Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana in Kenchenahalli (now called Sri Rajarajeshwarinagar) was founded by His Holiness Sri Sivaratnapuri Swamiji (popularly known as Sri Tiruchi Swamigal). His Guru was Sri Sivapuri baba who lived in Kathmandu. The Guru, after initiating him, asked him to go south, where, he said there was much good work to be done. Before coming down South, Tiruchi Mahaswamiji went to Mount Kailas. There, during intense meditation, he had a vision of the triple divinities of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi; and a bodiless voice (Asarira vani) asked him to go to Karnataka. He came down to Bangalore via Bombay.
Early in the morning on 14.1.1960, the auspicious Sankranthi day, Sri Tiruchi Swamiji was proceeding to Mysore by a car for a Pada Pooja, along with two of his disciples. Just at about six miles south West of Bangalore City, he saw above him in the sky, three garudas (sacred eagles) circling. He saw in them the images of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi who had appeared before him on Mount Kailas. Swamiji got down from the car, and saw a footpath leading to a tiny village Kenchenhalli. He proceeded and spotted a tiny cottage amidst a grove of guava trees, the spot the eagles kept on encircling. He decided to have his Ashrama there. The Foundation stone was laid there by Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal, between on 3rd April 1960.
Later, His Holiness Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal built a temple dedicated to Goddess Sri Rajarajeshwari, as there are Puranic legends about the place. Swamiji also built a Sri Chakra temple where MAHA MERU is installed in its all glory.
Pratyangira Devi Temple
Jayanagar housing society layout, Subramanyapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560061
Temple Timings: 6.00am to 12.00pm, 5.00pm to 8.00pm
Pratyangira Devi Temple is dedicated to goddess Pratyangira also called Atharvana Bhadrakali, Narasimhi, Simhamukhi, and Nikumbala, is a Hindu goddess associated with Shaktism. She is described to be the female energy and consort of Sarabha. According to the Tripura Rahasya, she is the pure manifestation of the wrath of Tripura Sundari. In the Vedas, Pratyangira is represented in the form of Atharvana Bhadrakali, the goddess of the Atharva Veda and magical spells. Narasimhi is part of the Saptamatrika mother goddesses. The term ‘Prati’ means reverse and ‘Angiras’ means attacking. Thus, the goddess Pratyangira is the one who reverses any black magic attacks. In the temples of South India, She is also eulogised as Atharvana Bhadrakali as the she is considered the embodiment of the Atharva.
Omkareshwara Hill is a small hill in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in South Bangalore. With 2800 ft. above the sea level this place is one of the highest points in Bangalore
Omkareshwara temple is on top of the Omkar hills. It is easily accessible – you can drive up the hill or choose to walk. The temple is beautiful and hosts 12 representatives of the original Jyotirlingas spread across various states of India, Vanadurga and Matsya Narayana temples. Omkareshwara is the main deity. This temple was built with the intention of providing every devotee an opportunity of Jyotirlinga darshana at one location.
It was Lord Shanmukha’s own will to choose the barren Hillock in Rajarajeshwari Nagar as His abode and He inspired His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, to appoint Dr. R. Arunachalam as His contractor to build Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Temple on the hillock.
This unique Temple is situated on a hillock which is 240′ from the ground level. The total height of the temple is 123′ of which the six faced Gopuram itself is 62′ (including 19′ up to neck). The Crystal Dome above the Gopuram has a height of 42′, with 33′ Diameter and 105′ Circumference. The six faces of Lord Shanmukha are 6″ thick concrete moulded structures.
The design of the entire temple structure is based on the very name of Lord Shanmukha, which means a ‘Six Faced God’. In other words, the design of the whole Temple is based on ‘Star” concept. The Sanctum (Garbha Gudi) and its outer circle (Prakara), devotees’ hall, outer walls, roof design – all are ‘Star’ shape constructions. The Temple Gopuram structure is the six faces of Lord Shanmukha.
ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple
Vaikunta Hill, near Gokulam Apartments, Vasantha Vallabha Nagar, Bikasipura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560061
Temple Timings: 7.30am to 12.30pm, 4.30pm to 8.00pm
The Krishna Lila Theme Park is a grand and majestic cultural complex that is coming up on Vaikuntha Hill, a 28-acre hillock on Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru.
The cultural complex is a fusion of modern architecture and traditional kind of temple design. It will have state-of-the-art facilities to present the universal, eternal and the supreme knowledge contained in the Vedic literatures like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Srimad-Bhagavatam in a fascinating way that would appeal to the contemporary society. The theme park is envisaged to become the most prominent cultural and religious tourism destination in Bengaluru.
The cultural complex will also include separate shrines for Their Lordships Jagannatha, Srinivasa Govinda and Radha Krishna. The project completed its first phase with the installation of the Deities of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra along with the Deity of Sri Sudharshana Narasimha in a magnificent temple in January 2013. Since then, Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra has been one of the major annual festivals celebrated on the Vaikuntha Hill.
In the second phase of the project, Sri Rajadi Raja Sri Srinivasa Govinda temple will be built. It will look like a small replica of the Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati.
The Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra which were installed in the month of August 2012 have now been placed in a temporary temple. They will be worshipped here until they are shifted later to a majestic temple to be built on this hill.
Sri Indrakshi Durga Sannidhi
Gubbalala Gate Bus Stop, Kanakapura Main Road, Munireddy Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560062
Indrakshi Durga temple at Gubbalala (Kanakapura road) is a great example of how aesthetics and holistic ambience can change the complete setting and layout of an area. The architecture is simplistic and sustainable with amazing landscape which gives the place the feel of an island of peace and calm despite the chaos, dust and pollution of the main road. The main deity Durga ma beckons into a world of calm with her beautiful smile and tranquil gaze. Temple is maintained greatly. The priest abode is within the campus for any query related to Pooja. There are options to conduct a small homa and yajna but details will be shared by management only. It’s a must visit to experience the much needed calm and peace. Highly recommend everyone to take some time off and experience this
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Sri Vasantha Vallabharayaswami Temple
5, 1st Main Rd, Vasantha pura, Subramanyapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560061.
Temple Timings: 7.30am to 12.00pm, 5.30pm to 8.00pm
Sri Vasanta Vallabharaya temple is the oldest temple in South Bangalore; The Swamy statue is medium, not so big. We can get the Swamy darshana easily as they allow at the second door itself. As it’s an old temple you can feel very positive vibes here, calm place. Do visit once this Powerful temple.
In the temple you will get little place to sit; else there is a huge place outside the temple to sit.
You can also visit Shri Parashakti Maramma Devi temple, Aanjaneya Temple, Shiva Temple’s (Shri Bhavani Shankar) in the same premises. In shiva temple they will teach Vedic mantras ?
Srividya level-1, 2 & 3 workshop held on 4th & 5th Nov 2023 in Bangalore.
