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| Bull Temple |
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History
The Bull Temple also known as Dodda Basavana Gudi in Bangalore is dedicated to the scared Nandi Bull, which according to the Hindu mythology was used by Lord Shiva as his vahana (vehicle). One of the oldest temples in the city this Bull Temple was built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda in the Vijayanagara architectural style and is situated in Basavanagudi.
The huge idol of the Nandi Bull is placed inside the Temple premises that measures about 4.5 metre in height and 6.5 metre in length. The idol is said to be carved out of a single granite rock and has iron plates placed on its head. The idols of God Surya and Goddess Chandra on their chariots provide a great backdrop to this idol.
As per the legend goes the Bull Temple was built to appease a bull that used to destroy all the cultivated farms in this area. After the temple was built the bull stopped damaging the crops and to celebrate the incident the farmers of Basavanagudi organized a Groundnut Fair popularly known as Kadalekai Parase, near the Bull Temple. This fair continues till date and is held each year during the Hindu month of Karthika Maasa (October/November). Devotees, groundnut sellers and farmers throng the Temple to attend the fair and offer groundnut to the deity, Nandi.
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Best time to visit
You can visit the Temple during anytime of the year but if you are keen on attending the Groundnut Fair then the best time to visit is during the month of October/November.
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Trivia
The iron plates placed on the head of the Nandi idol is believed to prevent the bull from growing.
The word ‘Nandi’ means joyful in the Sanskrit language.
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Timing
The Bull Temple is open from 6:00 am till 8:00 pm.
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Travel Tools
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