Meenakshi Temple, Ramalingeshwara Temple, Bannerghatta Road

On Saturday, I had been to the Shri Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple and Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple on Bannerghatta Road with my wife and daughter. Approx 20 kms from where I live in Bangalore. Originally, I planned to go to the Someshwara Temple. But I did not feel upto it - fatigue. So, decided to check out a new place inside Bangalore. I had read about the Cave Temple sometime in the Hindu paper. So, this was a good opportunity to check it out.

I had been to Meenakshi Temple a few years back when my friend's elder sister was getting married there. This was only my second visit to the temple. Temple premises are immaculately maintained. Despite the sun being overhead, the compound did not feel all that hot. It was calm and cool. When we reached the temple, there was barely anybody inside, which is good if you are looking for some quiet time in a temple and soak in the positive aura that abounds in any temple. We did some archanas for the deities. Lord Shiva has been enshrined here as Lord Sundareshwara and Goddess Parvati has been enshrined as Goddess Meenakshi.


Meenakshi Temple - Sundareshwara Sannidhi from the back


Meenakshi Temple - Meenakshi Amma Sannidhi from the back


Meenakshi Temple - Main Entrance Gopuram


Some play with aperture... Dwaja Stambha and Gopuram as a silhoutte

I have searched all over internet and asked a few friends for any information on timings of this temple, but much in vain. Therefore, I am herewith providing the temple timings for the benefit of those who are looking to visit this temple shortly, or sometime in their lives...
Monday to Saturday, except Friday: 6:30AM to 12:30PM, 4:00PM to 8:30PM
Friday: 6:30AM to 1:00PM, 4:00PM to 8:30PM
Sunday: 6:30AM to 1:00PM, 3:00PM to 8:30PM

After the Meenakshi Temple, we went to the Ramalingeshwara Temple. Coming from Bangalore city, this temple is located a wee bit before you take the u-turn to go towards the Meenakshi Temple. There are no sign boards showing directions to the temple. Just a thumb rule. As and when you spot the Meenakshi Temple from about 1/4th a kilometer away, keep an eye for a rough road to your left. At the turn, you would be able to see the Meenakshi Temple to your right (diagonally). Take that turn. Barely about half a kilometer or probably less than that... you will see a small compound wall and a huge rock nestled beneath some tall trees. That is the place. Park just beside the compound wall and walk inside.

At the time when I went, the place was barely green. It was dusty and mostly a picture of neglect. Straight from the gate, is a small passage between 2 walls that leads you into the cave. Once inside the call, you experience a cool draught of air that is very refreshing. The cave is located beneath a huge monolothic granite rock. It is reputed to be over 2000 years old and is protected by the ASI. Upon entering the cave, you see a temple to the left, a samadhi straight ahead and a meditation hall to the right. Thats it. The interiors are minimal. The temple has the following deities carved out in the rock - Shiva Linga, Nandi, Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Ganesha, Garuda and a panchaloha idol of Goddess Rajarajeshwari. To the right of the temple, is the Yoga Peetha believed to be more than 200 years old where Shri Ramanand Swamiji is said to have meditated. The meditation hall - as it should be - is also minimal and refresheningly silent. One sit here in peace and meditate.


Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple - Path leading to the cave


Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple - Shri Ramanand Swamiji Samadhi


Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple - Meditation Hall

We had to reach home to take care of some other essentials and so left quickly. It was a quick trip, and a good one at that. If you travel along Bannerghatta Road sometime, make it a point to visit these temples.

Keshava Temple, Somnathpura

I had been to Somnathpura in October 2005, thanks to the recommendation from my friend, Naresh Vedagiri (avid photographer). Presenting some pics here that should make you visit this place. I might be driving back to this place next Saturday! Mmmm...

Somnathpura is third of the 3 great Hoysala architecture temples, the other 2 being Belur and Halebid. Though Belur and Halebid are touted as international tourist destinations close to Hassan, west from Bangalore, I personally felt Somnathpura was a better exhibition of beautiful exquisite architecture. It is also the most well maintained of the 3. Halebid is incomplete and has suffered most damage amongst the 3. There are 2 deities in this temple and both temples are connected to each other on the same platform. Belur temple has beautiful apsara sculptures and many other intricate carvings. I have been to all these temples, and somehow Somnathpura appealed to me the most.

Somnathpura has a very unique star shaped design. There are 3 gopuras, one for each garbha griha. The 3 deities are Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala.


Somnathpura Temple - 3 gopuras. Courtesy from an online blog.


Somnathpura Temple - Star design evident in the silhoutte


Somnathpura Temple - Walls, Compound, Blue Skies... everything!


Somnathpura Temple - Exquisite architecture


Somnathpura temple - Details in panelling


Somnathpura Temple - Goddess Saraswati


Somnathpura Temple - Delicate patterns carved on the roof.

A quick fact about these temples. These temples were made out of a stone mined from the earth and were carved when it was still soft. These stones became hard on exposure to atmosphere. And what you get to see is something truly heavenly.

Read more about the temple and its architecture at this link and this link.

How to get there?

From Bangalore: Take the Mysore Road and continue on towards Mysore on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. It has been widened into a 4 lane highway and obviously a pleasure to drive on. It is about 140 kms SE from Bangalore. As you approach Srirangapatnam, you get a diversion for Somnathpura. Take that diversion and Somnathpura is about 28 kms from that point. You can return via the same route.

From Mysore: Proceed towards T Narsipura and then proceed towards Somnathpura. It is just 35 kms or so from Mysore.

Where to eat?
If you intend to go to Mysore, you should go to the old Dasaprakash hotel for a true treat of South Indian cuisine. You will smack your lips and lick your fingers long after you are done eating, for the taste of the great food will linger on for a long time. And if you are on your way to Mysore or returning to Bangalore, stop by at Kamat's for a taste of North Kanara cuisine. Specifically ask for North Kanara Thali.