The historical Dodda Basavanna Gudi (which translates into the big Bull Temple) is one of the City's oldest tourist attractions. The City's founder Kempe Gowda built the temple in 1586. The imposing garlanded Nandi, the celestial bull of Lord Shiva, carved out of a single granite rock, is breathtakingly real. The original colour of the bull, gray, has turned black. The bull is believed to have 'grown' from 4.57 metres to its present five metres in height, and 5.10 mts to six mts in length. In an attempt to curb further growth iron rods have been placed on the bull's head.

The temple is built in simple classical Dravidian style - with gray granite polished with a mixture of charcoal and groundnut oil. Its modern gopuram rises gracefully into the sky. Interestingly from the cave temple of Gavi Gangadhareshwara a few roads below, a shaft of light falls on the bull's head, on Makara Sankranthi (mid January) every year.

The story behind the temple:

There are many legends about how the temple came to be. One story relates to the groundnut growing fields around Mavalli, Dasarahalli, Avalahalli, Guttahalli and Kanakanapalya, all surrounding areas of Basavanagudi (which takes its name from this temple).

Groundnut farmers noticed that their fields were ransacked after every full moon. They suspected the handiwork of robbers. To nab them, the farmers armed themselves and waited in the fields on a full moon night. When they heard rustling sounds, one of them swung a crowbar in the direction of the sound, and struck a huge body.

Not wanting to take chances, he thrust the pointed end of the crowbar into it. By now, the other farmers had gathered and to their horror, saw the rod had struck not a 'giant of a thief' but 'a huge bull golden in colour, eyes shining bright like jewels'. As dawn broke, the bull mysteriously disappeared.

The stupefied farmers later learnt that the bull had come to the fields to actually guard the crop. That's when the perplexed farmers first made the connection to the incident and the discovery of a huge stone idol of a bull on top of the hillock. The villagers rushed to it and seeing that the icon was exactly like the slain bull, the farmer who dealt the murderous blow and others begged for forgiveness and sought continued protection.

Legend also has it that when Kempe Gowda, learnt of this story he offered obeisance to Nandi (the bull) and lost no time in building the temple. Thanksgiving to the celestial bull continues even today in the form of Kadalekai Parishe (Groundnut fair) held every year on the last Monday of the month of Kartika - which is believed to bring good rains and bountiful crop.

Click here for an article on Kadlekai Parishe

|