Religious Interest

Shiva Statue

Kemp Fort, Old Airport Road

Located behind on Old Airport Road, this statue is 65 feet tall, depicting Lord Shiva in lotus position. It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash, Shiva’s heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks.

Iskcon Temple

Hare Krishna Hills, West of Chord Road, Rajajinagar

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the most sought after destinations in India. The white temple building has gorgeous deities of Lord Radha Krishna.

Bahai Bhavan

82, Coles Road

The centre hosts regular ‘firesides’ or discussions among small groups on the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith along with prayer meetings and study groups.

Bull Temple

Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi

This is a typical Dravidian-style temple built by Kempe Gowda I. It is has a monolith bull that is 4.5m tall and 6.5m long. It was apparently built to appease a vagrant bull which persisted in devouring all the groundnuts in the surrounding fields. Once this temple was built, the bull stayed away from the groundnuts. A Groundnut Fair (Kadalekayi Parishe) near the temple premises is held every year.

Tawakkal Mastan DargaH

Cottonpet, Near Majestic

Dedicated to the Sufi Saint Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Shah, it is characterised by coloured floor tiles, tinted glass lamps, a green-and-white façade and ornate minarets.

Sri Bande Mahakali Devalaya

Kempegowda Nagar, Gavipuram Guttahalli

A temple of great antiquity with over 600 years of history, Sri Bandi Mahankali is a manifesto of Mahakali/Durga, naturally formed on stone (Bande, called in local language, Kannada)..

St Andrew’s Church

Cubbon Road

This red-and-white Scottish-styled Gothic church was built in 1867. High windows, tall doors and circular ventilators are the highlights of this pretty edifice.

St Mary’s Basilica

Shivajinagar

Best known for the eight-day St Mary’s Feast every September, this church started in as a small chapel 1818. Rev LF Kleiner transformed the small chapel into a church in 1874. Boasts of stately arches vaulting towards the ceiling, rich Corinthian capitals of moulded bunches of grapes and artistic stained-glass windows from Paris.

Jamia Masjid

NR Road

One of the biggest mosques in town, it can accommodate over 10,000 people at a time. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, it was built in 1940 and is in the middle of City Market.

Mata Amrithanandamayi Math

136, Ullal Cross Road, 2nd Stage Jnana Bharathi

Like her ashrams across the world, this one is run by Amma’s disciples and regularly holds spiritual discourses and classes. It manages the Bramasthanam Temple, an engineering college, Amrita Vidyalayam, Amrita Krupa, a charitable clinic that offers free medical check-ups.

Fire Temple

15, Queens Road, Bangalore GPO

Built in 1926, the fire temple is so called because of the presence of the sacred fire that represents the infinite light of Ahura Mazda. The actual name of the temple is Baidhanmai and Cawasji Dadhabhai Dar-E-Meher, situated on Queens Road. Major festivals include Jamshedji Nowroz

in March and Pateri in August. The temple is open to Parsis only. Timings: 9am-7pm

Jumma Masjid

11, Jumma Masjid Road

This brick and mortar building is the oldest mosque in the city. Built during the time of Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan when Bengaluru was part of his territory, it had to be renovated in 1836. It boasts of

jali-work, gleaming granite pillars and ornate stucco floral motifs.

Ramakrishna Mutt

Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi

Set up in 1909 by a disciple of Swami Ramakrishnananda, this became a prominent hub of spiritualists. The mutt organises daily bhajans, religious discourses and publishes religious books.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Gavipuram-Guttahalli, Behind Ramakrishna Math

Going back 500 years, this cave temple was renovated by King Kempegowda in late 19th century dedicated to Lord Shiva. Observe the mantapa supported by 14 pillars, and Shiva’s trident and drum in carved granite.

Mahabodhi Society

14, Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar

The Mahabodhi Society has a stupa, a monastery and a Bodhi tree. Set up in 1956, it aims to put his teachings into practice through spiritual, social and educational activities. It is also a resource centre for the detailed study of Buddhism.

The Art of Living

21st km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura
Tel: 2843- 2273/74

The Art of Living Ashram is the home of Sudarshan Kriya, Sri Sri Ravishankar’s internationally- renowned breathing technique. Spread over 24 acres, it boasts of lush green hills and a spacious lake Residential courses to enhance mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health are conducted here.