Kempegowda
I, who founded Bangalore in 1537,in addition
to developing the city of his dreams, also built and renovated
some temples. Today, all these temples attract thousands of
people. One of these well-known temples is Dodda Ganesha Temple
on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi. Once, Kempegowda came across
several huge rocks and boulders and a figure of Ganesha etched
on one of them.
He got his sculptors to convert this figure into a huge and
beautiful single stone idol of Lord Ganesha. Later a thatched
roof was built over the idol. It was only in 1971, that the
Seer of Shringeri Seat- Sri. Shankaracharya laid the foundation
for the present building, with the Rajagopura (tower), which
was inaugurated in 1987. The monolithic Ganesha is about 18
ft in height and 16 ft in width. He is also well known as Shakthi
Ganapathi and Satya Ganapathi. People from all walks of life
come here to seek blessings. What makes this idol more attractive
to the devotees is, the different types of decorations that
are done to it. The most famous is “the butter coating”. More
than 100 kgs of butter is used for this purpose. Starting late
in the evening, the experts complete the ritual by early next
morning.
A
number of other materials like coloured buttons, flowers, lace,
etc., are also placed on the butter to make the Ganesha look
more attractive. On an average this butter coating is done three
to four times a week. The idol is also occasionally decorated
with fruits, vegetables, turmeric and kumkum powder (where a
minimum of 50 kgs of each powder is used). Another old custom,
which continues till date, is the offering of hundreds of coconuts
by the weaving community from the Old City area. They make a
vow and tie a coconut to their looms. Later, along with that,
they break a hundred and one or more coconuts at the temple.
There is a belief that the idol is growing on its right side.
If one looks keenly, it appears that the idol is wider on its
right. It is said that the gap between the wall and the idol
was about a foot a few decades back, and has reduced to only
a few inches now. So the next time you are planning to visit
a special temple, this Ganesha will prove to be an enriching
experience.
5:57:15 AM 
to developing the city of his dreams, also built and renovated
some temples. Today, all these temples attract thousands of
people. One of these well-known temples is Dodda Ganesha Temple
on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi. Once, Kempegowda came across
several huge rocks and boulders and a figure of Ganesha etched
on one of them.
A
number of other materials like coloured buttons, flowers, lace,
etc., are also placed on the butter to make the Ganesha look
more attractive. On an average this butter coating is done three
to four times a week. The idol is also occasionally decorated
with fruits, vegetables, turmeric and kumkum powder (where a
minimum of 50 kgs of each powder is used). Another old custom,
which continues till date, is the offering of hundreds of coconuts
by the weaving community from the Old City area. They make a
vow and tie a coconut to their looms. Later, along with that,
they break a hundred and one or more coconuts at the temple.
