Near to Bengaluru about 60 km on the National Highway There is a hill temple of Lord Siva, The Gangadhareswara. The hill is a tall one. This temple is a cave temple in the hill with tall Gopura (temple tower) at the entrance to the temple. Entering through the gopura we will reach the hall and at the end of the hall the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhs Gudi)of the Lord Gangadhareswara is there. The deity of Lord Gangadhareswara is in the form of a Linga.
Behind the sanctum there is a hole in the rock and lucky people can touch the water in the hole if they lie down and put the hand inside. It is the belief that those who can touch the water are blessed by the Lord Gangadhareswara.
On the way there are other shrines in the hills and few Nandi statues. There are also few water springs on the way some with very little water and some with water up to waist deep. It is a wonder that at the height in the dry rocks water springs and water bodies are present. From the highest point of the hills one can have the view of the towns around for a long distance.
It is not only a religious place. It is a good picnic spot also. On Sundays it will be over crowded.
Elderly persons may find it difficult to climb to the top. There are small steps or notches made on the rock to climb and on both sides of the steps/notches railings are provided for holding. For them there is a temple at the bottom of the same deity of Lord Gangadhareswara. The place is having large number of monkeys. They do not harm normally but check the persons, sometimes even the pocket fir eatables. They may take or snatch cameras or mobiles and throw away which cannot be retrieved. People should take the items in closed bags. On top food will not be available as people plan the trip in such a way that they return to a nearby town by afternoon.
It is a place worth visiting.
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