<p>When we visit any ancient monument in the State, we generally forget that there are some beautiful temples to be found right here in Bangalore. The Someshwara temple in the Ulsoor area is one of the oldest monuments in our IT city. While the temple’s actual history is unknown, according to historians, the temple was built by the Yelahanka nadu ruler Jayappa Gowda (1420-1450 AD), the son of Ramabhaire Gowda. These kings were called the ‘Yelahanka nada Prabhus’. One day while King Jayappa Gowda was hunting in a forest near the present Ulsoor area, he felt tired and relaxed under a tree. In a dream, he saw a man before him who told him that a Shivalinga was buried under the spot he was sleeping on. He was asked to retrieve the linga and build a temple. <br /><br />Jayappa Gowda followed the man’s advice and dug up the spot, until the linga was discovered. He erected a small temple of wood and began worshipping the linga. Legend has it that the linga had been worshipped by sage Mandavya. Some historians argue the temple was actually built earlier by the Cholas in the 10th century and renovated by rulers of Yelahanka nadu.<br /><br />The temple has some exquisite features, such as a huge kambha or nandi pillar in front of the beautiful gopura. The gopura is covered with skilfully carved statues of gods and goddesses. The nandi mantapa consists of 48 pillars sporting beautiful carvings of divinities. To the north is the Navagraha temple which has carved pillars depicting the 12 rashis. Two dwarapalakas (guards) watch over the main entrance to the garba gruha (sanctum sanctorum).<br /><br />The temple also houses beautiful sculptures which narrate the story of King Ravana of Lanka lifting Mount Kailasha in a bid to convince Lord Shiva to permanently settle in his kingdom. A carving of Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura is also nearby, along with idols of the nayanmars (Tamil Shaivaite saints). Lord Vishnu and Brahma also have a place at this temple and are worshipped alone with Shiva. <br /><br />Visitors must not miss the carvings of the girija kalyana (the holy wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi). These carvings adorn the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, the seven rishis, the 12 aditya and 11 rudras are also a part of the wedding procession, with King Himalaya performing the kanyadana. A sri chakra is found inside the Kamakshi sannidhi which is a rare thing, as they are usually found only in Mookambika and Sharada temples. Apart from Someshwara, four more lingas –– Bheemeshwara, Nanjundeshwara, Arunachaleshwara and Chandramouleshwara –– grace the temple. In 1982, some miscreants set the temple chariot afire, and a new chariot was built in 1992. The temple is under the Muzrai Department's maintenance. Some areas around the temple were encroached upon, but the State government cleared some of the illegal buildings near the temple kalyani (step-well). This temple must definitely find a place on the maps of city tour operators.</p>
<p>When we visit any ancient monument in the State, we generally forget that there are some beautiful temples to be found right here in Bangalore. The Someshwara temple in the Ulsoor area is one of the oldest monuments in our IT city. While the temple’s actual history is unknown, according to historians, the temple was built by the Yelahanka nadu ruler Jayappa Gowda (1420-1450 AD), the son of Ramabhaire Gowda. These kings were called the ‘Yelahanka nada Prabhus’. One day while King Jayappa Gowda was hunting in a forest near the present Ulsoor area, he felt tired and relaxed under a tree. In a dream, he saw a man before him who told him that a Shivalinga was buried under the spot he was sleeping on. He was asked to retrieve the linga and build a temple. <br /><br />Jayappa Gowda followed the man’s advice and dug up the spot, until the linga was discovered. He erected a small temple of wood and began worshipping the linga. Legend has it that the linga had been worshipped by sage Mandavya. Some historians argue the temple was actually built earlier by the Cholas in the 10th century and renovated by rulers of Yelahanka nadu.<br /><br />The temple has some exquisite features, such as a huge kambha or nandi pillar in front of the beautiful gopura. The gopura is covered with skilfully carved statues of gods and goddesses. The nandi mantapa consists of 48 pillars sporting beautiful carvings of divinities. To the north is the Navagraha temple which has carved pillars depicting the 12 rashis. Two dwarapalakas (guards) watch over the main entrance to the garba gruha (sanctum sanctorum).<br /><br />The temple also houses beautiful sculptures which narrate the story of King Ravana of Lanka lifting Mount Kailasha in a bid to convince Lord Shiva to permanently settle in his kingdom. A carving of Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura is also nearby, along with idols of the nayanmars (Tamil Shaivaite saints). Lord Vishnu and Brahma also have a place at this temple and are worshipped alone with Shiva. <br /><br />Visitors must not miss the carvings of the girija kalyana (the holy wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi). These carvings adorn the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, the seven rishis, the 12 aditya and 11 rudras are also a part of the wedding procession, with King Himalaya performing the kanyadana. A sri chakra is found inside the Kamakshi sannidhi which is a rare thing, as they are usually found only in Mookambika and Sharada temples. Apart from Someshwara, four more lingas –– Bheemeshwara, Nanjundeshwara, Arunachaleshwara and Chandramouleshwara –– grace the temple. In 1982, some miscreants set the temple chariot afire, and a new chariot was built in 1992. The temple is under the Muzrai Department's maintenance. Some areas around the temple were encroached upon, but the State government cleared some of the illegal buildings near the temple kalyani (step-well). This temple must definitely find a place on the maps of city tour operators.</p>
