Sri Shanimahathma Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is about 50 km away.

• By train

  Bengaluru City and Yeshvantpur are the nearest railway stations.

• By road

  KSRTC buses are available, and taxis can be hired. The temple is about 45 km from Kempegowda bus station and 15 km from Nelamangala.

Why devotees come here

Sri Shanimahathma Temple in Chikka Madhure village, Bangalore Rural district, is dedicated to Shani, or Saturn, one of the nine Navagrahas, the planets worshipped in Hindu temples. The district government page calls it one of the famous pilgrimage centres.

Local legend says a farmer named Ganga Hanumaiah built the temple to dedicate it to Shani, to pacify his vengeance and the difficulties in one's life. The district government page also credits him with its construction, as a local farmer. The temple lies near Chikka Madhure (Kanaswadi) village in Doddaballapur taluk, Bangalore Rural district.

The temple follows the South Indian style and has a gopuram, the tall gateway tower found on most South Indian temples. The gopuram is carved with many sculptures, and the design is in the Dravidian style. Inside, the idol of Shani is completely black, clad in black cloth and decorated with jewellery.

Its main festival is an annual chariot procession. Thousands of devotees come to watch it each year.

Festivals

• AnnuallyChariot procession

  Thousands of devotees come to watch the chariot procession each year.

Tips for your visit

• Huge numbers of devotees come on the Saturdays of Shravana Masa, from late July to the third week of August.
• From Nelamangala, tourists can hire a bus to Doddaballapur (18 km) via Chikka Madhure.

Questions people ask