Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple located in Nandi village at the base of Nandi Hills in Karnataka. This temple dedicated to lord Shiva is one of the oldest temples of Karnataka, dates back to the early 9th century. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple was constructed by the rulers of the Nolamba Dynasty and the Rashtrakuta Empire. The temple was later under the patronage of south Indian dynasties like Ganga Dynasty, Chola Dynasty, Hoysala Empire and the Vijayanagara Empire. This temple is now protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple - Pushkarani

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Structure

The Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple is a best example of Dravidian Architecture. This 1000 year old temple complex is believed to be constructed by the Bana Queen Ratnavali and later extended by the Ganga dynasty, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pallavas and finally by the Vijayanagara Kings. The temple complex has three shrines dedicated to Arunachaleshwara, Bhoga Nandeeshwara and Uma Maheshwara.

Arunachaleshwara Temple

The Arunachaleshwara temple in the south was built by the Gangas of Talakad and has a unique form of lord Ganesha called Simha Ganapathi or Ugra Ganapathi. There is a Nandi idol made of granite in front of the temple.

The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in the north was built by the Chola king Rajendra Chola. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi is one of the oldest temples in Karnataka state. There is a figure of Chola king in this temple. The figure is believed to be of the Chola King Rajendra Chola. The Nandi Idol infornt of this temple is considered more attractive than the Nandi temple in front of Arunachaleshwara temple.

Uma Maheshwara Temple

Between the Bhoga Nandeeshwara and Arunachaleshwara temple is the Uma Maheshwara temple constructed by the Hoysala kings. The Uma Maheshwara temple has a Kalyana mantapa supported by ornate pillar which resembles to that of Hoysala architecture. These pillars made of black stone has carvings of Hindu gods Shiva and his consort Parvathi, Brahma the creator and Saraswathi, Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi, the god of fire Agni and his consort Swaha Devi. The outer wall and the buildings were added by the Vijayanagara kings in the 13th century.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Pillared Hall - Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Sculptures in Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

This 9th century Nolamba construction has many sculptures carved on the outer walls of the temple.it includes a dancing Shiva in the south wall of Arunachaleshwara shrine, Durga standing on a buffalo head in the north wall of Bhoga Nandeeshwara shrine.

Each major shrine has a large linga in the sanctum with sculptures of Nandi in the pavilion facing the shrine. A pavilion with elegant pillars was added in between the Arunachaleshwara and Bhoga Nandeeshwara shrine during the 13th century Vijayanagara period. Arunachaleshwara and Bhoga Nandeeshwara form represent the two stages in the life of Lord Shiva, Childhood and youth. The Uma Maheshwara temple depicts the wedding scenes of Shiva and Parvathi and hence newly married couples visit this temple to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. The Yoga Nandeeshwara form on the hill top represents the final renunciation stage and hence no festivals are celebrated in the Yoga Narasimha temple on top of Nandi Hill.

Shringi Theertha

Another major attraction in the temple compound is the large stepped temple tank (Kalyani or Pushkarni) also known as Sringeri Teertha or Shringi Theertha. The Kalyani was constructed during the Vijayanagara period by Krishnadeva Raya. The pond is surrounded on all four sides by walkway and a running mantapa. The pond has steps leading down to it on all four sides. This pond is considered as the source of Pinakini (Pennar) river.

Naga Images in Bhoga Nandheeswara Temple

Thulabhara Mantapa

Vasanth Mantapa

Wall Images on Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Best Time To Visit Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The best time to visit Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is between the months of October and March.

How to Reach Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is located in the Nandi village at the foothills of the famous tourist spot Nandi Hills. It is at a distance of 54km from Bangalore City, 7km from Chikkaballapur and 10km from Nandi Hills. If you are coming from Bangalore, take the NH towards Devanahalli. Take left diversion to Nandi Hills from the main road (Nandi upachar hotel is situated at the Nandi hills diversion). After going around 10km you will reach a T Junction where the Left goes to Nandi Hills and the right goes to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple. Frequent bus services will be available from the Bangalore city to Nandi Hills