Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple
Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple is a unique Hindu temple situated on Shrungagiri Hill in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, which is a popular tourist and religious destination in Bangalore. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shanmukha, and is renowned for its temple tower, which is adorned by the six faces of Lord Shanmukha.
Lord Shanmukha is a Hindu god with many other names including Kartikeya, Subhramanya, Skanda, Murugan, Subhramanian, Sadhana, Guha, Sentil, Saravana, and Kumaraswamy. He is the son of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati, and is considered to be the perfect embodiment of bravery and intelligence. This is why he is worshiped as a god of war and victory. He is also the brave leader of the deva forces, and was created to destroy demons, who symbolise the negative tendencies of human beings. He is most commonly depicted with one head, but some depictions show him with six.
Lord Shanmukha with six heads
The foundation stone of the temple was laid by His Holiness Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. It was said that Lord Shanmukha appeared in His Holiness’s dream, and chose the barren hillock to be his abode.
His Holiness Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji is the presiding Pontiff, and the 36th Jagadguru of the celebrated Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham. His Holiness found his guru, Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamiji at the age of 15 and served him for eight years. Later in year 1974, he renounced the world by embracing Sanyasa, which is the ascetic form of being in a state of disinterest from material life to lead a simple, peaceful, spiritual life. After 15 years of divine care and guidance from his guru, he ascended to the Transcendental Wisdom throne in 1989 as the 36th Jagadguru Shankaracharya, and he has been the guiding spirit behind many aspirants since.
His Holiness Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri
The design of the temple was entrusted to the renowned Dr. R. Arunachalam, who worked wonders with his imagination and used his extraordinary artistic sense to design the entire temple. He based his design of the entire complex on the very name of Lord Shanmukha, which literally means “Six Faced God”, and the concept of a “Star”. The sanctum (Garbha Gudi) with its outer circle (Prakara), devotee’s hall, outer walls and roof design are all “Star” shaped constructions. The temple tower is the most intriguing feature of the temple, as it is adorned by the six faces of Lord Shanmukha, which are six inches of thick concrete moulded structures. The six heads represent the six different attributes: Kirti (fame), Sree (wealth), Aishwarya (divine powers), Jhana (wisdom), Vairagya (dispassion) and, Bala (strength). Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple is no doubt one of the exotic temples in Bangalore.
The six faces of Lord Shanmukha adorn the temple tower
The temple is located on the Shrungagiri hill which is 240 feet above ground level. The temple is 123 feet tall, of which the temple tower itself is 62 feet. On top of the temple tower, there is a crystal dome which is 42 feet in height, embedded with 3,000 crystals. When the sunlight falls on the crystals during the day, a rainbow pattern can be seen. At night, LED lights illuminate the crystal dome, which has 16 colour combinations to form 138 patterns in total. The temple roof is also fitted with a sun tracking system that consists of 2 vertical and 2 horizontal sunlight sensors. They are positioned to face the sun from morning till evening, and track maximum sun rays at any given point of time during the day to enable the “Surya Kirana Abhisheka” of Lord Shanmukha, where Lord Shanmukha will be basked in sunlight throughout the day.
The entrance, located at the base of the hillock, is adorned by two peacock statues to welcome visitors. Upon entering the first sanctum, you will see a dedication to Lord Ganesha. The idol being worshipped here is the Panchamukhi Vinayaka “Simhavaahanaroodha”, which is the five-faced Lord Ganesha riding on a lion. Around the sanctum are wall openings where you will be able to view each face of the Ganesha idol from the outside.
Panchamukhi Vinayaka Simhavaahanaroodha idol enshrined in the temple (left) and the entrance of the temple, where two beautiful peacocks greet the visitors (right)
As you go further up, you will see a giant Shiva’s trishula which is surrounded by a red cave. The cave has two small entrances on either side that open into another sanctum dedicated to Lord Arunachaleswara, which is a form of Lord Shiva. In this sanctum, you will be able to have an audience with a precious “Spatika Shivalinga”, a representation of Shiva that is made from crystal quartz, which is the most sought after material for Shivalinga. It is also in this sanctum that you can find an idol of Lord Parvati.
Lord Arunachaleswara sanctum
The three-foot Spatika Shivalinga
As you continue up the stairs, you will reach the temple tower that houses the main sanctum dedicated to Lord Shanmukha. In the sanctum, you will find Lord Shanmukha and his two consorts, Devasena and Valli. On the wall of the inner sanctum, there are murals of Lord Shanmukha and Shringeri Sharadha Preeta. In the sanctum outer circle (Prakara), a collection of over 1,000 unique idols of Lord Ganesha are on display.
Lord Shanmukha and his two consorts, Devasena and Valli
Visiting Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple
Address: Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple, Off: Mysore Road; Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Near Kengeri – Uttarahalli Main Road, Bangalore 560098
Phone: +91 8028605099
Opening hours: 6:30am to 12.30pm and 4:30pm to 9:00pm. However, the Darshan (viewing and receiving blessings from the idol) is only available after 10:00am.
Dress code: You should dress modestly, and no short pants or skirts are allowed.
Bird’s-eye view of the temple
The stairs leading to the main sanctum
How to get there
Shrungagiri is in Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) layout, 3.17 miles from Rajarajeswari Arch, and there are several bus routes that are available from Rajarajeshwari Arch, or through Uttarahalli. However, none of them will reach the entrance of the temple. As such, you will have to get down at the bus stops near Arehalli Arch or Poorna Pragna Layout, and take a taxi or walk to the temple. You may also hire a taxi from the airport or the train station to the temple.
Visiting Tips
- The best time to visit the temple and enjoy the view of Rajarajeshwari Nagar would be early in the morning. Another good time to visit will be in the evening where you are able to enjoy the light show of the Gopura.
- Photography of the deities and within the sanctums is strictly prohibited.
- The temple welcomes donations of different dals, rice, jaggery, sugar, ghee, etc., which will be used to cook Prasada (vegetarian food offerings) and be given to devotees after prayers.
Sources
- Pilgrimaide, SHRUNGAGIRI SHANMUKHA TEMPLE (LORD SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE), https://www.pilgrimaide.com/Shrungagiri-Shanmukha%20-Temple-(Lord-Subramanya-swamy).html (accessed: 7 February 2019)
- Chetana, Hill Temples Of Bangalore -1: Shrungagiri Hill – Shanmukha Temple, 13 October 2012, http://prayanika-thejourney.blogspot.com/2012/10/hill-temples-of-bangalore-part-1.html (accessed: 7 February 2019)
- Nandish, Smitha, Shrungagiri Shanmukha temple – An Architectural Marvel, 4 February 2017, http://travellerhoots.com/shrungagiri-shanmukha-temple-bangalore/ (accessed: 7 February 2019)
For more interesting information
- Beautiful Hindu Temples
- Thaipusam- The festival of Lord Murugan
- For My Hindu Friends
- Aghori
- Thaipusam-Perayaan Dewa Murugan
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This is such a unique temple to visit as pilgrimage trip. Love the interesting and beautiful pictures and descriptions of the architecture of this temple. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this beautiful Shrungagiri Shanmukha Temple ????
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing this amazing Indian temple with its amazing features of the temple adored with the 6 faces of Lord Shanmukha. It is amazing to see how the Hindus are so devoted that they can build such a unique temple dedicated to their gods.
The care and thought that went into this are really amazing. The sun tracking system to make daylight offering to Lord Shanmukha the whole day and also the crystal dome is also an offering to the god. They really designed the complex well and thoroughly.
What made it even more auspicious is the location is chosen by the god himself in a dream by His Holiness Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji of Sri Sharada Peetham. Later the design is entrusted to a renowned architect, Dr. R. Arunachalam.
An ideal Murugan Temple to be visited in Bangalore located in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. A hilltop structured built with a uniquely designed in the hexagonal shape. A popular among people for it’s location with great visibility with greenery surroundings. A famous tourist attraction for its six faces of Lord Shanmukha and also a religious destination for many.
The view of the temple with a pair of welcome peacocks in the main entrance. The extra ordinary of Lord Ganesha and surrounded by antique collection in various forms. Other amazing was the description of Lord Shiva, The Crystal Dome with Sun Trecking System at the roof top. A great structure of the Giant Shamukha.
The temple has many facilities including transportation and can be best visited in the morning and evening. A great temple to be visited if you are in Bangalore and to get the blessing of Lord Shiva and family.
Wow…..this is definitely a great temple to visit. Shanmukha Temple situated on shrungagiri hill has a breath taking unique architecture consisting of the Six faces of lord shanmuga and a crystal dome. Going up there is also challenging with stairs. Amazing in the day when sun light fall on the crystal and in the night crystals glow with LED lights, the dome paints spectacularly and beautifully with colours. Interesting read of the history of this beautiful Temple .
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Such a unique temple. The night view is even spectacular. Hopefully this will be a place to inspire spirituality growth.