Bull Temple

The Bull Temple, locally known as Dodda Basavana Gudi, is a historic Hindu temple located in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, it is dedicated to Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its massive monolithic Nandi statue, about 4.57 meters high and 6.10 meters long, carved from a single granite rock. Built in Dravidian style on Bugle Rock hill, it is a major cultural and religious landmark.

Visitors can expect a traditional South Indian temple complex on a rocky hillock in Basavanagudi. The main attraction is the enormous monolithic Nandi bull statue housed in the sanctum under a pillared hall, with Dravidian-style vimana and stone pillars. The temple courtyard offers views of Bugle Rock Park surroundings. Visitors can observe daily worship rituals, explore the temple architecture, and visit the adjacent Dodda Ganapathi Temple within the same complex.

Built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, in Dravidian architectural style. The temple houses a monolithic Nandi statue carved from a single granite boulder, traditionally believed to have been growing in size, prompting farmers to build the temple to appease it. It is one of the oldest temples in Bengaluru and represents early city history.

Dedicated to Nandi, the sacred bull and vehicle of Lord Shiva, and an important Shaivite shrine. The temple is central to the annual Kadalekai Parishe, a traditional groundnut fair held in November-December where farmers offer their first groundnut harvest to Nandi. It remains an active place of worship and a symbol of Bengaluru's cultural heritage.