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Shiva temples in Bangalore
शिव
The earliest written trace of Bangalore's name is on a hero stone at the Shiva temple in Begur, and the cave shrine at Gavipuram is aligned so that the Makar Sankranti sunset reaches the lingam inside. All six places below are free to enter; they differ in age and in the hour that suits them.
Shiva
The destroyer and transformer, the great yogi. In the sanctum he is usually worshipped as a lingam rather than a statue.
Six places, six reasons to go
Three are old temples of Shiva himself and one is a Shiva shrine on an ashram campus; in the other two the main image is his bull or his son.
Halasuru Someshwara: the working temple in town
Halasuru Someshwara goes back to the Chola period; the state temple department places it in the 13th century, and major additions came under Hiriya Kempe Gowda II. Look for the Girija Kalyana panels, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Darshan runs about 6:30–12:30 and 17:30–20:30, according to the Karnataka HRI & CE Department. The nearest metro station is Halasuru on the Purple Line.
Nageshvara, Begur: the oldest stones
The Nageshvara compound in Begur was begun under the Western Ganga kings in the 9th and early 10th centuries and is still in daily worship. Among the hero stones is an Old Kannada inscription of about 890 CE that mentions a Bengaluru war, the earliest known written use of the name. It is rarely busy; there are no checked opening hours.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara: the cave
A Shiva shrine cut into the rock of Gavipuram, Basavanagudi, entered through a forecourt of monolithic stone discs for the sun and the moon. Inside it is dim and cool. Its one crowded evening is Makar Sankranti (see below). Shoes come off at the steps.
Bull Temple: Shiva's bull
In Basavanagudi the main image is not Shiva but Nandi, the bull who carries him, carved from a single granite block about 5 m high and over 6 m long and dark with oil. Open 6:00–13:00 and 16:00–20:00 (India GO on-site check, 4 September 2026).
Shrungagiri: Shiva's son, at sunset
Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Swami Temple in Rajarajeshwari Nagar belongs to Murugan (Subrahmanya), Shiva's son, whose six faces look out from the tower. It stands on a hill, and at sunset the terrace looks over the west of the city.
Art of Living Ashram: a Shiva temple on a campus
On the Art of Living campus on Kanakapura Road, the ashram's visitor guidelines put a Shiva temple about 900 m from reception. The campus is open 9:00–20:00 daily, according to the ashram's website.
Shiva's days in Bangalore
Maha Shivaratri (the great night of Shiva) falls on 6 March 2027. It is the biggest day of the year at Halasuru Someshwara, which Wikipedia puts at more than 100,000 visitors; come early or expect long queues. The same source names Brahmotsavam and the Mondays of the month of Karthika (Karthika Somavara) as the temple's other main festivals. More: Maha Shivaratri.
Makar Sankranti is Gavi Gangadhareshwara's evening. In the late afternoon the setting sun passes between the horns of the Nandi outside and reaches the lingam in the inner chamber for a few minutes. In 2027 Sankranti falls on 15 January. The courtyard fills long before. More: Makar Sankranti.
✅ At the door
- Shoes off — At Halasuru, Nageshvara, Gavi Gangadhareshwara and Shrungagiri shoes come off at the gate or the steps.
- Free entry — None of the six charges for entry.
- Plan around midday — Halasuru closes between about 12:30 and 17:30, the Bull Temple between 13:00 and 16:00.
- Dress — Covered shoulders and knees are the safe choice at any temple. At the Art of Living campus modest dress is a written rule, and photography and video are banned during satsang.
Other temples in the city
For Ganesha at Dodda Ganapathi, ISKCON and a Basavanagudi morning route, see temples in Bangalore.
❓ FAQ
Which is the oldest Shiva temple in Bangalore?
The Nageshvara compound in Begur, begun under the Western Ganga kings in the 9th and 10th centuries. In the old city centre the oldest is Halasuru Someshwara, of Chola origin.
Which Shiva temple in Bangalore is famous for the Sankranti sun?
Gavi Gangadhareshwara in Gavipuram. On Makar Sankranti (15 January in 2027) the setting sun passes between Nandi's horns and lights the lingam for a few minutes.
What are the Halasuru Someshwara temple timings?
About 6:30–12:30 and 17:30–20:30, according to the Karnataka HRI & CE Department. It is closed in between.
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2027?
On 6 March 2027. Expect the largest crowds of the year at Halasuru Someshwara.
Do I have to pay to enter Shiva temples in Bangalore?
No. All six places on this page are free to enter.