Leave The Daily Grind Behind Momentarily & Embrace Spirituality At These Temple Towns Near Bangalore

Having earned the title of modern India’s IT capital, Bangalore is perhaps most well known for its sleek modern offices, swanky shopping malls, and stylish pubs and restaurants. However, the city also happens to be steeped in history, and its storied past has seen the construction of numerous temples and similar places of worship in the city and in its vicinity. So, leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and delve into the world of spirituality as you tour some of the most popular temple towns near Bangalore.

With temples dating as far back as the 10th century dotted in and around the city, Bangalore is not just a hub for young working professionals, but also a popular tourist destination for visitors who wish to leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind in an effort to immerse themselves in peace and spirituality. Not just that, these temples are shining examples of ancient architecture, drawing their fair share of history buffs as well. So, whether it’s the search for inner peace or the fascination with the past that guides you, we’ve put together a list of temple towns near Bangalore that must be on your itinerary ahead of your next visit.

Tirupati

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Besides being one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations across South India, Tirupati actually has bona fide holiday destination credentials, especially during the winters, due to its extremely pleasant climate! So, come for the temples, and stay a day or two longer for the weather, as you explore your delightful surroundings. Among the multitude of temples located here, the most notable are the Iskcon Temple, the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, the Varahaswami Temple, the Avanakshamma temple, and the Parasurameswara Temple in Gudimallam. Another aspect that makes Tirupati so popular among devotees is its fairs and festivals, with the Srivari Brahmotsavan, Ratha Saptami, Vijayanagara Festival held at Chandragiri Fort and the Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival being some of the major attractions. Another popular event is the Gangamma Jatra, which is held for a week in May at the Tataiah Gunta Gangamma temple.
Distance From Bangalore: 247 km

Puttaparthi

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The birthplace of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi is a tranquil town located on the banks of the Chitravathi river. The Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, which translates to ‘the abode of highest peace’ is located here. Inaugurated in 1950, this is where you can see the hall where Sai Baba used to greet worshippers and preach his message. Besides the ashram, there is also a Hanuman Temple, the Lord Dattatreya Temple, the Vata Vriksha Gopalswamy Temple, and the Sathyabhama Temple where visitors can pay their respects. 

Distance From Bangalore: 154 km

Srirangapatna

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Srirangapatna derives its name from the Ranganatha Swamy Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu that was built by rulers of the Ganga Dynasty. One of the largest such temples in Karnataka, this sacred site showcases a blend of Vijayanagar and Hoysala styles of temple architecture and has over 50 shrines dotted across the temple complex. Srirangapatna happens to be a popular destination among recreational holidaymakers as well, as the entire town is surrounded by the Kaveri river to form a river island, while popular landmarks such as the Tipu Sultan Gumbaz, the Daria Daulat Bagh, and the Karighatta Viewpoint also draw the crowds.

Distance From Bangalore: 129 km

Tirumala

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Surrounded by seven majestic peaks collectively known as the Sapthagiri, the holy till town of Tirumala is among the most popular pilgrimage sites in South India, as it happens to be the homeland of Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. In fact, the seven peaks represent the seven hoods of Adishesha, the serpent on whom lies Lord Vishnu. The iconic Tirumala Temple, which lies on Venkata, the seventh peak, is also called the temple of the seven hills for that reason. Millions of devotees visit this temple year-round, marveling at the Dravidian architecture and paying their respects to the idol of Venkateswara. The most striking feature of this black idol is its spectacular diamond crown, which stakes a claim to be the most precious single ornament in the world. 

Apart from the main temple, other tourist places located on the Tirumala hills include Akasa Ganga, Srivari Padalu, Chakra Theertham, Papavinasam, Talakona Falls, and Silathoranam. However, one can spend a lot of time simply enjoying the magnificent view of the seven hills, where silver clouds meet the stark blue sky to create an enchanting vista.
Distance From Bangalore: 266 km

Lepakshi

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Founded in the 16th century during the reign of the Vijayanagara king Aliya Rama Raya, Lepakshi has a colourful history. It is said that Virupanna, the royal treasurer, was accused of drawing funds from the state treasury to build the Veerabhadra temple without the king's permission. As per the story, he blinded himself to avoid the king's punishment, and the two dark stains upon the wall near the Kalyana Mandapa are said to be the marks left by his eyes. Hence, the village is called Lepa-akshi, which loosely translates to ‘Village of the blinded eye’.

Lepakshi is characterised by Vijayanagara style temples and refined architecture, with the aforementioned Veerbhadra Temple being its most famous place of worship. It is decorated with exquisite paintings depicting the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, with a statue of Lord Shiva also on the premises. Among other sights to behold are the hanging pillar that is supported from the top, and a huge Nagalingam, standing on a granite block and shrouded by a seven-headed cobra, that has been carved out of single rock. The monolithic Nandi in Lepakshi village is another remarkable feature. The tradition for excellent craftsmanship continues to this day, Lepakshi’s local handicrafts being extremely popular all over the country.

Distance From Bangalore: 123 km