Sri Hale Mariamma Temple: Ancient Guardian of Kapu - A Sacred Legacy of Divine Protection Nestled in the coastal town of Kapu near Udupi in Karnataka, the Sri Hale Mariamma Temple stands as one of the region's most ancient and revered spiritual centers. Known locally as 'Hale Marigudi', this sacred shrine has been the spiritual anchor for countless devotees who venerate Goddess Mariamma as 'Kapuda Appe' - the divine Mother of Kapu. For centuries, pilgrims from across Karnataka and neighboring states have journeyed here, drawn by the temple's powerful spiritual energy and the goddess's reputation for protection and divine intervention. Historical Foundations and Royal Patronage The temple's origins are deeply intertwined with the political history of coastal Karnataka. Following the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Keladi Nayakas emerged as the dominant rulers of the region. Historical records indicate that in 1743, Keladi ruler Basappa Nayaka co...

Mylara Jatre - The Sacred Legacy of Mylara Lingeshwara Temple: Karnataka's Grand Karnikotsava Festival In the heart of Karnataka's spiritual landscape lies one of the state's most magnificent religious celebrations - the Mylara Lingeshwara Temple Hunnime Festival, commonly known as Mylara Jatre or Mailar Gudda Karnikotsava festival. Mylara Jatre 2026 date from January 25 to February 1. Bharat Hunnime or the main festival is on February 1. This extraordinary gathering transforms the sacred grounds of Mailaragudda in Hadagali Taluk, Bellary district, into a vibrant tapestry of devotion, tradition, and divine communion that attracts over half a million pilgrims annually. Date And Time - the festival is held from Magh Shukla Paksha Saptami to Magh Purnima. The Sacred Setting and Divine Presence Mailaragudda, meaning the hill of Lord Mailara, stands as a testament to Karnataka's rich spiritual heritage. The temple dedicated to Lord Mylara Lingeshwara, considered an incar...

Kadri Manjunatha Temple: Ancient Shiva Shrine in Mangalore The Kadri Manjunatha Temple , nestled in Mangalore, Karnataka , is a historic and highly revered Hindu temple dedicated primarily to Lord Manjunatha , a significant incarnation of Lord Shiva . This ancient shrine is a prominent spiritual landmark and a must-visit for devotees and tourists exploring   Mangalore's religious heritage . 📍 Location : Kadri Hill, Mangalore Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, India 🗺️ Setting : Nestled at the base of the picturesque Kadri Hill, within the city yet surrounded by lush greenery, rocky formations, sacred ponds, and natural springs. 🕉️ Spiritual Significance & History 📖 Mention in Ancient Scriptures : The temple is prominently mentioned in the Bharadwaja Samhita , a unique and ancient text that highlights its sanctity and origin. The site where the temple now stands was once known as Suvarna Kadali Vana (Golden Banana Grove). It was revered as Sarva ...

  Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Annual Festival and Other Celebrations The Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple, located in the serene village of Polali in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, is one of the most revered temples in the region. Nestled amidst lush green paddy fields and coconut groves, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Rajarajeshwari, a powerful manifestation of Shakti (divine feminine energy). This ancient temple, with a history dating back centuries, attracts thousands of devotees every year, particularly during its grand annual festival and other significant celebrations. Annual Festival – A Month-long Spiritual Celebration The highlight of the temple's festive calendar is the Annual Festival , observed in the month of Meena , which typically falls between mid-March and mid-April. This festival is not just a spiritual event but a cultural phenomenon, bringing together people from across Karnataka and neighboring states. The celebration lasts for an entire month ...

Bannerghatta Champakadhama Swamy temple, located on Bannerghatta road at Anekal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, is dedicated to Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu and he is worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhudevi.  Trikala Pooja  (rituals performed three times daily) is conducted for the deity. The temple is famous for a sacred kalyani or temple tank - bathing in it on Amavasya day helps in curing of skin diseases. Bannerghatta Champakadhama Swamy Temple - History - Story Shri Champakadhama Swamy Temple is an ancient temple that dates back to the 12th century CE , making it approximately 900 years old . This temple was constructed by the Chola dynasty , and the main idol (Moola Murti) is believed to have been consecrated by sages (Rishis) . The current Champakadhama Swamy temple stands on a site with a rich history: it was once home to a Lord Sri Rama temple in the Treta Yuga and a Lord Sri Krishna temple in the Dwapara Yuga. Today, in the Kali Yuga, Lord Narayana is worshipp...

Shri Banashankari Temple – A Sacred Landmark in Bengaluru Location & Historical Significance: Shri Banashankari Temple is situated on S. Kariappa Road in Bengaluru city. It is one of the well-known temples in Karnataka and holds a prominent place among the spiritual landmarks of the state. The temple dates back to the 20th century and has a history of 106 years . It was originally built and consecrated in 1915 . Main Deity and Symbolism: The presiding deity of the temple is Shri Banashankari Devi , a powerful and revered form of the Divine Mother (Shakti) . The idol here is a man-made (installed) murti , as opposed to a self-manifested one ( Swayambhu ). Symbolically, Banashankari is considered a fierce form of Goddess Parvati , often depicted riding a lion , embodying courage, protection, and the destruction of evil. The goddess is called Banashankari because she was originally worshipped in the forests (bana) of Badami, linking her name to both the place and the sacred w...

Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple is located at Vasantapur in Bengaluru South. The shrine is dedicated to Srinivasa or Venkateswara Swamy. Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple is an ancient temple dating back to the 12th century, making it around 1200 years old. This temple was built by the Chola dynasty and is situated on the Guptagiri hill. The area around the temple has recently become urbanized. Lord Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy is enshrined here along with Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, and Neela Devi (Vasanthanayaki Padmavati). Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple - Story At this holy site, the sage Mandavya, who came from Badarikashrama, once stayed for a day. During his stay, he had a divine vision of Lord Srinivasa, and a naturally formed (Swayambhu) idol was found inside the sanctum sanctorum. Mandavya Rishi performed penance and had the darshan of Lord Srinivasa, after which he consecrated the idol at this place. It is believed that after marrying Padmavati at Narayanavan...

Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, located on Swami Vivekananda Road – Bengaluru North in Karnataka, has a history of more than 250 years. Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is believed to date back to the 18th century, and it is estimated to be around 250 years old. However, there are no references to it in any inscriptional texts or scriptures. Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple Story Many years ago, there was a large anthill at this location, and devotees used to worship it regularly. One day, a royal family member, while on his way to Madras, saw the gathered devotees and asked about the special significance of the place. The devotees explained that they had made vows and offered prayers to the anthill, believing that the Nagaraja (Serpent King) residing there would bless them by removing their difficulties and bringing prosperity. One member of the royal entourage was suffering from an eye affliction and made a vow for healing. Eventually, with the blessings of Lord Subrahmanya , his vision ...

Shri Someshwaraswamy Temple dates back to the 13th century and is believed to have been built during the Chola period. Some sources even suggest that it could be around 1500 years old. However, when observing the structure, priests and devotees opine that it likely belongs to the 13th century. Yet, there are no inscriptions or historical texts that confirm this. Halasuru Sri Someshwara Swamy Temple Story It is believed that one day, Sri Jayappa Gowda , the ruler of Yelahanka, came to this place for hunting, driven by divine inspiration. Tired from his journey, he lay down to rest under a tree. While sleeping, he fell into a deep slumber and had a vision of Lord Someshwara Swamy  appearing before him in a dream. The Lord said: "In earlier times, this sacred place was worshipped with great devotion by the sage Mandavya. But due to the influence of the Kali Yuga, people's devotion has declined. This holy land is now plagued by religious intolerance and divine afflictions. Fals...

50 feet Road Sri Kumaraswamy temple is located in Bengaluru South, Karnataka, and is dedicated to various gods from Hindu pantheon. The shrine is today noted for its towering Rajagopuram. Sri Kumaraswamy Temple History It is believed that the renowned Nadaprabhu of Bengaluru, Sri Kempegowda , established a Shivalinga on the hillock of Gondaranya in the southern part of Bengaluru nearly 400 years ago . In 1901 , Justice T. Narahariraya constructed the front hall (mantapa) and a gopuram . The hill was thus referred to as Narahariraya’s hill . In 1924 , Mahamahopadhyaya Vidyanidhi Siddhanti Sri S. Shivashankara Shastri , a court scholar of Mysore's Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar , installed a Saligrama stone idol of Sri Panchamukha Ganapati (a lion-mounted, five-faced, curved-trunked form), along with a six-sided copper plaque depicting Uma Maheshwara, Ganga, Gayatri, and Nava Shakti , marking the start of the ritualistic processions (Kavadis) . In 1954 , Sri Siddhanti Subramany...

Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple Malleswaram: A Legacy of Faith and Festivals Nestled on 11th Cross in the historic suburb of Malleswaram, Bengaluru, the Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple stands as a beacon of devotion and communal resilience. Established in the wake of a devastating plague, this temple has grown into a vital spiritual center, where centuries‑old Vedic rites and lively festivals draw thousands of worshippers each year. Historical Background In 1898, Malleswaram endured a virulent plague that claimed countless lives and left the community in distress. To seek divine intervention, local leaders and Mysore’s royal family—descended from the same lineage as Lord Krishna—came together. On 22 August 1902, following strict Pancharatra and Vedic ritual practices, the sanctum was consecrated and the idol of Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy was installed. Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar and other members of the Wodeyar dynasty generously funded the construction, while re...

The Kote Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Balaji or Venkateswara (a form of Bhagavan Vishnu), is located on K. R. Road in Bengaluru South, Karnataka. The history of this shrine is associated with the Wodeyar family, Tipu Sultan, and Hyder Ali. The temple is also famous for a unique Kurma Avatar temple. Kote Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple History Kote Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple is an ancient temple that reflects the glorious past of the old Mysore region and reveals the historical events that took place during that time. This temple houses the idol of Sri Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy , which is about 4 feet tall and made of Salagrama sila (sacred stones with striations and holes from Gandaki River in Nepal). The idol was installed in the 15th century by Sri Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar , the then ruler of the Mysore kingdom. During the reign of his son, Sri Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar , four villages were donated permanently to ensure the uninterrupted daily worship of...

Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani: The Hidden 400‑Year‑Old Nandi Temple of Malleswaram Short Note on the Temple Nestled on 15th Cross in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, the Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra stands as a singular dedication to Nandi, the sacred bull and vahana of Lord Shiva. Believed by locals to date back some 400 years, this temple lay buried and forgotten until its dramatic rediscovery in 1997, when construction work on the site revealed an intact stone courtyard, a black‑stone Nandi, and a flowing spring whose source remains a mystery. History and Rediscovery For centuries, the plot at 15th Cross served no apparent purpose, until a builder’s excavation in 1997 unearthed what appeared to be a forgotten shrine. Supported by sturdy stone pillars, the courtyard emerged in pristine condition. At its far end, the black‑stone Nandi statue—its eyes painted in gold—stood poised, water streaming from its mouth. Below, on a lower terrace, a matching black‑stone Shival...