Attractions

• Temple tower
• Deities
• Sculpture
• Nandi
• Navagrahas
• Pillars
• Car Festival

Halasuru Someshwara Temple

  in Bengaluru is located in the busy market area of Halasuru (Ulsoor). This temple believed to be built in 12th century by the Cholas and extended later by the Vijayanagar rulers. It was further renovated and beautified by KempeGowda I ad II during the 16th century.

Architecture

It is a mixture of Chola and Vijayanagara architecture. The presence of Yali (mythical beast resembling a lion with elephant trunk) in the pillars indicate the possible contribution of Hoysala dynasty which defeated the Chola dynasty in the 13th century. The Eastern Gopuram is a typical 16th century structure. In April 2010, an old temple pond (Kalyani) was excavated after demolishing the buildings that had encroached. There are 2 cannon balls trees (Linga Pushpa) in the temple premises.

Lord Someshwara (Shiva) is the main deity of the temple. Vishnu and Brahma are also worshipped in the temple. The other deities housed here are Kamakshamma, Arunachaleswara, Bhimeswara, Nanjundeswara and Panchalingeswara. The square sanctum sanctorium (garbhagriha) is connected to a closed mantapa (hall) with ornate walls, leading to an open mantapa with 4 pillars. There is a Navagraha temple to the North. A tall pillar (khambha) is seen near the tower (Rajagopura) at the entrance.

The temple has impressive carvings of Lord Someshwara's wedding with Parvati, Ravana lifting mount Kailash, Mahishasuramardhini, 63 Nayanmars (Tamil Saivite saints), Saptarishis ( 7 sages), besides many others.

Festivals

Maha Shivratri, Brahmotsava and Kamakshamma Pallaki Utsav (palanquin festival) are the 3 main annual festivals celebrated here. Halasuru Palakotsava, popularly known as the Ulsoor Car festival is celebrated very grandly. 100+ vehicles (carts, open jeeps, tractors, rollers, JCBs) are converted to palanquins and chariots with floral decorations, the grandest pallaki carrying the bride Kamakshamma. A spectatular procession of these pallakis go through the main streets of Halasuru, around the Someshwara temple. All deities from nearby temples arrive in their palanquins to participate the grand wedding of Lord Someshwara with Parvati devi. This year the festival was celebrated on 22 April 2023 with pomp and splendour.

Halasuru Chariot

The historic Halasuru wooden chariot with intricate carvings was burnt in a fire accident. It was then restored and now preserved in the Janapada Lokha, located in Ramanagara District of Karnataka.