Beyond its tech startups and garden cafes, Bangalore houses some of India’s most magnificent Shiva temples. From ancient cave sanctuaries carved into hillsides to towering modern statues visible from miles away, the city offers a remarkable spectrum of Shaivite worship spaces.
These temples aren’t just religious spots – they’re living museums where centuries-old traditions continue daily. Each morning, as the Silicon Valley of India boots up its computers, temple bells ring across the city, continuing practices that predate the digital age by thousands of years.
What makes Bangalore’s Shiva temples special is their diversity. You’ll find everything from the 65-foot Adiyogi statue to tiny neighborhood shrines where local communities gather. This guide maps out the 20 must-visit Shiva temples across the city, with all the practical details you need for a meaningful visit.
When on a spritual trip near Bangalore, you must visit these shiva temple:
Located in Bangalore, Shivoham Shiva Temple also popular by the name of Kempfort Bangalore Shiva Temple, houses a magnificent 65-foot Shiva statue that makes it one of the biggest Shiva temples in Bangalore. This magnificent attracts thousands of devotees, especially during Maha Shivaratri. The temple includes a meditation hall and a garden, providing a peaceful environment amidst the city. The evening aarti at this temple is particularly spectacular, with the statue illuminated against the night sky, creating an ethereal atmosphere that leaves visitors spellbound.
Location: Electronic City, Bengaluru
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The Shri Kashi Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, a prominent Shiva Temple in Electronic City, Bangalore, is a modern spiritual haven named after the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. This Shiva Temple-inspired structure blends traditional architecture with contemporary aesthetics, attracting tech professionals and devotees alike. Known for its serene ambiance, the temple hosts vibrant festivals like Maha Shivaratri, drawing crowds for special pujas.
The Sri Nageshwara Temple on Begur is known for its traditional architecture and vibrant religious celebrations. Built during the Ganga Dynasty, this temple contains 890 AD Kannada inscriptions referencing Bengaluru. Later Chola additions enhance its historical value. The temple’s five Shivalingas, known as Panchalingeshwara, and ornate pillars make it a significant historical and spiritual site.
The Adiyogi Shiva Temple in Bangalore is inspired by the 112-foot statue at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. This temple focuses on Shiva as the first yogi and offers yoga and meditation programs. The temple’s design incorporates elements that enhance meditation, with carefully planned acoustics and lighting. The surrounding area is landscaped with plants mentioned in ancient texts for their spiritual properties. Regular workshops on yoga and inner well-being are conducted here, making it not just a place of worship but also a center for holistic living.
Located in the heart of Malleshwaram, Kadu Malleshwara temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Bangalore. It dates back to the 17th century and its architecture reflects the Dravidian style with a towering gopuram and intricate stone carvings. The annual rath yatra celebration attracts thousands of devotees from across the city. The temple continues to be an important religious and cultural landmark in Bangalore.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara is a unique Shiva cave temple in Bangalore carved out of a monolithic rock and dates back to the 16th century. The temple is renowned for its astronomical significance – on Makar Sankranti, sunlight passes through the horns of the Nandi statue and illuminates the Shivalinga inside the cave. This ancient temple showcases the remarkable knowledge of its builders, with perfectly aligned stone discs that create this annual phenomenon. One unique thing about this temple is that its cave structure remains naturally cool even during summer, and the echo effect inside creates an blissful experience for visitors.
The Someshwara Temple in Halasuru is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore, built during the Chola period. The temple has several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities, as well which makes it a complete spiritual center for devotees. The stone pillars in the temple mandapa are carved with scenes from mythology and feature musical pillars that produce different notes when tapped. The temple’s water tank, considered sacred, is believed to have healing properties and is used during special rituals.
Associated with Bangalore’s founder Kempegowda, this historical temple holds special significance in the city’s cultural heritage. The temple architecture combines elements of the Vijayanagara style with local influences, creating a beautiful aesthetic. The stone carvings depict not only religious themes but also scenes from the life of Kempegowda and the early days of Bangalore.
Dedicated to Nandi (Shiva’s vehicle), this temple is renowned for its Shiva worship in Bangalore. The temple has a monolithic Nandi statue and it is one of the largest in the world. Nandi temple is built on a natural hill and offers devotees panoramic views of the surrounding area. The annual Kadalekai Parishe (groundnut fair) held here attracts farmers from surrounding villages. They offer their first harvest to the deity before selling.
As the name suggests, this Shiva Parvathi temple in Bangalore is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, celebrating their divine union. The temple hosts special rituals on the occasion of Shivaratri and festivals dedicated to Goddess Parvathi like “Gauri Habba”. Many couples seeking marital blessings particularly visit this temple, believing in the protective power of Shiva and Parvathi over family life.
Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyaani Kshetra is one of the most unique and sacred Shiva temples in Bangalore. Located in the heart of Malleshwaram, this ancient temple remained buried and forgotten for centuries until its accidental rediscovery in 1997 during a construction project.
Believed to be over 400 years old, this Shiva temple in Bangalore stands out for its exceptional architecture and rare south-facing placement of both the Nandi and the Shiva Linga. The temple’s highlight is the continuous stream of water that flows from the mouth of the Nandi idol directly onto the Shivalinga, a phenomenon that remains a mystery to this day.
This is 2000-year-old cave shiva temple situated in Bangalore. It is carved from a single rock and enshrines a central Shivalinga flanked by Devi and Ganesha idols. Its dhyana mantap and ancient structure offer a serene spiritual experience near BGS National Public School.
Location: Omkar Hills, Srinivasapura, Bengaluru
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
This unique temple complex houses 12 smaller temples representing India’s Jyotirlingas. Its serene hilltop location and spiritual significance attract devotees seeking a comprehensive Shiva pilgrimage.
This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nandeeshwara (Lord of Nandi) features traditional architecture. The temple’s foundation stones contain inscriptions that date back several centuries, providing historical insights. The temple bell is made of an alloy that produces a unique resonance believed to create positive vibrations. The surrounding area was once a forest grove dedicated to meditation, and the temple layout still incorporates elements designed to facilitate religious practices for devotees.
Location: Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Sri Kanneshwara Devasthana is a revered Shiva temple in Bangalore, nestled in the culturally rich neighborhood of Basavanagudi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Kanneshwara, the temple’s name combines “Kannu” (eye) and “Eshwara” (Lord Shiva), symbolizing the all-seeing deity
One of the ancient Shiva temples in Bangalore, the Madiwala Someshwara Temple dates back to the Chola period. The temple’s stone inscriptions provide valuable historical information about medieval Bangalore. The annual float festival (teppotsavam) attracts thousands of devotees who witness the deity being taken around the temple tank on an illuminated float. The temple walls feature unique stucco work that has survived centuries, depicting scenes from the Puranas and local folklore.
Located on top of a Shivagange hill, Gangadhareshwara Temple is one of the magnificent Shiva temples offering breathtaking views to devotees. It is built around a natural spring that is believed to originate from the Ganges itself after which it gets its name “Gangadhareshwara”. Devotees visiting this temple need to trek involves climbing 1,001 steps, symbolizing the journey of spiritual ascension. Rock formations around the temple take on shapes that pilgrims interpret as various symbols associated with Shiva, including the damaru (drum) and trishul (trident). The temple is also known for its unique resonance properties that amplify the sound of mantras.
This temple is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and his son Lord Subrahmanya (Kartikeya). The temple’s unique architectural feature is its six-pillared hall representing the six faces of Lord Subrahmanya. The temple celebrates the father-son divine relationship, with special rituals during Skanda Shashti festival. The temple premises include a meditation space specifically designed for concentration practices, with proper ventilation and minimal external noise interference. Many devotees report experiencing a unique sense of clarity and focus after meditating here.
Though primarily dedicated to Nandi, this temple includes important Lord Shiva shrines and is an important pilgrimage spot to Shaivite worship in Bangalore. The complex houses several smaller shrines arranged in a specific geometric pattern that is believed to create an energy field conducive to spiritual practices. The main Shiva shrine features a swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam that is said to grow over the years. The temple walls feature rare mural paintings depicting stories from the Shiva Purana, executed in natural pigments that have maintained their vibrancy over centuries.
Location: Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is one of the lesser-known yet spiritually rich Shiva temples in Bangalore. Located in the culturally vibrant area of Basavanagudi, this ancient temple was built in the 17th century by King Chikkadevaraya. It was later restored in 1903 to preserve its heritage and structure.
This Shiva temple features beautifully carved idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and the Navagrahas.
Bangalore’s Shiva temples tell the story of a city balancing ancient traditions with modern ambitions. While software engineers build the future in glass and steel towers, these temples preserve architectural heritage and spiritual practices dating back centuries.
Each temple on this list offers something divine – whether it’s the astronomical marvel of sunlight passing through Nandi’s horns at the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple, the towering presence of the Shivoham Shiva statue, or the community-focused celebrations at neighborhood shrines like the ones in IndiraNagar and Vijayanagar, this list of Shiva temples is a must-visit if you’re near to Bangalore.
Visit during Maha Shivaratri (February-March) to experience these temple at their most vibrant, when overnight prayers, special abhishekams, and community gatherings transform them with energy and devotion.
The Shivoham Shiva Temple (also known as Kempfort Shiva Temple) is considered the biggest Shiva temple in Bangalore, featuring a 65-foot tall Shiva statue that makes it an impressive landmark in the city.
Yes, Bangalore is home to several ancient Shiva temples including the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple (cave temple), Someshwara Temple in Halasuru, and Kadu Malleshwara Temple, which date back several centuries and showcase historical architecture.
Most Shiva temples in Bangalore, including the famous ones like HAL Shiva Temple and Shivoham Shiva Temple, offer free entry to visitors. Some may have nominal charges for special rituals or services.
The Adiyogi Shiva Temple and Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple are particularly known for their ambiance conducive to meditation. The HAL Shiva Temple also offers a peaceful environment for contemplation.
Yes, the Shiva Temple in Electronic City Phase 1 and the Chandraprabha Shiva Temple near Chandapura are two temples located close to the Electronic City area.
The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple is known for its unique architecture, carved from a single rock and designed with astronomical alignments. The Shivoham Shiva Temple is famous for its modern design and its towering statue of Lord Shiva.
Policies vary by temple. Many temples restrict photography, especially inside the sanctum sanctorum. It’s best to inquire at the temple before taking photos or videos.
The Someshwara Temple in Halasuru is considered one of the oldest Shiva temples in Bangalore, dating back to the 9th or 10th century during the Chola dynasty.
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