Sri Someshwara Temple, located in the heart of Bengaluru, the 1250-year-old temple boasts rich architectural heritage. This temple was built by the Chola dynasty and revamped by the Vijayanagar kings.

 

According to many historians, the temple follows many elements from Vijayanagar architecture at a lower scale. The uniquely constructed Shiva temple has a square sanctum (garbhagriha) surrounded by several narrow passageway which connects to mantapa’s. These manatapa are enhanced with the help of rectangular pedestals and frieze sculptures. The temple has an open hall consisting of forty-eight pillars and several bays.

 

The monumental tower right outside the temple called gopuram, which is built in a typical 16th century style.
The tower wall and the pillars of the temple are bedecked with intricate carvings of the divine deities. However, there were modifications made in the temple during Vijayanagar empire. They had elaborated sculpture of Ravana holding the Kailas parvata to please the lord Shiva on one of the pillars, goddess Durga killing the demon Mahishasura and images of Saptharishis’s are carved on the pillars.

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The temple is built in VIjayanagara style, which has notable carvings on the placid interiors, the entire temple premises are dotted with smaller shrines of deities like
Bhimeshwra, Nanjundeshwara, Arunachaleshwara and Panchalingeshwara. The temple is one of the most popular attractions in Bengaluru.