Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple and Arunachaleswara Temple are twin Hindu temple complexes located in Nandi village in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district. They are ornate, beautifully carved, and dedicated to Shiva. They have been dated between the 9th and 10th centuries CE. It is Karnataka’s oldest surviving temple in the Nolambavadi style of Dravidian architecture.

The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is the twin’s northern temple. Soon after, the Arunachaleswara temple was built to the south. Throughout the Vijayanagara Empire, the complex was restored and expanded. The temples are notable for their large and intricately carved sabha-mandapa, inscriptions, and artwork, much of which is related to Shaivism, but also to Vaishnavism (Narasimha, Vishnu), Shaktism (Durga, Lakshmi), Vedic deities (Surya, Agni).

Significance of Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is protected and managed as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is located in the village at the Nandi Hills’ foothills. Nandi Hills is a popular temple and picnic location. The simple Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple on top of the hill is famous for the massive bull statue in front of it.

Few people are aware of the other Nandeeshwara temple, a magnificent, sprawling complex that houses not one, but three temples. The first Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple was constructed in the ninth century. The Bana Queen Ratnavali is thought to have built the first phase. The temple was then subjected to numerous additions and modifications over the course of five dynasties’ rule. The hills are actually five hills that serve as the headwaters for five different rivers: Palar, Pinakini, Akravathy, Papagni, and Swarnamukhi.

History of Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The eastern regions of south Karnataka have a long history. They arose during the reigns of the Rashtrakuta and Ganga dynasties. By the eighth century, the Hindu Nolambas, also known as Nolamba-Pallavas, ruled this region for the Rashtrakuta and Ganga dynasties. After defeating the Banas, Mahendra I’s reign (860-895 CE) brought renewed power and economic prosperity.

After Mahendra I died, his mother Devalabbarasi ascended to power, aided by her second son Iriva-Nolamba. She was a great patron of the arts, gave her sons the name Nolamba, and built the Nolamba-Narayanesvara temple. The Nolambavadi style, which emerged during this time period (850-1000 CE), reflects a synthesis of regional Hindu arts.

Inscriptions discovered near Nandi village in the early ninth century mention a Shiva temple. These inscriptions, however, make no mention of the temple complex. These inscriptions, which date between 806 and 810 CE, are attributed to Nolamba dynasty ruler Nolambadiraja and Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda III, according to the Archaeological Survey of India. Copper plate inscriptions discovered about 10 kilometres away near Chikkaballapur refer to Bana Vidhyadhara’s wife presenting a gift to the temple.

These are all indirect references, as neither of the two large twin temples is specifically mentioned. The Bhoganandiswara and Arunachaleswara temples are dated to the 10th and 9th centuries, respectively, based on architecture and iconography. The temple was later patronised by several notable South Indian dynasties, all of which contributed to the current form: the Ganga Dynasty, the Hoysala Empire, and the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Architecture of Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The temple complex contains two large shrines: Bhoganandiswara and Arunachaleswara. They have very similar architecture but are not identical. The “Arunachaleswara” shrine, which is located to the south of the two, is newer and has slightly more complex artwork. Both houses have a large courtyard and an open sabha-mandapa. Each has a navaranga, an antarala, a sukanasi, a garbhagriya, and a vimana in the Dravida style. Jali are perforated stone screens that line the vestibule and hall. Each shrine has a nandi mantapa (hall with a sculpted image of Nandi the bull) in front of the sanctum.

The “Uma-Maheshwara” shrine is located between the twin temples and features a kalyana mantapa (“marriage alter”) supported by ornate black stone pillars with reliefs depicting the Hindu gods Shiva and his consort Parvati, Brahma and Saraswathi, Vishnu and Lakshmi, the Vedic god of fire Agni and Swaha Devi. In front is a meticulously carved black stone kalyana-mandapa with decorative creepers and birds that, according to ASI, “excels beyond those found in later era Hoysala temples.”

The two major shrines are surrounded by pyramidal and tiered towers (shikhara). Each major shrine has a large linga (the universal symbol of the god Shiva) in the sanctum, as well as a sculpture of Nandi (the bull) in a pavilion facing the shrine. According to Michell, a pavilion with elegant pillars was added between the two major shrines during the 16th-century Vijayanagara period.

The pillars are made of grey-green granite and have relief sculptures of attendant maidens. Michell believes the minor “Uma-Maheshwara” shrine was added between the two major shrines (behind the pavilion) during the Gowdas of the Yelahanka dynasty’s post-Vijayanagara rule. A procession of deities and sages is depicted in wall relief at the minor shrine. The wall that connects the two major shrines was cleverly built to blend in with the two original shrines. In addition, a large pillared hall was built in front of the two major shrines.

Important Facts About Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

• The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple on top of the hill is famous for the massive bull statue in front of it.
• This temple is an excellent example of South Indian temple architecture. It is one of the best temples near Bangalore as well as a great one-day trip from Bangalore.
• Originally built by the Nolamba dynasty in the 9th century, the temple has received significant contributions from rulers of the Ganga, Chola, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara dynasties.
• The temple has beautiful architecture and sculptures. In front of the magnificent gateway, the large temple complex has a large open area.
• The main enclosure contains three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva: Bhoga Nandeeshwara, Arunachaleswara, and Ardhanareewara (also known as Uma Maheshwara), as well as several other shrines on the temple’s back side.
• The large mandapa in front of the main shrines is beautifully carved with images of gods, animals, puranic characters, sages, and scenes from Hindu Culture on each pillar.
• The Vasantha mandapa built in front of the Ardhanareeswraa shrine is the temple’s main attraction.
• The kalyana mandapa, built during the Hoysala period, is breathtakingly beautiful, with passionately carved pillars, an artistic roof, and intricately carved images of Shiva, Parvathi, Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Brahma, Saraswathi, Surya, and his consort in various corners of the mandapa.
• The sculptures are carved with great detail and care for every minute detail using black granite in the signature Hoysala style.
• The shrine’s outer walls are also adorned with intricate carvings. The other two shrines, Bhoganandeeswara and Arunachaleswara, have large maha mandapas followed by Shivalinga sanctums.
• The large Nandi, which stands opposite the Bhoga Nandeeswara temple, is beautifully carved and has a small mandapa.
• The vimanas of the main shrines are small but beautifully constructed in Dravidian style. The Devi temple, located on the western side of the main shrines, is well worth a visit.
• The sapta rishi carvings on the outer walls of these shrines are not to be missed.
• The beautiful temple tank located on the northern side of the main shrine is a must-see. Large corridors have been built all around the tank.
• The Archaeology department is currently in charge of maintaining the temple. Visitors to the temple are given a free lunch.

Best Time to Visit Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

Famous Festivals In Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

• Chariot Festival – This festival is celebrated during Jan-Feb with great joy and enthusiasm.
• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.

How to Reach Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

By Air: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru which is located at a distance of 36.7 km from Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Nandi Halt railway Station which is 2 km from Temple. You Can Take a Taxi/Local Vehicle To Reach the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple.

By Road: The Nearest Bus Station is KSRTC Bus Depot, Vapasandra, Chikaballapur which is 7.8 km from Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple.

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