Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Introduction to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple, or Boga Nandi Temple, lies in the foothills of the Nandi Hills, Bengaluru Rural district, Karnataka. The Archeological Survey of India protects it as a monument of national importance. The Boga Nandi Temple is one of the best temple sites and picnic spots near Bengaluru. The hills are amidst pristine forests. Visitors can see the Nandi Fort built by Tipu Sultan. The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva.

History of the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The Boga Nandi Temple was built in the 9th century. It bears the Dravidian architectural style. Bana Queen Ratnavali constructed the temple. After her reign, the Ganga dynasty, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pallavas, and Vijayanagara kings added many features to the temple. The Chola kings added a roof in the 11th century to the Boga Nandi Temple. The Hoysala dynasty added a marriage hall, and finally, the Vijayanagara kings built extra buildings, marriage halls, and outer walls during the 13th century.

The Architecture of the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The complex has two main temples, the Arunachaleshwara and the Boga Nandeeshwar or Boga Nandi Temple. The Gangas belonging to Talakad built the Arunachaleshwara, which lies south of the temple complex. The Cholas built the Boga Nandi Temple, which lies in the north.

The Arunachaleshwara temple has a unique form of Ganesha called Simha Ganapathi or Ugra Ganapathi. In front of this temple, there is a Nandi idol made of granite. Shiva is the presiding deity at this temple.

The main temple, Boga Nandi Temple, has a majestic Shiva Linga in the sanctum. It has a sculpture built in honor of King Rajendra Chola. The pillars are beautifully carved. The Nandi idol in front of the Boga Nandi Temple is more attractive than the one in front of the Arunachaleshwara Temple. The Vijayanagara rulers built a marriage hall and a Tulabhara Mandap in the Boga Nandi Temple.

The third shrine, Uma Maheshwara shrine, represents the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. It is in between Arunachaleshwara temple and Boga Nandi Temple. Intricately carved black stone pillars support a marriage hall and an altar. These pillars have reliefs that depict mythological stories about Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Agni, and Brahma adorned with other images. There are two more small shrines devoted to Devi.

A temple tank is on the north side of the temple complex. Next to the temple tank, there is a Mandap supported with pillars. The tank with descending steps is called the Pushkarni, Sringeri Theertha, or Kalyani. It is believed that the Pushkarni of the Boga Nandi Temple is a source of River Pinakini. During festivals, the tank is illuminated.

Festivals in the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Mahashivaratri, Ugadi, Diwali, and Karthika Purnima are grandly celebrated in the Boga Nandi Temple.

100,000 lamps are lit on the steps of the Pushkarni on main festival days. The Boga Nandi Temple observes this custom thrice a year.

The Boga Nandi Temple offers free lunches to devotees.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Boga Nandi Temple

Newly married couples visit the Boga Nandi Temple to receive the blessings of Shiva and Parvati as the temple depicts the wedding scenes between Shiva and Parvati. They believe this divine couple can bless them with a long, happy married life.