Information of Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Chikballapur, Karnataka

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a splendid Hindu stone temple located on the foothills of Nandhi Hills in Chikballapur district 60 km from Bangalore City of Karnataka State in India. It is a local temple for Banglorites and many marriage ceremonies are conducted here for its pride of this temple's beautiful carved mandapa (porch). It is an ancient temple known for more than 1000 years here. It was a patron temple for Cholas kingdom, The Hoysalyas and the Vijayanagara Empire. When they ruled this region, they added their architecture in it. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva. This temple is also known for its Kalyani pond. Inside one can find 3 temples known as the Bhoga Nandeeshwara as the main temple and the other two are Uma Maheshwara Temple and the Arunachaleshwara Temple.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Religious Significance

It is one of the ancient temple to have the deity of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi together in a same temple. Hence, it became a major temple place for conduction temple marriages here. It was a pride for peoples getting married in the ancient grand stone mandapa. One the eve of Shiva Rathri many devotees gather here for the grand rituals performed here. This temple is conducting an annual festival, which is a great retreat for its local peoples. On the eve of new moon day many women devotees come here with various wishes to be fulfilled by the god's grace. The daily poojas are conducted here very traditionally.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Mythology & History

This temple is beautifully located near the origin of 5 Rivers from 5 different hills. These rivers are now called as the Swarnamukhi, Palar, Akravathy, Pinakini and Papagni. Since, most of the ancient temples were built near rivers. The myth behind this temple is that the great Nandhi temple is built at the top of this hill, which is known as the Demi-God or the Lord Shiva's Vahana. The main temple of lord Shiva is built on the foot hills as a parent god. It is also believed from the ancient times, that getting married from this temple mandapa will be blessed with happy and longer married life for the couples.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Architectural Significance

This temple is believed to be built by the Queen Rathna Valli of Bana Kingdom in the 9th century AD. It has adopted the Dravidian architectural pattern. The Cholas kingdom was its main craftsman. They have left a mark of the Cholas kingdom by carving a stone sculpture of the great king the Rajendra Chola, which is found inside the temple premises. This temple is totally made of granite stones. There are many pillars and sculptures carved on monolith stones. It has a grand stone carved mandapa. This has many beautifully carved pillars on it. It contains a large stone roof with manatee works. A temple pond is built here; this is a step like shape lowering down as a tilted pyramid. This pond is totally built of granite stone blocks. There is also a small Nadhi Statue found near the pond. There are three uniquely carved minarets are found on the 3 temples built here. The main temple of Lord Shiva has the biggest minarets. These minarets have beautiful tine carving works all over its tower. This temple is totally fenced with stone walls. It has got a beautiful entrance with a pillared porch and a small tower on it. The inner side one can find many pillar supported structures. It has got very good pillared corridors built just behind the main walls. The complete temple structure is in a rectangular shape, the pond in front of this temple adds a traditional value of a temple structure.