When I searched for a good place to roam around Bangalore, I found Kolar as one such. I have always wanted to visit historical places and temples around the place where I stay. So, 'Kolar google search' fascinated me that I decided to visit the place at least once.
One fine day, we got that chance. We started from Bangalore at around 6 o'clock in the morning. For breakfast, we stopped at Nandi Grand Restaurant which is located 7 kms after the Hoskote Toll gate. I have marked the location below.
This is an average rated restaurant with variety of foods, and its open from 6:30AM - 11:45 PM. You will get a decent food here.
We planned for a very short trip as our parents came along with us. So, we directly went to Sri Someshwara Temple in Kolar. This temple is a very ancient one, dating back to 14th century. It is well-maintained and has a mind-blowing architecture. The sculptures in the temple are mind-blowing. The temple has a Kalyana Mandapa, Vasantha Mandapa and a Goddess Parvathi Shrine inside. The Kalyana mandapa (Marriage Hall) has a number of pillars engraved with beautiful stone carvings and sculptures. They depict men riding horses, elephants, etc. The temple's tall tower clearly conveys that it was constructed by the Cholas who ruled these places since 11th century, who were then dethroned by Chalukyas. The temple was then expanded by the Vijayanagara empire who later ruled these places.
I took a few photographs of them :
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Then, we headed to Kolaramma Temple which is very nearer to Sri Someshwara temple. Kolaramma temple is a very small temple but a beautiful one. This was built by Rajendra Chola I in 1012-1045 A.D. You can still see ancient Tamil letters inscribed in the walls around the temple. It is believed that the Chamundi Devi (Goddess Durga) killed Asura Mahisasura in Kolar and the deity in the temple is in furious state. Thats the reason why we are allowed to worship the Goddess only through a mirror. And there is a Hundi in the temple in scorpion style, which is believed to be good if you drop a coin into the hole, everytime you visit the temple. I will update more about this Hundi after my next visit to the temple. There are a few more stories about the temple, which I will research and update after my next visit. This temple is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Although Someshwara temple was bigger than this, there is something that made me love the Kolaramma temple a lot.
Then we headed to the Kotilingeswara temple, which is 30KM away from Kolaramma temple. Do not take the road that the Google Maps show, as it is not maintained well. You can take the Bangaparpet road which is far better than the one suggested by G-Maps (Just 2 Kms more)
Kotilingeswara temple doesnt have any ancient sculptures, but the small shrines inside are well maintained. The temple looks modern, and has nearly 90 Lakh Lingams inside. The main Lingam and the Nandi statue are so huge that you will definitely get nice Cover Photos. This has a lot of tourist attractions, unlike the other two temples I had mentioned.
I have shared the locations of these temples below.
On the way back to Bangalore, we went to a Non-Veg restaurant 'Delicious'. The food was really delicious. I have shared the location below. The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 12AM.
If you know more stories about these temples, please do leave them in comments.
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