Halasuru Someshwara Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 8 km from Bangalore Central Railway Station, Halasuru Someshwara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the suburbs of Halasuru (Ulsoor) in Bangalore. It is the oldest temple in all of Bangalore, and among the popular religious places that one must visit as part of the Bangalore Tour.

Halasuru Someshwara Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. The temple was built around the 12th and 13th centuries during the Chola period. Major additions or modifications were made during the late Vijayanagara Empire period under the rule of Hiriya Kempe Gowda II. The temple is now managed and maintained by the Endowment Department of Karnataka. As per the mythology, sage Mandavya meditated at the spot where the temple now stands, and hence it was known as Mandavya Kshetra.

Constructed in the Vijayanagar style of architecture, the temple has a square sanctum (garbhagriha) which is surrounded by a narrow passageway. The sanctum is connected to a closed mantapa whose walls are decorated with pilasters and sculptures in the frieze. The closed mantapa is connected to a spacious open mantapa consisting of forty- eight pillars and several bays. The eastern gopuram is a well-executed, typical 16th-century structure.

The temple has many exquisite sculptures, including the gopuram with carvings of gods and goddesses. The elaborate sculptures of Ravana holding the Kailash Parvat, Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura, scenes from the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, images of the Saptarishis, etc. are the other fascinating features of the temple. Other than the main temple, the premises are dotted with smaller shrines of other deities including Kamakshamma, Arunachaleswara, Bhimeswara, Nanjundeswara, and Panchalingeswara.

Timings: 6 AM - 12.30 PM & 5.30 PM - 9 PM

Entry: Free