Halasuru Someshwara Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

12

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam adorned with silver/gold kavacha in inner sanctum

Religious tradition

Agamic Shaiva Tradition

Sanskrit name

श्री सोमेश्वर मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Halasuru Someshwara Temple, Ulsoor Someshwara Gudi, Kempe Gowda Someshwara Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

12:30 PM - 05:00 PM (on regular weekdays)

Special days

Maha Shivaratri: 04:00 AM - 11:30 PM (Continuous Darshan)

Festival timings

Open continuously throughout the night on Maha Shivaratri

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:00 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

07:00 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri

Ritual schedule

Suprabhatam, Rudrabhishekam, Bilvarchana, Alankara, Sandhya Deeparadhana, Ekantha Seva

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

06:30 AM - 08:30 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Cholas; substantially expanded and reconstructed by Kempe Gowda I (founder of Bengaluru)

Architect / builder

Master traditional Vijayanagara stone guilds

Construction materials

Dressed granite stone blocks, carved pillars, brick-and-lime Rajagopuram

Historical events

Renovated and maintained under Karnataka State Muzrai (Endowments) Department and local trustee board

Renovations

Renovated and maintained under Karnataka State Muzrai (Endowments) Department and local trustee board

Archaeological importance

Heritage monument representing the foundational history of Bengaluru city

Legends

Traditional belief: Kempe Gowda fell asleep under a tree while hunting and had a divine vision of Lord Someshwara commanding him to build a temple

Inscriptions

Tamil and Kannada inscriptions recording Chola and Vijayanagara endowments on the temple base

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

13th - 16th Century CE

Structure

Walled urban temple complex with towering Rajagopuram, broad open pradakshina courtyard, mukhamandapa, and Kalyana Mandapa

Floors

1

Gopuram

Impressive multi-tiered entrance Rajagopuram decorated with stucco sculptures of Shaivite devatas

Mandapa

Open Mukhamandapa supported by intricately carved monolithic granite pillars depicting warriors on horseback and gods

Sculptural features

Ancient Shiva Lingam; carved stone Nandi; dynamic wall reliefs depicting Girija Kalyana (wedding of Shiva and Parvati)

Artistic elements

Intricate ceiling medallions, makara toranas, and embossed brass kalyana mantapa

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite masonry designed for durability

Unique features

The legendary connection with Bengaluru’s founder Kempe Gowda and the grand Brahmotsavam car festival in the heart of the city

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri), Chaitra Brahmotsavam

Special celebration days

Every Monday, Pradosham, Masa Shivaratri

Cultural events

Classical Carnatic concerts, Nadaswaram, and devotional bhajans during Shivaratri and Brahmotsavam

Annual events

Halasuru Someshwara Pallakki Utsava and Maha Rathotsava through Ulsoor streets

Peak crowd season

November to February and during Maha Shivaratri

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

20-30 vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.