - there is a gurukulam and a nice temple.For more info, please visit http://www.poornaprajnavidyapeetha.org-sriram================================--- "sreedhar c.p" <sreepal20 > wrote:> Hare Krishna,> > Dear Sita,> > First of all welcome to Bangalore.The garden city of> India. lot of names it is famous for. if i would> been in Bangalore i could have give you all the> necessary guidelines. > > Bangalore only the two mentioned are the> Guruvayoorappan temples there. more

Ayyappan temples> are in Bangalore. Pl beware the Auto fellows they> may try to cheat you. take the Meter reading auto.> KTDC buses are available for daily Bangalore sight> seeing also if take a Daily pass cost Rs. 30/ only> (now i Think so) whole day you can travel any where> in Bangalore on any bus except KSRTC.> > Given some information you will be getting some> idea.Also incase you need any Assistance pl Dial 233> 33333 .it is Tele-information centre they will guide> you all necessary information.> > wishing you a nice Trip and enjoy the same.> > > With Love,> Sree> Bangalore has number of temples for those who have> religious bent of mind. Some of these temples are> very old and equally beautiful. > Venkataramanaswamy Temple> This temple is located adjoining to Tipu's summer> palace. This 300-year old temple

was, built by> Maharajah Chikka Devaraya Wodiyar. It displays some> of the best features of Dravidian temple art. The> ornate stone pillars, supported by splendid lion> brackets, still bear the imprint of the cannon> balls, which ruined portions of the temple during> the Third Mysore War (1790-1792). After the fall of> Tipu in 1799, the Wodiyar dynasty restored the> temple to its original grandeur. Maharajah Chikka> Krishna Devaraya is said to have performed his> thanksgiving puja at this temple before holding at> Tipu's Palace in 1811. > Bull Temple> > The Bull or Nandi temple is one of the oldest temple> of Bangalore.It was built by Kempegowda in the> Dravidian style. The temple has a giant bull 4.6> meters tall carved out of a single rock. The Bull> temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's vahana(vehicle).> The statue of Nandi is flanked

at the back with> statues of God Surya and Goddess Chandra on their> chariots drawn by the horses. The bull has a small> iron plate on its head to prevent it, as tradition> says, from growing. It is a sculptural masterpiece.> Weekends see musicians performing at the temple with> devotees praying in large numbers. In Kannada,> Basava means bull that gives the name Basavanagudi> to the locality. > ISKCON Temple > Located on the Hare Krishna Hill in Jaynagar, this> temple was built at a cost of around 10 million> dollars. There is a main temple hall that houses the> altars of Lords Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra, Sri> Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai Gouranga. One can> also see the golden chandelier that is shaped like> an inverted lotus flower. It has the world's tallest> gold plated Dwarjastambha (Flag post) 56 ft in> height and the highest gold plated

Kalash shikara at> 28 ft .It has already become one of the most popular> and sought after destinations in this region. The> beautiful temple building and surroundings, the> gorgeous deities of the Lord, and the pure spiritual> atmosphere make the pilgrimage a lasting memory. > Whitefield> This ashram is founded by Sri Satya Sai Baba.It lies> 16 kms from Bangalore.Its peaceful and serene> environment attract devotees from all over the> world. > Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple> This unusual temple is natural monolith carved cave> temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the 14 / 15> January every year a ray of light passes precisely> through the horns of the Nandi bull and illuminates> the deity inside. This unique phenomenon occurs> every year on the Makar Sankranti day and attracts> large number of devotees. The precision of the event> displays

the advanced technical and scientific> knowledge of those who built the temple. The> architecture of this temple combines 'Vastukala'> with astronomy.> > > > > Shiva Statue > This 65-foot high statue depicts Lord Shiva seated> in Lotus position with a backdrop of Mount Kailash> with the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks.> The statue is lit at night and looks really> majestic.> > > > > > > Lord Someshwara Temple> This temple is also dedicated to lord Shiva.> Kempegowda also built it at Ulsoor. > Dharmaraja Temple> > The temple, housing two exceptionally fine images,> one of Sri Dharmaraja Swami, the hero of the epic> Mahabharata, and the other of Lord Krishna, is best> known for its association with Bangalore's colourful> Karaga festival. The Karaga, a symbol of

Draupadi,> is kept in the Dharmaraja temple. On the day of the> festival, usually falling in March/April, it is> carried in a procession, which starts at 02:00 hrs> and returns 06:00 hrs after covering a distance of> 20-25 kms. Only members of the Thegala community of> gardeners may carry the deity on their shoulder.> Interestingly, a visit to the dargha of the Sufi> Saint Tawakkal mastan is a 'must' for this> Hindu-oriented procession, which attracts people of> all ages and religions by its earthy exuberance and> hypnotic music. > Kanyakaparameshwari Temple (Kumara Park)> The Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble> Mandira highlighting murals of holy places and> Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Bhagawada> Gita , Rishis and Vasavi history. > > > Bangalore has number of temples for those who have> religious bent of mind.

Some of these temples are> very old and equally beautiful. > Shri Bhoganandiswara Temple> This temple is located at the foothills of Nandi> hills go back to the period of Cholas, Hoysalas and> the Vijaynagara Kings. Lord Bhoganandiswara,> Umamaheswara and Arunachaleswara are enshrined and> worshiped here. The beauty of kalyanamandapa is> eyecatching. Shri Yoganandiswara Temple atop the> hill goes back to the Chola period. It received> extensive patronage from the Vijaynagara Kings. > Shri Chamundeswari Temple> This temple is built on the summit of 1062 meters> Chamundi Hills .It has towering seven-storey 40m> high gopuram. There are 1000 odd steps that devotees> are supposed to climb to reach the temple. The view> of the Mysore city is superb from the top. > Shri Channakeshara Temple> This temple is located at Somnathpur 45 km from> Mysore.It

was built around 1200AD during the heydays> of the Hoysala Kings. It is one of the most> beautiful temples in India. The walls of the> star-shaped temple are literally covered with> sculptures depicting various scenes from the> Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita and the life> and times of the Hoysala kings. Vishwashanti Ashram > (25 kms) houses the tallest statue of Vitthala, an> incarnation of Lord Vishnu. > St.Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid> The temples of Belur and Halebid are the remnants of> one of the most artistically exuberant periods of> Hindu cultural development. The sculptures depicted> on these temples rival those only found on Khajuraho> and Konarak.The Hoysaleswara temple of Halebid is an> outstanding piece of Hoysala art and architecture.> Every part of the temple is covered with endless> variety of Hindu deities, sages, animals and

birds> and scenes depicting the life and times of the> Hoysala rulers. Halebid also has a smaller temple> known, as Kedarswara.The Channekeshava Temple at> Belur is the only one of the three Hoysala sites> still used as a functioning temple. It has very> delicately carved images of deities. The other> lesser, Hoysala temples at Belur are Chennigaraya> and Viranarayana. > Sravanabelagola This is one of the oldest and most> important Jain pilgrimage centers in India and site> of the huge 17 meter high statue of Lord> Gomateshvara.It is said to be the world's tallest> monolithic statue. It overlooks the town of> Sravanabelagola from the top of the hill known as> Indragiri.Lord Bahubali undergoes> Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony every 12 years when> thousands of pilgrims and devotees gather to witness> it. The word Sravanabelagola means the monk on

the> top of the hill. It is a Digambara Jain shrine.> There are also several very interesting Jain temples> and Mathas both in the town and on chandragiri hill.> The two of these the Bandhari Basti and the Akkana> Basti are in the Hoysala style and a third> Chandragupta Basti is believed to be built by> Emperor Asoka> > === message truncated ===

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