Halasuru (Ulsoor) Someshwara Temple (Bangalore - Karnataka)

I can't believe, I haven't done a single post yet on Bangaluru (Bangalore)!!! Yes, I have done a few places easily reachable from Bangalore, but then, this is gonna be my first post on the heart of Bangalore. 

HALASURU aka ULSOOR
During my last trip to Bangalore, I had some work near the MG Road and pretty near to it was this place called Ulsoor or Halasuru. One mistake I did was to try to walk upto Ulsoor from MG Road. It was just 3 kms and I would have easily walked it up. But why mistake? I walked it up wearing my stiletto heel, right from work!!!!! 3 km in stilettos, I know, stupid, right? Yeah!!!

Someshwara Temple Halasuru Bengalore Temples Ulsoor
Pic Credit: Dineshkannambadi - Own work CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Varsh aiish - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Someshwara Temple Halasuru Bengalore Temples Ulsoor
Pic Credit: Dineshkannambadi - Own work CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Someshwara Temple Halasuru Bengalore Temples Ulsoor

SHRINES OF SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE HALASURU
At Ulsoor was my destination, Someshwara TempleThis temple was where Mandavya Maharishi prayed to Lord Shiva. The Shrines here were of Nanjundeeswaran, Arunachaleshwarar, Kala Bhairavar, Dakdhinamurthy esp. apart from Chandikesa, Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka

ARCHITECURE & SCULPTURES OF SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE HALASURU
This was a huge temple, but then still, hidden in the chaos of the market all around it. Unique was the first word that hit my mind when I saw the sculptural marvel of this temple. It was pretty unusual. The pillars, the reliefs on them, the reliefs on the temple walls, everything was different from many other temples.
The uniqueness of the temple was esp. the pillars. No two pillars looked alike. Many pillars had very high-reliefs that were almost like attached free-standing sculptures, thus creating, an intricate, open work on the pillars!!! Another unique factor was all over the walls. Just above the lowest crevice in the wall, across all 4 sides, there were series of relieves throughout the walls, at places depicting a story scene by scene!!!

HISTORY OF SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE HALASURU
This temple is believed to have been built by the Hoysalas/Cholas with the Dravidian Architecture. Later on during the 1570 AD this was rebuilt by Kempe Gowda, the founder of modern Bangalore. 

STORY OF SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE HALASURU 
The legend so goes that Kempe Gowda, tired after hunting, slept beneath a tree here and in his dream Lord Siva as Someshwara asked him to erect a temple at the very spot. Just as I would say always, in a country where we have the Ajanta from 2nd C BC, I wouldn't consider this temple, built in 16th C as a  very old temple!!!

Someshwara Temple Halasuru Bengalore Temples Ulsoor

Someshwara Temple Halasuru Bengalore Temples Ulsoor
Pic Credit: Gkpandey - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

TEMPLE CAR OF SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE
The temple car is located just outside the temple and it was built in 1902. It is made of wood and is a marvel filled with sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Parvathi etc. A tiny panel also depicts Queen Victoria (because when this was built, India was a colony of British Empire under her)! 

HOW TO REACH SOMESHWARA TEMPLE HALASURU BENGALURU (BANGALORE)
Nearest Busstop: Ulsoor
Nearest Metro Station: Halasuru
From M.G Road: 2.6km
Further detail on public transport in Bangalore given in Pt.4 of Transport Section in Travel Tips Page

BENGALURU HOTELS
Hotels, Dorms, Paying Guest facilities available at all price points all over Bangalore.

SRI SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE TIMINGS
6:00AM to 12:30PM and 5:30PM to 9:00PM all days

SRI SOMESHWARA SWAMY TEMPLE CONTACT NUMBER
+91 94496 63126

OTHER PLACES TO SEE NEAR BANGALORE

Bhushavali

An ardent traveler by passion. Being an ex - Art History Teacher, my area of interest especially lies in Nature and Heritage. Visited 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of June 2022. I've been listed among the Top 7 Women Travel Bloggers of India, Top 50 in UK. I have been interviewed in a couple of TV Shows, Radio Channels and Events as well. Read more about me and read the testimonials of different brands

23 comments:

  1. Nice Article .. Do try visiting Madivala Someshwara Temple also

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    Replies
    1. Oh. Madivala has a Someshwara temple too??? Thanks for the info. Will go there on my next visit to Bangalore.. :)

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  2. Beautiful details about the temple.

    Wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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  3. Informative post! :) I love the pics Bhushavalli

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  4. Wishing you by heart a prosperous new year full of health, love and happiness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Phivos. Wishing you and your family a great, prosperous New Year too!!! :)

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  5. I have passed by this temple many times but yet to enter it. Nice post.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enterrrrrrrrrr..... Do visit. You'll love it.. :):):)

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  6. Imagine what we learn by traveling. Really interesting history of temple and sculptures you shared here.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the appreciation dear.. :) Glad you found it interesting.. :):):)

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  7. I am yet to visit this ! A very HAppy New year to you

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  8. Replies
    1. Glad! :)
      And thanks for dropping by & commenting. Do drop by often... :)

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  9. Hi next time u are in bangalore let me know will show u old bangalore church , kempa gowda towers , bangalore palace .. happy travelling

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! That's a great list of places. Should go there once again... :)
      Thanks for the info Samaresh.

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  10. Om Namashivaya You give beautiful details about the temple. God bless you .A very HAppy New year to you

    ReplyDelete

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