Temple Guide

Dress Code

For ISKCON Bangalore, modest and traditional attire is appreciated. Men are advised to wear kurta-pajama or formal shirts and trousers. Women can wear sarees, salwar kameez, or any modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothes. For the Bull Temple, similar modest dress is recommended. Since it is a traditional temple, wearing traditional Indian attire is respectful. Remove footwear before entering the temple premises. At both temples, it is customary to wash hands and feet before entering the sanctum.

Rituals

• Mangala Aarti: The early morning aarti at ISKCON Bangalore, performed at 4:30 AM, wakes the deities. It is a serene and powerful ritual with chanting and incense.
• Abhishekam: At the Bull Temple, an abhishekam (ritual bathing of the Nandi statue) is performed on special occasions and during festivals. Devotees can sponsor this ritual.
• Bhoga Offering: At ISKCON, devotees offer food (bhoga) to the deities before it is distributed as prasadam. The temple kitchen prepares thousands of meals daily.
• Sandhya Aarti: The evening aarti at ISKCON, held around 6:30 PM, is a grand ceremony with lamps, bells, and kirtan. It is a deeply moving experience.
• Groundnut Offering: At the Bull Temple, during the Kadalekai Parishe festival, farmers offer the first harvest of groundnuts to the Nandi as a gesture of gratitude.

Darshan Guide

Administration

• •ISKCON Bangalore is administered by the ISKCON Bangalore Trust, a branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
• •The temple is managed by a board of trustees and a team of devotees.
• •For queries, contact the temple office at +91-80-2347 1956 or email at info@iskconbangalore.org.
• •The Bull Temple is administered by the Muzrai Department of the Government of Karnataka, under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
• •The temple has a managing committee headed by a priest (archaka) and is overseen by the state government.

Festivals

History

• •ISKCON Bangalore was established in 1978 under the guidance of A.C.
• •Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
• •The current grand temple complex, built over several years, was inaugurated in 1997.
• •It was designed to accommodate thousands of devotees and has become a major spiritual and cultural center in South India.
• •The Bull Temple, locally known as Dodda Basavana Gudi, dates to the 16th century.
• •It was constructed by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, in the Dravidian style.
• •The temple enshrines a massive monolithic granite Nandi (the sacred bull of Lord Shiva), which is believed to grow in size, and the temple is closely tied to the agrarian heritage of the region, with the annual groundnut fair (Kadalekai Parishe) held in its vicinity.

Architecture

• •ISKCON Bangalore's architecture is a striking blend of modern engineering and traditional Vedic design.
• •The temple features a towering gopuram (rajagopuram) with intricate carvings, a large prayer hall with ornate pillars, and a main sanctum housing the deities of Sri Radha Krishna.
• •The complex includes a museum, a theater, and a large dining hall, all built with contemporary amenities while maintaining a spiritual ambiance.
• •The Bull Temple is a classic example of Dravidian architecture, with a simple yet imposing vimana (tower) over the sanctum.
• •The temple is built in the Vijayanagara style, using granite blocks.
• •The central attraction is the colossal Nandi statue, about 4.5 meters tall and 6 meters long, carved from a single rock.
• •The statue is adorned with garlands and bells, and the temple's walls feature typical Dravidian motifs.

Temple Layout

• •ISKCON Bangalore Temple: The complex is spread over a large area.
• •The main temple building has a grand entrance leading to a spacious courtyard.
• •Inside, the main prayer hall (mandapa) is flanked by smaller shrines dedicated to various deities, including Srila Prabhupada.
• •The central sanctum houses Sri Radha Krishna, with a separate altar for Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda.
• •The complex also includes a museum on the life of Srila Prabhupada, a theater, a gift shop, and a large prasadam hall.
• •The Bull Temple: The temple is a compact complex.
• •The main entrance faces east, leading to a small courtyard.
• •The sanctum (garbhagriha) houses the massive Nandi statue, with a circumambulation path (pradakshina) around it.
• •The temple has a small mandapa for devotees to sit and pray.
• •The outer walls are adorned with stucco figures and the shikhara (tower) rises above the sanctum.
• •A small shrine for Lord Shiva is located within the temple complex.

Tips

• Plan your visit to ISKCON Bangalore early morning or during the evening aarti to experience the temple's spiritual energy at its peak; the temple is less crowded before 8 AM.
• At ISKCON, try the prasadam (sanctified food) at the temple's restaurant, which offers a variety of delicious vegetarian meals; it is a must-try culinary experience.
• For the Bull Temple, visit during the Kadalekai Parishe festival in November/December to witness the vibrant local culture and the unique groundnut offering.
• Both temples are located in different parts of the city. ISKCON is in Rajajinagar, while the Bull Temple is in Basavanagudi. Allocate separate half-days for each to avoid rushing.
• Carry a small cloth bag to keep your footwear, as shoe storage at both temples can be crowded. Alternatively, use the paid shoe stands.
• Respect local customs: remove your shoes before entering the temple, avoid pointing your feet towards the deities, and maintain silence inside the sanctum.

Nearby Attractions

• Lalbagh Botanical Garden: A 240-acre garden founded in the 1760s by Hyder Ali and expanded by Tipu Sultan, featuring a glasshouse modeled on London's Crystal Palace and an annual flower show. Located about 5 km from the Bull Temple.
• Cubbon Park: A 300-acre park in the city center, laid out in 1870, adjoining the High Court and Vidhana Soudha. Ideal for a leisurely walk. About 7 km from ISKCON and 4 km from the Bull Temple.
• Vidhana Soudha: The Neo-Dravidian granite building that houses the Karnataka state legislature, completed in 1956. View from outside; not open for casual entry. Located near Cubbon Park.
• Bangalore Palace: A Tudor-style palace built in the 1870s-1880s for the Wadiyar royal family, inspired by Windsor Castle. It is open to visitors. About 6 km from ISKCON and 5 km from the Bull Temple.
• Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: An Indo-Islamic wooden palace built in the 1780s-90s, once part of Bangalore Fort. A short drive from the Bull Temple (about 3 km).

Quick Information