Temple Description

The Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra is a small temple located on 2nd Temple Street in Malleswaram, a north-western area of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It sits directly in front of the Gangamma temple and diagonally opposite the Kadu Malleshwara temple.

Commonly known as Nandi Tirtha, Nandishwara Teertha, Basava Teertha, or simply Malleswaram Nandi Gudi, the temple’s central deity is Shiva in the form of a Shiva Linga (lingam). Rediscovered in 1997 after being buried for about 400 years, the temple’s history is intertwined with the local area.

Toponymy: The temple features a unique stone Nandi (bull) statue that faces south, known as Dakshinamuka Nandi, meaning ‘South-facing Nandi’. A continuous stream of holy water flows from the Nandi’s mouth onto the Shiva Linga and then into a stepped tank or Kalyani. The term ‘Kshetra’ signifies a significant or sacred place in Kannada, contributing to the temple’s full name.

Temple History: Despite being reported as 400 years old, records suggest that the Nandi Tirtha temple, including the Kalyani and the Shiva Linga, was actually constructed around 1882 by Rao Bahadur Yele Mallappa Shetty. The source of the water flowing from the Nandi remains unknown. This water was historically directed to a Kalyani, then to a well in front of the temple’s southern entrance, and eventually to a storm water drain, though this network has since been encroached upon. The temple complex also features a double-storied colonnaded structure and a shrine to Ganesha.

Rediscovery in 1997: Over time, the temple fell into disuse and was covered by dirt, making it disappear from view as it was below the surrounding ground level and lacked a prominent Gopuram tower. The existence of the temple was remembered by local residents, and in 1997, as Malleswaram’s property values rose, there was an attempt to claim the site for development. Following local protests, excavation revealed the buried temple.

Architecture and Layout: The temple is designed with a pillared corridor surrounding a central stepped tank or Kalyani. Unlike most temples where the Nandi faces the Shiva Linga, here the Nandi is positioned on a platform above the Linga. The water flowing from the Nandi’s mouth onto the Shiva Linga collects in the Kalyani, with any excess flowing into an external well. The source of this water remains a mystery to this day.