Bengaluru
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
, the capital of
Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
state, India, reflects its multireligious and cosmopolitan character by its more than 1000
temple
A temple (from the Latin ) is a place of worship, a building used for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. By convention, the specially built places of worship of some religions are commonly called "temples" in Engli ...
s, 400
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
s, 100
churches, 40
Jain derasar
A Jain temple, Derasar (Gujarati: દેરાસર) or Basadi (Kannada: ಬಸದಿ) is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism. Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and Jain buildings gen ...
s, three
Sikh
Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...
gurdwara
A gurdwara or gurudwara () is a place of assembly and place of worship, worship in Sikhism, but its normal meaning is "place of guru" or "home of guru". Sikhism, Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as ''Gurdwara Sahib''. People from all faiths and rel ...
s, two Buddhist
viharas and one
Parsi
The Parsis or Parsees () are a Zoroastrian ethnic group in the Indian subcontinent. They are descended from Persian refugees who migrated to the Indian subcontinent during and after the Arab-Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century, w ...
fire temple
A fire temple (; ) is a place of worship for Zoroastrians.
In Zoroastrian doctrine, ''atar'' and '' aban'' (fire and water) are agents of ritual purity.
Clean, white "ash for the purification ceremonies sregarded as the basis of ritual lif ...
located in an area of 741 km
2 of the metropolis.
The religious places are further represented to include the few members of the
Jewish
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
community who are making their presence known through the
Chabad
Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (; ; ), is a dynasty in Hasidic Judaism. Belonging to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) branch of Orthodox Judaism, it is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, as well as one of ...
that they propose to establish in Bengaluru and the fairly large number of the
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the Baháʼí Faith and the unity of religion, essential worth of all religions and Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity, the unity of all people. Established by ...
whose presence is registered with a society called the Baháʼí Centre.
In the demographically diverse, major economic hub and India's fastest-growing major metropolis of Bengaluru, the number of religious places of each religion reported reflects growth in proportion to the population growth. According to the
2001 census of India
The 2001 census of India was the 14th in a series of censuses held in India every decade since 1871.
The population of India was counted as 1,028,737,436 consisting of 532,223,090 males and 496,514,346 females. The total population increased b ...
, 79.37% of Bengaluru's population is Hindu, roughly the same as the
national average.
Muslims comprise 13.37% of the population, which again is roughly the same as the national average, while Christians and Jains account for 5.79% and 1.05% of the population, respectively, double that of their national averages.
Anglo-Indian
Anglo-Indian people are a distinct minority group, minority community of mixed-race British and Indian ancestry. During the colonial period, their ancestry was defined as British paternal and Indian maternal heritage; post-independence, "Angl ...
s also form a substantial group within the city.
Hindus and temples
The thousand and odd number of Hindu temples in Bengaluru mirrors the majority population of the city whose earliest traditional Hindu temple is traced to the
Domlur
Domlur is a small township located in the eastern part of Bangalore city in India. Domlur was included in the erstwhile Bangalore Cantonment, Bangalore Civil and Military Station under the British Madras Presidency till it was transferred to t ...
Chokkanatha temple of the
Chola dynasty
The Chola dynasty () was a Tamil dynasty originating from Southern India. At its height, it ruled over the Chola Empire, an expansive maritime empire. The earliest datable references to the Chola are from inscriptions dated to the 3rd cen ...
period (10th century). The next oldest temple is the
Halasuru Someshwara Temple
Halasuru Someshwara Temple is a Hindu temple, located in the neighborhood of Halasuru in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is one of the old temples in the city dating back to the Chola period, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Major addit ...
Ulsoor (of the
Hoysala Empire
The Hoysala Kingdom was a kingdom originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, India, Karnataka, parts of Tamilnadu and South-Western Telangana between the 11th and the 14th centuries Common Era, CE. The c ...
built between the 12th and 13th centuries – a combination of Hoysala, Chola, and
Vijayanagara architecture
Vijayanagara architecture of 1336–1565 CE was a notable building idiom that developed during the rule of the imperial Hindu Vijayanagara Empire. The empire ruled South India, from their regal capital at Vijayanagara, on the banks of the Tung ...
), which was renovated and beautified by three generations of the Yelahanka dynasty-–Gidde Gowda,
Kempe Gowda I
Kempe Gowda I (27 June 1510 – 1569) locally venerated as Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, or commonly known as Kempe Gowda, was a governor under the Vijayanagara Empire in History of India, early-modern India. He is famous for the development of Beng ...
and II.
[
]
Halasuru Someshwara Temple, Halasuru
Halasuru Someshwara Temple in Halasuru
Halasuru, known as Ulsoor during the British Rule, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city of Bengaluru. It is in central Bengaluru, and begins near the eastern terminus of Mahatma Gandhi Raste. It is renowned for its numerous temple ...
(Ulsoor) is a dedicated to the deity Someshwara (the Hindu god Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
). It is the oldest temple in the city and dates back to the Chola
The Chola Empire, which is often referred to as the Imperial Cholas, was a medieval thalassocratic empire based in southern India that was ruled by the Chola dynasty, and comprised overseas dominions, protectorates and spheres of influence ...
period. Irrespective of when the initial consecration took place, art historian George Michell believes there were major additions or modifications during the late Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnata Kingdom, was a late medieval Hinduism, Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belongi ...
period, during the rule of Hiriya Kempe Gowda
Kempe Gowda I (27 June 1510 – 1569) locally venerated as Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, or commonly known as Kempe Gowda, was a governor under the Vijayanagara Empire in early-modern India. He is famous for the development of Bengaluru Pete in th ...
II.[Michell (1995), p. 69] According to a folk legend of this oldest temple, it is said that Kempe Gowda, tired after hunting, rested under a tree and fell asleep on the present site of the temple. Lord Someshwara appeared to him in a dream, revealing the existence of hidden treasure
Treasure (from from Greek ''thēsauros'', "treasure store") is a concentration of wealth — often originating from ancient history — that is considered lost and/or forgotten until rediscovered. Some jurisdictions legally define what constit ...
and told him to build the temple dedicated to him with it.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Gavipura
Another ancient temple is the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Gavipura, it is constructed in the Chola
The Chola Empire, which is often referred to as the Imperial Cholas, was a medieval thalassocratic empire based in southern India that was ruled by the Chola dynasty, and comprised overseas dominions, protectorates and spheres of influence ...
style of architecture, which is a protected monument under the Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961. It is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
. It is one of the best architectural monuments depicting a monolithic idol of Lord Shiva made of granite
Granite ( ) is a coarse-grained (phanerite, phaneritic) intrusive rock, intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly coo ...
, a rare idol of Agni
Agni ( ) is the Deva (Hinduism), Hindu god of fire. As the Guardians of the directions#Aṣṭa-Dikpāla ("Guardians of Eight Directions"), guardian deity of the southeast direction, he is typically found in southeast corners of Hindu temples. ...
, the God of fire and monolithic exquisitely carved four pillars inside the cave. The cave temple is also stated to be a fine piece of Indian rock-cut architecture
Rock-cut architecture is the creation of structures, buildings, and sculptures by excavating solid Rock (geology), rock where it naturally occurs. Intensely laborious when using ancient tools and methods, rock-cut architecture was presumably combi ...
of the 9th century. In the 16th century, Kempe Gowdas added grandeur to the temple by building the frontage to the cave temple with Gopura
A ''gopuram'' or ''gopura'' (Tamil language, Tamil: கோபுரம், Telugu language, Telugu: గోపురం, Kannada: ಗೋಪುರ, Malayalam language, Malayalam: ഗോപുരം) is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate ...
s (towers), large trident
A trident (), () is a three- pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm. As compared to an ordinary spear, the three tines increase the chance that a fish will be struck and decrease the chance that a fish will b ...
s, discs known as Suryapana and Chandrapana representing the Sun and the Moon, a damaru
A damaru (, ; Tibetan languages, Tibetan ཌ་མ་རུ་ or རྔ་ཆུང) is a small two-headed drum, used in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. In Hinduism, the damaru is known as the instrument of the Hindu deity Shiva, associated wi ...
(drum) and two fans (all pictured in the gallery).
Another interesting astronomical feature which attracts thousands of devotees to the temple on Makar Sankranti
Makar(a) Sankrānti (), () also referred to as Uttarāyana, Makara, or simply Sankrānti, is a Hinduism, Hindu observance and a mid-winter harvest festival in India and Nepal. It is typically celebrated on 14 January annually (15 January on a ...
day in January is of sun rays passing between the horns of the Nandi
Nandi may refer to:
People
* Nandy (surname), Indian surname
* Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe
* Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi
* Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afr ...
(bull), located outside at the entrance to the temple, which lights the idol of Shiva inside the cave.[
]
Nandi Temple, Basavanagudi
A famous temple built in the 16th century during the rule of Kempegowdas, is the Bull temple or the Nandi Temple (‘Nandi' in Sanskrit means ‘joyful') made of granite. This temple built in 1537 on a hill top with a porch in the Vijayanagara architectural style is named after the large granite Nandi monolith
A monolith is a geological feature consisting of a single massive stone or rock, such as some mountains. Erosion usually exposes the geological formations, which are often made of very hard and solid igneous or metamorphic rock. Some monolit ...
placed on a plinth
A pedestal or plinth is a support at the bottom of a statue, vase, column, or certain altars. Smaller pedestals, especially if round in shape, may be called socles. In civil engineering, it is also called ''basement''. The minimum height o ...
in the temple shrine. The temple is exclusive for the worship of the sacred bull in Hinduism, known as Nandi
Nandi may refer to:
People
* Nandy (surname), Indian surname
* Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe
* Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi
* Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afr ...
, Lord Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
's vahana
''Vāhana'' () or ''vahanam'' () denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular Hindus, Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vāhana is often called the deity's "mount". Upon the partnership b ...
, or animal mount. Nandi idol at this temple is said to be one of the largest in the world, with height of about and length. Temples for Dodda Ganapathy
Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions are found throughout India. Hind ...
(huge Ganesha
Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva (Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions ...
-– height & wide) and for Lord Shiva, a little above the Ganesha temple, are also located at the foot of the hill. A groundnut fair called Kadalekay Parishe in Kannada language
Kannada () is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, an ...
, which is linked to a popular folklore legend, is held by farmers every year during November to thank Nandi for the good yield of this crop and to seek further blessings.
Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple, Rajarajeshwari Nagara
Rajarajeshwari Nagar is home to the Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple. Shri Rajarajeshwari is the temple's principal deity. The temple was built by Sri Sivaratnapuri Swamiji, also called Sri Tiruchi Swamigal, in 1978. the idol of Sri Rajarajeshwari, who is a manifestation of Sri Lalita Tripurasundari. According to the Tantra Chudamani, this temple is thought to be the "ear" or "karnabhaga" of Bharat's numerous Shaktipeethas. Located between the Cauvery
The Kaveri (also known as Cauvery) is a major river flowing across Southern India. It is the third largest river in the region after Godavari and Krishna.
The catchment area of the Kaveri basin is estimated to be and encompasses the states o ...
and Vrishabhavati rivers, it was formerly known as Kanchanagiri. Jaya Peetha is the name of the governing Bhairava, Abiru Bhairava.
Shri Nimishamba Devi Temple, Rajarajeshwari Nagara
The Shri Nimishamba Devi temple is located at Rajarajeshwari Nagara. This shrine is built in the traditional Parashurama Kshetra architectural style, which is not found elsewhere in Bangalore or its surroundings. This temple was built with the help of a large number of devotees of Shri Nimishamba Devi. The temple has shrines of Devi Nimishamba, Moukthikeswara (Lord Shiva), Siddhi Vinayaka, Saraswathi and Lakshmi Narayana. Chandika Homa is performed every day in a specially designed Yagna Shala. The temple also has Annadana on most days.
Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Rajajinagara
Sri Radha Krishna Temple or ISKCON Temple, has deities of Radha and Krishna located on top of the Hare Krishna Hill in Rajajinagara, in the. It is one of the largest ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, is a religious organization that follows the Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. It was founded on 13 July 1966 ...
temples in the world. The temple is a huge cultural complex that was inaugurated in 1997 by Shankar Dayal Sharma and Jayapataka Swami following the wishes of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning. Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami (), also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In certain Hindu texts, such as the ''Gita Govinda' ...
, Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Vaikuntha Ekadashi () is a Hindu occasion and festival. It is primarily observed by Vaishnavas, who regard it to be a special ekadashi. It coincides with Mokshada Ekadashi or Putrada Ekadashi. It is observed on the 11th lunar day of the wax ...
and Rath Yatra
Ratha Yatra (), or chariot festival, is any public procession in a chariot. They are held annually during festivals in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The term also refers to the popular annual Ratha Yatra of Puri that involves a public processi ...
are the major festivals celebrated.
Other temples
Apart from the above famous temples, the other temples built between the 16th and 19th centuries are also numerous and some of the well known ones with interesting history are the
*Karanji Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Basavanagudi
Basavanagudi is a residential and commercial locality in the Indian city of Bengaluru. Basavanagudi is one of the oldest localities of Bangalore evidenced by the fact that it is home to four inscriptions, three Kannada and one Tamil and also on ...
*Sri Bande Mahakali Temple, Gavipura Guttahalli
* Sri Pralayakala Veerabadrar temple, Gavipura Guttahalli
*Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Temple, Chamarajapete
*Belli Basavanna Temple, Mamulpete
* Sri Yelahanka Gate Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Bangalore Fort, Avenue Road, Ballurupete
* Sri Dharmarayaswamy Temple, Thigalarpete, Nagarathpete
* Sri Sugreeva Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Balepete
* Kadu Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Malleswara
* Kote Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...
's Palace
*Kashi Vishveshwara Swamy Temple, Sowrashtrapete
*Sri Prasanna Krishna Swamy Temple, Tulasi Thota, Upparpete
*Sri Mookambika Bhakta Mandali, Mahalakshmi Layout
Mahalakshmi Layout, also known as Mahalakshmipuram is a neighborhood in northwest Bengaluru, India. It is near Rajajinagara, Basaveshwaranagara and Yeshwanthpura. Together with Nandini Layout, Kurubarahalli and Nagapura, it is one of the bigge ...
*Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Jayanagara
Many temples have been built by ordinary citizens and are also patronised by certain communities such as the Devanga
Devanga (also known as Lingayat Devanga, Devanga Shetty, Devanga Chettiar) is a Hindu caste from South India that traditionally followed the occupation of textile merchandise, weaving and farming mostly found in the Indian states of Karnataka, ...
, Golla, Besta (fisherfolk), Uppara
Uppara, also known as Sagara, is a Hindu caste predominantly found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Reprint. Originally published: Madras : Supt. Govt. Press, 1909 They are classified as an Other ...
, Goniga, Kshaurika (barber), Nagartha, Ganiga (oilfolk), Vishwakarma
Vishvakarma or Vishvakarman (, ) is a craftsman deity and the divine architect of the Deva (Hinduism), devas in contemporary Hinduism. In the early texts, the craftsman deity was known as Tvastar and the word "Vishvakarma" was originally used a ...
, and so forth. The most popular temples listed are that of Hanuman
Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine ''vanara'', and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the ''Ramayana'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotio ...
(the monkey God), 635 numbers, and the oldest of them is reported to be the Shri Gali Anjaneya temple on Mysore Road, said to have been established in 1425 by Vyasaraja.[
]
Muslims and mosques
The earliest recorded history of Islamic influence in Bangalore could be traced to 1638, when the old Bengaluru Pete
Bengaluru Pete is the area of Bengaluru city which was established by Kempegowda I (c. 1510–1570) in 1537 with roads laid out in the cardinal directions, and entrance gates at the end of each road. Kempegowda also termed the Pete he built as ...
(now an integral part of the Bangalore city) was conquered by Bijapur Sultan
The Sultanate of Bijapur was an early modern kingdom in the western Deccan and South India, ruled by the Muslim Adil Shahi (or Adilshahi) dynasty. Bijapur had been a ''taraf'' (province) of the Bahmani Kingdom prior to its independence in 1490 ...
ate who ruled for the next 50 years. The Mughal
Mughal or Moghul may refer to:
Related to the Mughal Empire
* Mughal Empire of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries
* Mughal dynasty
* Mughal emperors
* Mughal people, a social group of Central and South Asia
* Mughal architecture
* Mug ...
general Khasim Khan captured Bangalore in 1687 and leased the town and the surrounding areas to Chikkadeva Raya Wodeyar of the Kingdom of Mysore
The Kingdom of Mysore was a geopolitical realm in southern India founded in around 1399 in the vicinity of the modern-day city of Mysore and prevailed until 1950. The territorial boundaries and the form of government transmuted substantially ...
, in 1690 AD. In 1761, Hyder Ali became the Sarvadhikari of Bangalore. The Mysore Sultanate which lasted from 1761 to 1799 saw the construction of many mosques & dargahs.
Thus, over a period of 370 years from the earliest rule of the Bijapur Sultan
The Sultanate of Bijapur was an early modern kingdom in the western Deccan and South India, ruled by the Muslim Adil Shahi (or Adilshahi) dynasty. Bijapur had been a ''taraf'' (province) of the Bahmani Kingdom prior to its independence in 1490 ...
in 1638, Muslim shrines (mosques or masjid
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were simple p ...
s and darghas) have been built which now number more than 400 and indicates the large Muslim population of the city. Some of the important mosques and darghas in Bangalore are mentioned below.
Jamia Masjid
Jamia Masjid, situated near the City Market, Bengaluru Urban
Bengaluru Urban district is the most densely populated of the thirty-one List of districts of Karnataka, districts that comprise the Indian state of Karnataka. It is surrounded by the Bengaluru Rural district on the east and north, the Ramanag ...
, is the most impressive mosque in Bangalore. Designed by Rayyaz Asifuddin of Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...
, India, it was built in 1940 with white marble from Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
and is dedicated to Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...
. This landmark has bulbous domes, twin towers standing on exquisitely carved granite pillars and fashioned jali
A ''jali'' or ''jaali'' (''jālī'', meaning "net") is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy, geometry or natural patterns. This form of architectu ...
work in the balcony. It is a five–storeyed structure, with space to accommodate up to 10,000 devotees. With an ablution pool in the centre of mosque, the ambiance inside the mosque is cool, serene and airy. In the elevated prayer hall of the mosque, beautiful bubris (frescoes) that bear mark of Tipu Sultan have been revealed, after removing the old plaster. Muslims in large numbers congregate here during the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan, to mark the "Tipu Urs".
The Jumma Masjid
The Jumma Masjid located on the Old Poor House Road in the Cantonment
A cantonment (, , or ) is a type of military base. In South Asia, a ''cantonment'' refers to a permanent military station (a term from the British Raj). In United States military parlance, a cantonment is, essentially, "a permanent residential ...
area of the city is also said to be one of the oldest mosques, built by Haji Abdul Quddus in the early 19th century. While the raised prayer hall of the mosque has granite pillars, the building as such is a brick and mortar structure with ornate jali
A ''jali'' or ''jaali'' (''jālī'', meaning "net") is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy, geometry or natural patterns. This form of architectu ...
work and floral motifs in plaster on the facade. The granite pillars were bought from Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...
's palace in Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna or Srirangapattana is a town and headquarters of one of the seven Taluks of Mandya district, in the Indian State of Karnataka. It gets its name from the Ranganthaswamy temple consecrated around 984 CE. Later, under the Britis ...
.
The Sangian Jamia Masjid in Taramandalpet was built by the Mughal General Khasim Khan in 1687. It was demolished in the 80's and today a much larger modern mosque stands in its place.
Haji Sir Ismail Sait Mosque
Haji Sir Ismail Sait Mosque Hajee Sir Ismail Sait Masjid · Mosque Rd, Pulikeshi Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560005, India (named after Haji Sir Ismail Sait, a prominent Gujarati speaking Kutchi Memon
Kutchi Memons are an Indian Muslim Community and an ethnic group from Kutch in Gujarat, India, who are Kutchi people speaking the Kutchi language. They are related to the Memons associated with the historic state of Kathiawar, a Muslim commun ...
merchant of Bangalore Cantonment
The Bangalore Cantonment (1806–1881) was a military cantonment of the British Raj based in the Indian city of Bangalore. The cantonment covered an area of , extending from the Residency on the west to Binnamangala on the east and from the T ...
who built the mosque), is located in Fraser Town. It was built at a time when there were only a few Muslims in the suburb. Haji Sir Ismail Sait arrived in Bangalore in 1870 from Cutch, Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
with his parents. After the demise of his father in started a small business on his own in 1874, and prospered expanding his business around Bangalore and also Madras
Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...
, trading in goods and Kerosene
Kerosene, or paraffin, is a combustibility, combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in Aviation fuel, aviation as well as households. Its name derives from the Greek (''kērós'') meaning " ...
. At the same time, he was involved in philanthropy and charitable work. Haji Sir Ismail Sait was honoured by the Mysore Government with the title ‘Fakrut-Tujjar', and the British Government knighted him at the Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace () is a royal official residence, residence in London, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and r ...
in recognition of his philanthropy. Haji Sir Ismail Sait also served as a member of the Madras Presidency Legislative Council in 1911. Sir Ismail Sait also founded the Sir Ismail Sait Government Urdu Model Primary Boys and Girls Schoo
Hajee Sir Ismail Sait Masjid · Mosque Rd, Pulikeshi Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560005, India
an Urdu Primary School on Mosque Road and the Gosha Hospita
Govt. Hsis Gosha Hospital · Venkataswamy Naidu Rd, near KSPCB Limited, Tasker Town, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560051, India
at Shivajinagar.
Masjid-E-Khadria
Masjid-e-Khadriya is a very beautiful mosque in the heart of Bangalore city designed by Renowned Architect Sajjad Ali Khan in the southern state of Karnataka in India. It is situated on Millers Road in the city inside an Eidgah ground. The mosque is very close to the Bangalore Cantonment Railway station, The Eidgah ground where this mosque is housed is called Quddus Sahib Eidgah.
Masjid-e-Khadriya is made using Islamic architecture with geometric patterns and surrounded by gardens with fountains. One can see pointed arches and onion shaped domes with a grand arch in the opening gate of this masjid. This grand arch is rectangular in shape and adorned with calligraphy. On All 4 sides at the end of the masjid are high minars. Beautiful landscaping has been done on broad pathways that start from the grand arch leading up to the complex.
The prayer hall has a capacity of 2125 people who can offer prayers at the same time. There are three doors each being 16 feet wide in this hall on northern, southern, and eastern sides. There is capacity of 1980 musallis on the first floor also. There are three staircases, 2 on the eastern side and one on the southern side to allow for easy movement of the people.
The mosque is located at a distance of 5.5 km from Majestic (Bangalore city bus stand) and Bangalore City Railway Station.
Other mosques
Of the many other older masjids in the city, the important ones are the Ibrahim Shah Khan Shutari Masjid built in 1761 (at Kumbarpete) by Hyder Khilledar Ibrahim Khan and the Bademakan Masjid (Siddiah Road) built during Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali (''Haidar'alī''; ; 1720 – 7 December 1782) was the Sultan and ''de facto'' ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born as Hyder Ali, he distinguished himself as a soldier, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's ...
's period. Masjid-e-Eidgah Bilal and Masjid Al Noor are two large and beautiful mosques built by the Prestige Group. Modi Masjid is also the oldest masjid in the Cantonment area, it has been reconstructed and is the latest large mosque addition to Bangalore's mosques space.
Masjid-E-Quba, Yarabnagar one of the beautiful Mosque (330). The mosque has the highest minaret in Bangalore.
Christianity and churches
Bangalore with recorded number of 40 churches (thus also called the city of churches), represents diverse Christian communities, such as the Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
, Protestants
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
of the Church of South India
The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India. With a membership of over 4.5 million, it ...
(which includes Anglican
Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
, Wesleyan and other older denominations), Kerala based Syrian
Syrians () are the majority inhabitants of Syria, indigenous to the Levant, most of whom have Arabic, especially its Levantine and Mesopotamian dialects, as a mother tongue. The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Syrian people is a blend ...
denominations and newer evangelical groups with links to the United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
.
It was in the year 1648 that Christianity made its first mark in Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna or Srirangapattana is a town and headquarters of one of the seven Taluks of Mandya district, in the Indian State of Karnataka. It gets its name from the Ranganthaswamy temple consecrated around 984 CE. Later, under the Britis ...
, the capital city of the then Kingdom of Mysore
The Kingdom of Mysore was a geopolitical realm in southern India founded in around 1399 in the vicinity of the modern-day city of Mysore and prevailed until 1950. The territorial boundaries and the form of government transmuted substantially ...
. Bangalore was not a big city in those days. Even though the first church in Bangalore was dated to the years 1724–1725, the spread of Christianity suffered a decline during Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...
's rule. However, the history of revival of Christianity in Bangalore is traced to the year 1799 when the French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
priest Abbé du Bois came to Bangalore, at a time when the British seized Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna or Srirangapattana is a town and headquarters of one of the seven Taluks of Mandya district, in the Indian State of Karnataka. It gets its name from the Ranganthaswamy temple consecrated around 984 CE. Later, under the Britis ...
from Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...
. He restored the Christian religion in the city by building confidence of the Christians living in and around Bangalore in Somanahalli, Kamanahalli, Begur, Gunjam, Palahalli, Doranahalli, Garenahalli, Shettyhalli and other villages and by extending them spiritual solace. His acts of service to the people also involved introduction of vaccination in India.
Roman Catholic Churches
St. Mary's Basilica
St. Mary's Basilica had a humble beginning as an attached hut in the 17th century, built by Tamil Christian migrants from Gingee
Gingee, also known as Senji or Jinji and originally called Singapuri, is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Gingee is located between three hills covering a perimeter of 3 km, and lies west of the ...
. The Shrine was then known as 'Chapel of Kanikkai Madha' and was located in their village where rice was grown. The rice grown in the village had a distinct white colour, and hence the settlement came to known as ''Bili Akki Palli'' or colloquially known as ''Blackpally'' (now known as Shivajinagar). However, according to well known historian S K Aruni, Blackpally could have been named after John Blakiston (1785-1867), who designed the layout of the Bangalore Cantonment. With the establishment of the cantonment
A cantonment (, , or ) is a type of military base. In South Asia, a ''cantonment'' refers to a permanent military station (a term from the British Raj). In United States military parlance, a cantonment is, essentially, "a permanent residential ...
at Bangalore, Jean Dubois led a mass for both Europeans and Indians in 1799, after the fall of Seringapatam. In 1811, Jean Dubois built small chapel along with residence for the Catholic priests. Later Andreas, a priest from Pondicherry
Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, is the Capital city, capital and most populous city of the Puducherry (union territory), Union Territory of Puducherry in India. The city is in the Puducherry district on the southeast coast of Indi ...
of Indian origin, expanded the church building in the shape of a cross. However this church was torn down during the communal riots of 1832, and troops had to be called in to protect the settlement for many months. The current form of the majestic Gothic-style church (pictured) is credited to L. E. Kleiner. It was consecrated on 8 September 1882 by Bishop Jean-Yves-Marie Coadou, the vicar apostolic
A vicar (; Latin: ''vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English pre ...
of Mysore
Mysore ( ), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the ...
. Over the years, the church of St. Mary's at Blackpally became a parish and was elevated to the status of minor basilica
In Ancient Roman architecture, a basilica (Greek Basiliké) was a large public building with multiple functions that was typically built alongside the town's forum. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek Eas ...
in 1973 through an order by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI (born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding John XXII ...
(The church was the sixth church in India to be elevated to this status). Stained glass windows and multiple columns with a rich Corinthian capital support the stately arches of the Church. An annual 9 day Novena
A novena (from , "nine") is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, when the ...
is held between 30 August and 7 September, with Mass being offered in English, Kannada
Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...
and Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
.
St Patrick's Church
St Patrick's Church located on Brigade road
Brigade Road is a large commercial centre and one of the busiest shopping areas in the heart of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka State, India. It is a one-way connecting road from M G Road to Hosur Road, also connecting Residency Road and C ...
is the second oldest church in the city (around 160 years old - foundation laid in July 1841). Father Chevalier was responsible for building the church, which was consecrated as a cathedral in 1899. The foundation was laid in July 1841 and the building was completed in 1844. In 1887, the Catholic Hierarchy for southern India Pope Leo XIII was proclaimed in this church in 1887. Renovated in 1894–98, on 12 November 1899 the church was consecrated as St. Patrick's Cathedral. It has a beautiful arched entrance flanked by twin columns. The interior of the church has twelve graceful pillars which symbolise the twelve apostles. The twin spires of the Church are a landmark in the city cantonment.
Infant Jesus Church
Infant Jesus Church at Vivek Nagar, which is now the biggest church in Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
and a popular pilgrimage centre, has a long history of sacrifice and devotion. The Church was first conceived by Paul Kinatukara in the sixties and the foundation was laid in April 1970 by Lourduswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore. The missionary zeal (in spite of daunting hurdles) of L. Peter established the church on a firm footing and the church was opened to devotees in the year 1979, to honour and glorify the divine Infant Jesus of Prague
The Infant Jesus of Prague (: ) is a 16th-century wax-coated wooden statue of the Child Jesus holding a ''globus cruciger'' of Spanish origin, now located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories in Malá Strana, Prague, C ...
. Designed by the Architects of Thomas Associates, the church with a fan shaped hall can accommodate about 2500 people. It has 9 faces and openings running all round the church. People seated anywhere in the interior of the church feel that the altar
An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...
is facing them. The podium
A podium (: podiums or podia) is a platform used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. In architecture a building can rest on a large podium. Podiums can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of a ...
is raised above road level with steps and ramp on either side. The replica of the nativity scene in the nativity church of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...
is the main mural of size x . The remarkable feature of the church is the secular nature of the devotees who throng seeking blessings, particularly on Thursdays and Saturdays. St Mary's Feast is celebrated in September every year when devotees gather at the Church dressed in saffron colour.[
]
Shelter House Church
Shelter House Church is located in Arekere main road, Bannerghatta road
Bannerghatta Road (ಬನ್ನೇರುಘಟ್ಟ ರಸ್ತೆ, commonly known as BG Road) is an Indian State Highway in Karnataka. It connects Bangalore with the towns of Bannerghatta, Jigani, and Anekal. It extends for . It starts a ...
.
Other prominent Churches built in Bangalore under the overall directions of the parish
A parish is a territorial entity in many Christianity, Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest#Christianity, priest, often termed a parish pries ...
were the St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral (1851), St. Joseph's Church (1867) and the Sacred Heart Church, Ashokanagara (1867) and many others.
The other old churches in Bangalore are the St. Luke's ( Fort, 1830), the St. Joseph's (Briand Square, 1857), the St. Patrick's (Brigade Road, 1844), the Sacred Heart's (Richmond Road, 1874) and many others.
Anglican / Wesleyan / CSI Churches
The old Protestant
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
denominations in the region, merged after Indian independence forming the Church of South India
The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India. With a membership of over 4.5 million, it ...
, on September 27, 1947. Landmark CSI churches of Bangalore are the St. Mark's Cathedral (M.G. Road, 1808), Holy Trinity (M.G. Road, 1851), St. Andrew's (Cubbon Road, 1866), East Parade (Dickenson Road, 1862), Wesley Church (Promenade Road, 1896) and Hudson Memorial church (City Corporation, 1904).
St. Mark's Cathedral
St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore, St. Mark's Cathedral
St. Mark's Cathedral · Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
is named after Mark the Evangelist, Saint Mark (believed to be the first gospel writer) and is located at the west end of Mahatma Gandhi Road, MacIver Town, Bangalore
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
. Its architecture is inspired by the 17th century St Paul's Cathedral. The church serves as the cathedral (Ecclesia Matar) of the Church of South India
The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India. With a membership of over 4.5 million, it ...
, Karnataka Central Diocese. Found in 1808, the cathedral celebrated its 200 years bicentenary in 2007–8.
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church located at Trinity circle is an exquisite landmark at the east end of the MG Road, built in 1848–51 in the English Renaissance
The English Renaissance was a Cultural movement, cultural and Art movement, artistic movement in England during the late 15th, 16th and early 17th centuries. It is associated with the pan-European Renaissance that is usually regarded as beginni ...
style, and was designed by Major Pears, foundation was laid on 16 February 1848 and consecrated on 25 July 1852. The church can accommodate 700 people and is considered as the largest "military" church in South India.[
]
St. Andrew's Church, Cubbon Road
St. Andrew's Kirk, the only Scottish kirk in Bangalore, is located on the Cubbon Road. The stained glass windows in the Church depict Lord Jesus
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
and his eight apostles
An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary. The word is derived from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (''apóstolos''), literally "one who is sent off", itself derived from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (''apostéllein''), "to se ...
. The walls are adorned with polished brass plaques and a pipe organ installed in 1881 is also seen in the Church.[
]
St. John's Church, Cleveland Town
St. John's Church, Bangalore, St. John's Church
St Johns Church · Door No 132, St. John's Church Road, Cleveland Town, Pulikeshi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560005, India
is located in St. John's Hill, Cleveland Town, Bangalore Cantonment
The Bangalore Cantonment (1806–1881) was a military cantonment of the British Raj based in the Indian city of Bangalore. The cantonment covered an area of , extending from the Residency on the west to Binnamangala on the east and from the T ...
, in between Promenade Road and St. John's Church Road. The church is the fourth oldest Protestant
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
church in the city, dedicated in 1858, it is 170 years old. It was known as seguppukoil for its distinct red edifice and towering steeple, rising out of the leafy surroundings. The church is dedicated to John the Evangelist, St. John the Evangelist.
St. Paul's Church, Old Poor House Road
St. Paul's Church, Bangalore, St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Church · Jumma Masjid Road, 1, Bowring Hospital Rd, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560051, India
is located in the corner of Old Poor House Road, and Bowring Hospital Road, next to the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bangalore Cantonment
The Bangalore Cantonment (1806–1881) was a military cantonment of the British Raj based in the Indian city of Bangalore. The cantonment covered an area of , extending from the Residency on the west to Binnamangala on the east and from the T ...
. St. Paul's has the distinction of being the very first Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
Anglican Church in the erstwhile Mysore State. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in May 2014.
Pentecostal Churches
Life Church, Bannerghatta Road
Life Church is an affiliate of Church of God (full Gospel) in India. Situated at Arekere off the famed Bannerghetta road is a source of hope and blessing for many. Pradip Mathew a qualified physician, Christian thinker and Apologist is the Pastor of this church. Web address- www.lifechurch.co.in[
]
Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches
St. Mary's Orthodox Church located in Gangamma Circle
Gangamma Circle is a small area located in Bengaluru city, the capital of Karnataka state in India.
The place has got its name from Sri Gangamma Temple located there.
The place is well known for its religious establishments like Gangamma Temple ...
, is a parish belongs to the Bangalore Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) also known as the Indian Orthodox Church (IOC) or simply as the Malankara Church, is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church headquartered in Devalokam, near Kottayam, India. It serves India's ...
. The parish was founded in 1961 and considered as the first orthodox parish in Bangalore
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
. St. Gregorios Cathedral at hosur road is another important church of the Indian Orthodox Church in Bangalore.
There are11 orthodox churches in Bangalore namely:
St. Gregorios Cathedral, Hosur road
St. Mary's Valiyapalli, Jalahalli
St. George Church, Indiranagar
St. Baselios Church, Marathahalli
Mar Yuhanon Mamdana Church, KR Puram
St. Gregorios church, Mathikere
St. Thomas Church, Bangalore East
Mar Gregorios Church, Hebbal
St. Dionysius Church, Dasarahalli
St. Stephen's Church, Vijaynagar
St. Mary's Church, Begur.
All the churches in the Bangalore region come under the domain of the Metropolitan of the Bangalore diocese, Abraham Mar Seraphim.
Jainism and Jain derasars
Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
, traditionally known as ''Jainadharma'', is an Indian religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India. The Jains follow the teachings of the 24 Tirthankara
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''Dharma (Jainism), dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a ''Tirtha (Jainism), tirtha'', a fordable passage across ''Saṃsā ...
s and Mahavira
Mahavira (Devanagari: महावीर, ), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, ), was the 24th ''Tirthankara'' (Supreme Preacher and Ford Maker) of Jainism. Although the dates and most historical details of his lif ...
, accepted as the founder of the faith, was the 24th and lived in the 6th century BCE. Jains have significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in India for over two millennia. They are best described by the adage that "Business is in their blood. Peace is their badge."
The combination makes them an extraordinary community in India and so is their case in Bangalore. Of the 40 odd Jain temples in Bangalore, Digambara
''Digambara'' (; "sky-clad") is one of the two major Jain schools and branches, schools of Jainism, the other being ''Śvetāmbara'' (white-clad). The Sanskrit word ''Digambara'' means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic pract ...
-affiliated ones are fewer than the Śvetāmbara
The Śvetāmbara (; also spelled Shwetambara, Shvetambara, Svetambara or Swetambara) is one of the two main branches of Jainism, the other being the Digambara. ''Śvetāmbara'' in Sanskrit means "white-clad", and refers to its ascetics' practi ...
-affiliated ones. Digambara and Svethambara are the two living schools of the Jain community. Digambara monk
A monk (; from , ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery. A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many reli ...
s do not wear clothes since they believe that clothes are like other possessions, increasing dependency and desire for material things, and desire for anything ultimately leads to sorrow. Śvetāmbara monks and nuns wear white, seamless clothes for practical reasons and believe there is nothing in the Jain Agamas
Jain literature () refers to the literature of the Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initially transmitted orally. The oldest surviving material is contained in the canonical ''Jain Agamas'', which are wri ...
that condemns wearing clothes.
Shri Mahavira Digambara Jain temple
Shri Mahavira Digambara Jain temple is located in the Dewan's lane of Chickpet area (of the Bengaluru Pete
Bengaluru Pete is the area of Bengaluru city which was established by Kempegowda I (c. 1510–1570) in 1537 with roads laid out in the cardinal directions, and entrance gates at the end of each road. Kempegowda also termed the Pete he built as ...
) has an idol of Mahavira in the Kayotsarga
Kayotsarga ( , ) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayotsarga posture. ''Kayotsarga' ...
posture. The temple constructed in 1878 has undergone many renovations and even now is under renovation. But the entrance arch to the temple is intact (pictured). The idols of Parshva, Bahubali
Bahubali (, ) was the son of Rishabhanatha (the first ''tirthankara'' of Jainism) and the brother of the ''Chakravarti (Sanskrit term), chakravartin'' Bharata (Jainism), Bharata. He is a revered figure in Jainism. He is said to have meditated ...
, Vimalanatha
Vimalanatha was the thirteenth Jain Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Vimalanatha was born to King Kratavarma and Queen Shyamadev ...
, Anantanatha
Anantanatha was the fourteenth Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini) of Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.
Biography
Anantanatha was the fourteenth Tirthankara ...
and Brahma
Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...
Yaksha
The Yakshas (, , ) in Mythology are a broad class of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Bud ...
are seen in this temple. A guesthouse for pilgrims, Mahavira Bhavan, Ahimsa
(, IAST: , ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to actions towards all living beings. It is a key virtue in Indian religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism.
(also spelled Ahinsa) is one of the cardinal vi ...
Derasar
A Jain temple, Derasar (Gujarati: દેરાસર) or Basadi (Kannada: ಬಸದಿ) is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism. Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and Jain buildings gen ...
(House of non-violence) and a well equipped library containing the books on Jainism are part of the temple complex.
Shri Adinath Digambar Jain temple
Shri Adinath Digambar Jain temple is a new temple built in Jayanagar, a suburb of Bangalore. The construction of this temple started in the early part of this decade and was completed in 2007. The temple is built in white marble with colourful shades. The entrance gate is a nicely sculpted. Two white marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure. It has a crystalline texture, and is ty ...
elephants are at the foot steps of stairs to reach the main temple (pictured - Sri Rajasthan Jain Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka
Mūrtipūjaka (lit. "image-worshipper"), also known as Derāvāsī ("temple-dweller") or Mandir Mārgī ("follower of the temple path"), is the largest sect of Śvētāmbara, Śvetāmbara Jainism. Mūrtipūjaka Jains differ from both Śvetāmba ...
Sangha and not the Shri Adinath Digambar Jain temple).
Well-known Śvetāmbara derasars are located in Gandhinagar and Sajjan Rao Circle, and Jaya Nagar in Bangalore.
Shri Parshwa Sushil Dham
Shri Parshwa Sushil Dham is a magnificent Jain Temple built on National Highway 7. It is beautifully carved white marble temple. Here the mulnayak or the main God is "Shankeshwar Parshwanath" and a Dadavadi of "Sushil Suriji" marasaheb. Idols of Ghantakarna Mahaveer, Padmavati mata, Nakoda bhairav is also present here. This tirth has got Dharamshala, Bhojanshala, Playground for Children recreation with all modern amenities.
Sikhism and Gurudwara
Guru Nanak
Gurū Nānak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ; pronunciation: , ), also known as ('Father Nanak'), was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is t ...
, the Sikh
Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...
guru
Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...
, was the first Sikh to visit Bengaluru. On his way back from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
he halted at Bangalore. Kempegowda met him and sought his blessings. Gurunanak not only blessed Kempegowda but also told him to develop the place.
But it took many more years for a Sikh Gurudwara to be built in Bangalore. There are now three Gurudwaras in Bangalore. The first Sikh Gurudwara and the largest in Bangalore near the Ulsoor Lake on the Kensington Road, is an elegant and white structure (pictured), which was opened on 13 April 1946. It has been renovated recently with marble floors. The large prayer hall accommodates about 500 devotees at a time. Special prayers are offered every Sunday. The temple wears a colourful look as special prayers are offered and more than a thousand people from all religions come here to worship. The Sri Guru Singh Sabha which manages the Gurudwara also runs a school, a medical centre and a function hall also provides accommodation (a day's stay) to the tourists.
Buddhism and Viharas
While under the Mauryas
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia with its power base in Magadha. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around c. 320 BCE, it existed in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The primary source ...
and Satavahana
The Satavahanas (; ''Sādavāhana'' or ''Sātavāhana'', IAST: ), also referred to as the Andhras (also ''Andhra-bhṛtyas'' or ''Andhra-jatiyas'') in the Puranas, were an ancient Indian dynasty. Most modern scholars believe that the Satavaha ...
s Buddhism prospered in Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
, the influence of Hinduism expanded as it subsumed most of the teachings of Buddha and Buddhism and thus Buddhism lost its distinct uniqueness in the state. However, in the 20th century, Buddha viharas have been established in the State with many monasteries coming up in the state. Bengaluru has many centres of Buddha dharma today as there is a revived interest in the Buddhist approach that combines logical thinking and spirituality.
The Maha Bodhi Society (MBS) was established by Acharya Buddharakkhita in 1956 at Bangalore with the objective of propagating the teachings of the Buddha and to provide the inspiration and facilities for putting that teaching into practice through spiritual, social, educational activities. The first act of the Acharya was to plant a sapling of the holy Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya at the premises of the proposed Society. This tree has grown with the Society and is venerated. The Maha Bodhi Society Temple, a relatively new structure, was then built with the main shrine replicating the historic tower at Bodh Gaya. Temple as built is a brick structure with a central tower of height. The Stupa
In Buddhism, a stupa (, ) is a domed hemispherical structure containing several types of sacred relics, including images, statues, metals, and '' śarīra''—the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns. It is used as a place of pilgrimage and m ...
that represents a basic factor in the teaching of the Buddha has also been built at the entrance to the Temple which is made of granite and it enshrines a relic of the Buddha. The temple, the stupa and the Bodhi tree in the temple complex now form a unique landmark in Bangalore. It is a place of worship and meditation, a center of pilgrimage for people from all over India and other countries.
Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre, located in Domlur Layout, is a centre for the study and practice of Tibetan Mahayana
Mahāyāna ( ; , , ; ) is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, Buddhist texts#Mahāyāna texts, texts, Buddhist philosophy, philosophies, and practices developed in ancient India ( onwards). It is considered one of the three main ex ...
tradition of Buddhism. This centre was set up in 2003 at the initiative of Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama (, ; ) is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" (圣 识一切 瓦齐尔达喇 达赖 喇嘛) given by Altan Khan, the first Shu ...
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The name of the center means 'The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma'. Buddhist meditation techniques and teachings on the various aspects of the ‘Graduated Path to Enlightenment' are taught here. In addition to regular teachings, every few weeks the centre also invites senior Lama
Lama () is a title bestowed to a realized practitioner of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. Not all monks are lamas, while nuns and female practitioners can be recognized and entitled as lamas. The Tibetan word ''la-ma'' means "high mother", ...
s to give talks on important aspects of the Buddhist path, which are followed by instructions into different meditation practices. Ahimsamaya, a magazine devoted to vast heritage of the Pragya Paramita Buddhist tradition of Indian thinking in philosophy and spirituality is also brought out by the centre.
Thubten Lekshey Ling is a Nyingma
Nyingma (, ), also referred to as ''Ngangyur'' (, ), is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Nyingma school was founded by PadmasambhavaClaude Arpi, ''A Glimpse of the History of Tibet'', Dharamsala: Tibet Museum, 2013. ...
Buddhist Study and Meditation Centre established in 2008. Nyingma Buddhism is the ancient school of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism that preserved and nourished all aspects of Buddhism as it existed in the period of great universities of India like Nalanda
Nalanda (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: , ) was a renowned Buddhism, Buddhist ''mahavihara'' (great monastery) in medieval Magadha (Mahajanapada), Magadha (modern-day Bihar), eastern India. Widely considered to be am ...
, Vikramashila, etc. Nyingma corresponds to the original transmission of Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th Century, the pinnacle of the golden era of Buddhism in India, by Guru Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava ('Born from a Lotus'), also known as Guru Rinpoche ('Precious Guru'), was a legendary tantric Buddhist Vajracharya, Vajra master from Oddiyana. who fully revealed the Vajrayana in Tibet, circa 8th – 9th centuries... He is consi ...
, Acharya Shantarakshita, Mahapandita Vimalamitra
Vimalamitra () was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist monk. His teachers were Buddhaguhya, Jnanasutra, Jñānasūtra and Sri Singha, Śrī Siṃha. He was supposed to have vowed to take rebirth every hundred years, with the most notable figures bein ...
and many other great scholars and yogis. In this form of Buddhism rational study, mystical practices and non-conceptual meditation are equally emphasized. Mahayana
Mahāyāna ( ; , , ; ) is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, Buddhist texts#Mahāyāna texts, texts, Buddhist philosophy, philosophies, and practices developed in ancient India ( onwards). It is considered one of the three main ex ...
and Vajrayana
''Vajrayāna'' (; 'vajra vehicle'), also known as Mantrayāna ('mantra vehicle'), Guhyamantrayāna ('secret mantra vehicle'), Tantrayāna ('tantra vehicle'), Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism, is a Mahāyāna Buddhism, Mahāyāna Buddhis ...
practices are emphasized in this tradition. Dzogchen
Dzogchen ( 'Great Completion' or 'Great Perfection'), also known as ''atiyoga'' ( utmost yoga), is a tradition of teachings in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Bön aimed at discovering and continuing in the ultimate ground of existence. The goal ...
(Mahasandhi-yoga) is its uniqueness. Thubten Lekshey Ling was founded by Penor Rinpoche
Kyabjé 3rd Drubwang Padma Norbu, Lekshe Chokyi Drayang widely known as Penor Rinpoche (, 30 Jan 1933 – 27 Mar 2009), was the 11th throneholder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and the 3rd Drubwang Padma Norbu. ...
. Thubten Lekshey Ling conducts teachings, meditation programs and advanced study groups in every weekend.
Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Agiari
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism ( ), also called Mazdayasnā () or Beh-dīn (), is an Iranian religions, Iranian religion centred on the Avesta and the teachings of Zoroaster, Zarathushtra Spitama, who is more commonly referred to by the Greek translation, ...
was founded by the prophet Spitama Zarathustra
Zarathushtra Spitama, more commonly known as Zoroaster or Zarathustra, was an Iranian religious reformer who challenged the tenets of the contemporary Ancient Iranian religion, becoming the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism. Variously descr ...
. The religion asserts that there is one god, Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazda (; ; or , ),The former is the New Persian rendering of the Avestan form, while the latter derives from Middle Persian. also known as Horomazes (),, is the only creator deity and Sky deity, god of the sky in the ancient Iranian ...
(Wise Lord), other gods being manifestations of his qualities. The people who practiced Zoroastrianism and who fled from south-west Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
to India (initially came to the west coast of India and subsequently moved to other parts of India) due to persecution by Muslims in 642 AD (when the last Iranian empire was conquered by the Arabs) are called Parsi
The Parsis or Parsees () are a Zoroastrian ethnic group in the Indian subcontinent. They are descended from Persian refugees who migrated to the Indian subcontinent during and after the Arab-Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century, w ...
s. The only possession they had when they came to India was nothing more than the sacred fire from their temple. Under British rule they prospered immensely. It is estimated that there are 130,000 Zoroastrians in the world; majority of them, about 100,000 live in India. They have retained their distinct identity and have contributed richly to India's progress in all sectors of development. The members of the community emerged as successful businessmen, lawyers, and doctors and have worked largely in the service sector. In the early 20th century retired bankers, accountants and businessmen moved from west coast and established themselves in Bangalore, as in those days, Bangalore was considered a retirement paradise. The early settlers to Bangalore built the fire temple on Queen's Road in 1926 with the help of Dinshaw Cawasji, a contractor from Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
and called it the 'Baidhanmai and Cawasji Dadabhai Dar-E-Meher', which caters to the small group of Parsis, about 700, residing in the city. An eternal fire burns in the inner sanctum fed by sandalwood
Sandalwood is a class of woods from trees in the genus ''Santalum''. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and, unlike many other aromatic woods, they retain their fragrance for decades. Sandalwood oil is extracted from the woods. Sanda ...
, as the symbol of the life cycle and eternal recurrence. The temple has carvings of bull
A bull is an intact (i.e., not Castration, castrated) adult male of the species ''Bos taurus'' (cattle). More muscular and aggressive than the females of the same species (i.e. cows proper), bulls have long been an important symbol cattle in r ...
s on its many pillars. Only the priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
s are allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum where the eternal fire burns. A Parsi is one who is born into the religion since Zoroastrianism is a non–proselytising religion. Their Holy Book is known as the Kordeh Avesta
The Avesta (, Book Pahlavi: (), Persian language, Persian: ()) is the text corpus of Zoroastrian literature, religious literature of Zoroastrianism. All its texts are composed in the Avestan language and written in the Avestan alphabet. Mod ...
along with the Vendidad
The Vendidad /ˈvendi'dæd/, also known as Videvdat, Videvdad or Juddēvdād, is a collection of texts within the greater compendium of the Avesta. However, unlike the other texts of the Avesta, the ''Vendidad'' is an ecclesiastical code, not a ...
, lists prayers and prescribes tenets to be followed. The Bangalore Parsi Zoroastrian Association (BPZA) and the Bangalore Zoroastrian Anjuman (BZA) hold regular meetings to discuss the issues concerning the community.(also refer external link)
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in the 19th century that teaches the Baháʼí Faith and the unity of religion, essential worth of all religions and Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity, the unity of all people. Established by ...
, a monotheistic religion that recognizes the religious canons of other religions, was founded by Bahá'u'lláh to spread his message around the world that "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." It has its members in nearly every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background. Its reach is stated to cover four million people in 166 independent countries and 48 territories. Finding a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society is the main goal of all Baháʼís. Such a vision is also propagated by the Baháʼí Centre at Bangalore, which is the administrative headquarters and secretariat of all Baháʼí activities in Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
state. This centre (pictured) holds small group discussions on the teachings of Baháʼí Faith almost every day, apart from prayer meetings.
Jews and the Chabad
The Jewish presence in Bengaluru has been traced to a house dating to at least the early 20th century, called the Ruben House, on the main Old Guard road near Safina Plaza, where a mezuzah
A ''mezuzah'' ( "doorpost"; plural: ''mezuzot'') is a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew language, Hebrew verses from the Torah, which Jews affix in a small case to the doorposts of their homes. These verses are the Biblical pa ...
is displayed (a small case containing the Shema
''Shema Yisrael'' (''Shema Israel'' or ''Sh'ma Yisrael''; , “Hear, O Israel”) is a Jewish prayer (known as the Shema) that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. Its first verse encapsulates the monothe ...
, a passage from the Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...
handwritten on a piece of parchment, that expresses the basic precept of Jewish faith). It belongs to the Rubin Moses family, the only family out of the five families traced to pre–independence time who still live in Bangalore; the other four families have migrated. Ezer Weizman
Ezer Weizman (, ; 15 June 1924 – 24 April 2005) was an Israeli major general and politician who served as the president of Israel, first elected in 1993 and re-elected in 1998. Before the presidency, Weizman was commander of the Israeli Air ...
, the former president of Israel (from 1993–2000) visited this family in Bangalore in 1997 and reminisced of the old times when he had served in Bangalore during World War II in the British Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
. Apart from the Ruben house, two other Jewish homes traced in Bangalore are the Hazelmore house on the Palace road and the Eastern Lodge in the Cavalry road. Another piece of interesting information reported is that M. Benjamin author of the book ''The Mysteries of Israel's Ten Lost Tribes and the Legend of Jews in India'' is residing in Bangalore since 2001.
A cemetery
A cemetery, burial ground, gravesite, graveyard, or a green space called a memorial park or memorial garden, is a place where the remains of many death, dead people are burial, buried or otherwise entombed. The word ''cemetery'' (from Greek ...
on Mysore Road, also established at the beginning of the 20th century, by Subedar Major Samuel Moses Nagavkar, a Bene Israel Jew, at a site donated to him by the Maharaja of Mysore
The maharaja of Mysore was the king and principal ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore and briefly of Mysore State in the Indian Dominion roughly between the mid- to late-1300s and 1950. The maharaja's consort was called the maharani of Mysore.
In ...
, is also a witness to the Jewish history in Bangalore.[
In another part of the city in the European cemetery located on ]Hosur
Hosur is an industrial city located in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Hosur is one of the 21 municipal corporations in Tamil Nadu. It is located on the bank of the river River Ponnaiyar, southeast of Bengaluru and west of Chennai, the state ...
Road, two Jewish graves have been identified in the European Cemetery, one is of T M. Horvitz, (b. Australia in Runoleff, d. Bangalore on 20 June 1898 with a headstone of granite stone, engraved in Hebrew language
Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and remained in regular use as a first language unti ...
and the other is of Rose Hickey (d. on 9 February 1917, aged 48 years).
As of 2012, the Jewish community (mostly belonging to the Information Technology
Information technology (IT) is a set of related fields within information and communications technology (ICT), that encompass computer systems, software, programming languages, data processing, data and information processing, and storage. Inf ...
(IT) sector) living and visiting Bangalore, though a small group, has established a Chabad
Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (; ; ), is a dynasty in Hasidic Judaism. Belonging to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) branch of Orthodox Judaism, it is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, as well as one of ...
in Bangalore, as proposed by two visiting rabbinical students who had been traveling in different parts of India to be in contact with the Jews. The rabbis are members of a global organization called Chabad Lubavitch
Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (; ; ), is a Hasidic dynasty, dynasty in Hasidic Judaism. Belonging to the Haredi Judaism, Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) branch of Orthodox Judaism, it is one of the world's best-known Hasi ...
located in New York with representatives across the world. The Rabbi students are traveling across India equipped with religious paraphernalia such as Tefillin
Tefillin (Modern Hebrew language, Israeli Hebrew: / ; Ashkenazim, Ashkenazic pronunciation: ; Modern Israeli Hebrew, Modern Hebrew pronunciation: ), or phylacteries, are a set of small black leather boxes with leather straps containing scrolls o ...
and Mezuzot
A ''mezuzah'' ( "doorpost"; plural: ''mezuzot'') is a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew language, Hebrew verses from the Torah, which Jews affix in a small case to the doorposts of their homes. These verses are the Biblical pa ...
to preach to the small community of Jews.
Gallery
File:Two Gopuras (towers) above the caves of the main shrines of Gavigangadreswara temple in Bangalore.jpg, Frontage and towers of Gavigangadreshwara temple
File:A trident outside Gavigangadareswara temple in Bangalore.jpg, Trident outside the Gavigangadreshwara temple
File:Dvajasthamba.jpg, The bull and the Dwajasthamaba at the entrance to the Gavigangadreshwara temple
File:Shri Nimishmba Temple, Rajarajeshwari Nagar (2010).jpg, The tower and entrance of located at Rajarajeshwari Nagar
File:One of the two Suraypankas outside the temple entrance.jpg, Suryapanka Outside Gavi Gangadareshwar Temple
File:BullTemple4.jpg, Temple interior with Nandi
Nandi may refer to:
People
* Nandy (surname), Indian surname
* Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe
* Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi
* Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afr ...
idol
File:Bangalore Nandi Temple.jpg, The Bull temple entrance
File:Dodda Ganeshana Gudi Hindu temple, Basavanagudi, Karnataka, India2.jpg, Doddaganesha temple entrance near Bull Temple
File:Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple.jpg, View of the Hanuman
Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine ''vanara'', and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the ''Ramayana'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotio ...
temple, popular as Ragigudda temple, in a suburb in Bengaluru
File:The main tower of Buddha Vihar in Bangalore.JPG, The Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),*
*
*
was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist legends, he was ...
Vihara tower, a replica of the tower at Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gayā is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple complex, situated in the Gaya district in the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place where Gautam ...
File:The stupa at entrance to Buddha Vihar, Banaglore.JPG, The Stupa a replica of the Stupa
In Buddhism, a stupa (, ) is a domed hemispherical structure containing several types of sacred relics, including images, statues, metals, and '' śarīra''—the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns. It is used as a place of pilgrimage and m ...
at Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gayā is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple complex, situated in the Gaya district in the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place where Gautam ...
File:Kara Devots2.JPG, Thigala devotees celebrate Karaga- Hindu
Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
s and Muslim
Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
s take part in this festival with fervour
File:Hazrath Tawakkal Mosque inside.jpg, Inside the Tavakkal Mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
References
External links
Parsis moving to Silicon Plateau: Bangalore
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