Top 10 Temples to Visit in Bangalore for Spiritual Experiences
Bangalore isn’t just tech bros, filter coffee, and traffic that tests your karma. Beneath the buzz of startups and Uber horns lies a quieter, older rhythm — one carved in stone, chanted in Sanskrit, and perfumed with incense instead of diesel. If you’ve been meaning to swap screen time for a little soul time, the city’s temples might just be your gateway to peace (and maybe enlightenment, if you can find parking).
Temple to Visit in Bangalore
Whether you’re into ancient cave vibes, majestic idols, or hilltop shrines that double as sunset spots, Bangalore’s spiritual side has something for everyone, believers, sceptics, and explorers. So, in case you’re wondering which temple to visit in Bangalore, here’s a temple trail that blends history, calm, and a dash of divine drama.
1. ISKCON Bangalore (Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Mandir, Hare Krishna Hill)
If “divine but make it aesthetic” had a location, this would be it. Perched on Hare Krishna Hill, ISKCON Bangalore is equal parts architectural marvel and serene sanctuary. Inaugurated in 1997, the temple sprawls across seven acres of beautifully maintained space — think grand domes, marble floors, and bhajans that sound straight out of a Spotify “Chill Devotion” playlist.
Pro tip: Go early morning or around sunset. Avoid Janmashtami unless you enjoy crowds that rival a concert.
2. Bull Temple (Nandi Temple), Basavanagudi
This one’s classic old-school Bangalore, the kind your grandparents still brag about. Built in the 16th century in Vijayanagara style, the temple houses a massive Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull) carved from a single rock and is recommended as a temple to visit in Bangalore.
The temple area comes alive during the Kadalekai Parishe (groundnut fair), when the streets are filled with lights, food stalls, and enough festive chaos to make your heart happy.
Pro tip: Comfortable shoes and modest clothes. Early mornings are peaceful; afternoons are selfie central.
3. Ragigudda Sree Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple
Nestled in Jayanagar, this hillock temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is surprisingly tranquil despite being in the middle of the city. Built in the late ’60s, Ragigudda spans about five acres and features a lovely temple tank (pushkarni) and a sweeping city view that’s perfect for an evening pause.
What makes it special: The energy is infectious, especially during Hanuman Jayanti, when the chants echo through the hills. Plus, if you’re lazy or nursing bad knees, there’s a lift to the top. Bless modernity.
Pro tip: Early mornings or weekday visits are your best bet for peace (and good parking).
Also Read: Famous Parks in Bangalore for Nature Lovers
4. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
For the Indiana Jones of the temple circuit, this is a temple to visit in Bangalore. Carved into rock in Gavipuram, this 16th-century cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is as mysterious as it sounds. The main attraction? The way sunlight passes through the horns of the Nandi statue and lands directly on the Shiva Linga during certain days of the year. It’s ancient astronomy meets divine design.
Pro tip: Visit around Makara Sankranti to witness the light phenomenon — but brace for crowds. Bring water; cave humidity is real.
5. Kadu Malleshwara Temple, Malleshwaram
“Kadu” means forest — and when this temple was built in the 1600s, Malleshwaram was apparently a jungle. Now it’s a lively, tree-lined neighbourhood with plenty of dosa stops. The temple, dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva), still carries a sense of old-world grace with its Dravidian architecture and tranquil courtyard.
Pro tip: Go during Shivaratri for a festival that feels both ancient and electric. Afterwards, hit one of Malleshwaram’s old cafés for coffee and contemplation.
6. Someshwara Temple, Ulsoor
If you love heritage spots, Someshwara is surely a temple to visit in Bangalore. Believed to be one of the oldest in Bangalore (some say over a thousand years), this holy site dedicated to Lord Shiva has stood witness to the city’s transformation from sleepy village to tech capital. The carvings, pillars, and calm aura remind you that the city you see today wasn’t always about IT and iced lattes.
Pro tip: Evenings around sunset are magical. Combine the visit with a short stroll around Ulsoor Lake for that old-Bangalore charm.
7. Chokkanathaswamy Temple, Domlur
One of Bangalore’s oldest Vishnu temples, this 12th-century shrine is a quiet pocket of history tucked between flyovers and office blocks. The temple has ancient inscriptions in Tamil and Kannada, speaking of land grants and donations from centuries ago.
What makes it special: You can actually feel the age here — the stone corridors, the stillness, the faint smell of jasmine and oil lamps.
Pro tip: It’s compact, so you won’t need long — perfect for a quick spiritual breather before a workday.
8. Nandi Tirtha (Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra), Malleswaram
This one’s a true hidden gem. Buried for centuries and rediscovered only in the late ’90s, this underground Shiva temple features a fascinating water channel where sacred water continuously flows from Nandi’s mouth onto a Shiva Linga. The entire place feels like it’s been frozen in time — cool, calm, and incredibly photogenic.
Pro tip: Visit early morning for quiet meditation vibes. It’s small but deeply peaceful.
Also Read: Things to Do in Bangalore
9. Banashankari Devi Temple
Located on Kanakapura Road, this temple dedicated to Goddess Banashankari (a form of Parvati) is one of the city’s most beloved. The temple buzzes with activity during the Ashada month (July–August), when the grand Banashankari Jatre, a local fair, lights up the entire area. Think flowers, music, and festive spirit galore.
Pro tip: Visit during the fair for the full experience, or on weekday mornings for calm. Bonus — great local street food nearby.
10. Ranganathaswamy Temple, Chickpet
This one’s for the heritage buffs. Hidden amidst the bustle of Chickpet’s silk shops, the Ranganathaswamy Temple dates back to the 16th century and blends Vijayanagara and Hoysala architectural styles. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his reclining form, it’s a lovely reminder of how history and spirituality coexist in the heart of a busy market.
Pro tip: Go early before the shops open. The temple feels otherworldly when the city’s still waking up.
Final Musings: How To Do a Bangalore Temple Crawl
All set to visit the ‘tourist temples in Bangalore’, let’s do it right-
Timing is everything. Mornings are pure calm; evenings are scenic but crowded.
Map your route. Don’t spend your day worshipping traffic lights instead of deities.
Dress code. Keep it simple and respectful. Plan accordingly.
Carry water, maybe a snack, and a sense of humour. You’ll need all three.
If you’re wondering how to commute, try Revv, the best car rental in Bangalore is always a smart thing to do. And if booking through Revv, there’s doorstep delivery and super flexible plans, starting at just ₹33 per hour, with daily, weekly, monthly, or long-term options. You can go fuel-included or pay as you go, and there are unlimited-kilometre options so you don’t have to stress about how far you roam.
So there you go – ten best temples to visit in Bangalore, that prove the city is more than just glass towers and Wi-Fi. Whether you’re seeking silence, stories, or just an excuse to step away from Slack notifications, these spiritual spots promise a little calm in the chaos. After all, in this city, finding peace is its own kind of pilgrimage.
