Shri Bande Mahakali Temple (Moola udbhava Devi) — Attraction in Bengaluru

Shri Bande Mahakali Temple – A Divine Rock of Power and Peace in Bengaluru

The name “Bande” (meaning rock in Kannada) comes from the very form of the goddess who has self-manifested (Swayambhu) on a massive rock surface. Unlike sculpted idols, this divine form is not man-made, giving it a raw, untamed, and ancient power. The four-armed form of Maa holds the trident, drum, gestures of blessing and protection—symbolizing fierce love and fearless protection.

What sets this temple apart is its authenticity. There’s no commercialization. The priests are humble, the surroundings still carry the old-world charm of a forgotten Bengaluru. You can hear parrots chirping, see simple women in sarees lighting lamps, and smell the divine fragrance of lemons and turmeric—all of which transport you to a bygone era where devotion was personal and profound.

Special Rituals: A unique practice here is offering lemons to the Goddess. After the pooja, this lemon is returned to you—devotees say that as it dries, your inner troubles fade away. It’s deeply symbolic and comforting.

Festivals: During Navratri, the temple comes alive with energy—colorful decorations, spiritual chanting, golu displays, and daily prasad distribution. On Tuesdays and Fridays, many women gather to recite Lalitha Sahasranama, filling the air with divine vibrations.

Cleanliness & Accessibility: The temple is well-maintained despite its ancient structure. It is easily accessible by road and there’s usually ample space for parking nearby. Morning hours are less crowded if you seek silence and undisturbed darshan.

My Personal Experience: Every visit leaves me feeling recharged. There is an unshakable sense of protection, like a mother guarding her child. No matter what burdens I carry into the temple, I feel them lift gently, as if Mahakali absorbs them into Her mighty form.

This temple is not for entertainment. It is not meant for hurried prayers. Come here when you’re ready to surrender, to let go, to cry if you must—or simply to sit and feel Her. If you are drawn to Devi, especially in her fierce yet compassionate form, this temple will call you again and again.

Jai Mahakali! Jai Durge! Jai Chamundeshwari!

May She bless all who seek Her with...

Sri Bande Mahakali Devalaya is also called Sri Bande Kalamma temple and also spelled as “Sri Bande Mahakaali Devalaya” dedicated to Goddess Sri Mahakali one of the most fearful manifestations of the Supreme Goddess Shakti.  However, in this temple, the divine mother is the Soumya Swaroopa (pleasing form)and is situated on a small hillock on the banks of Kempambudhi lake and right next to the historical Landmark and icon of Bangalore city, “Kempegowda WatchTower” This history as narrated by Mr. Shashikumar, the chief priest and Secretary at Sri Bande Mahakali Temple which was a very ancient temple in the middle of rocks that was lost some centuries ago, but in the year 1509 CE, a miracle happened when a lady Shepard by the name Nanjamma, while gazing at sheep and Cows heard an airborne voice ordering her to Worship the idol ( present-day deity Sri Bande Mahakali) but the Najamma thought this as an act of local village boys, ignored it. After one week again Nanjamma heard the same voice, but this time informed the villagers when the villagers came here and searched this placed to their delight they found the “Sri Mahakali” carved out of a big rock, they named it Sri Bande Mahakali Amma. Later Nanjamma started to worship this idol every day and one day in the year 1520 CE, Kempe Gowda I the founder of modern-day Bengaluru, had left a bullock cart to mark a place to build a Watchtower, Bullock cart which he left had halted next to this temple.  that the reason a Watchtower, Gavipura Watchtower is located to this temple. Kempegowda had taken the blessings of Sri Bande Mahakali while constructing the Bengaluru, had also built this temple. To the present day, this temple is administered by the lineage of Sri Nanjamma, now the secretary and chief priest are Sri Shashikumar. The Bande Mahakali Temple at Gavipuram Guttahalli is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. A nearly three-foot-tall mahogany sculpture carved into a rock stands on a pedestal. Nice place to visit with family and friends. Address- No 75 shri Bande Mahakali Temple Kempabudhi kere yeri, Brindavan Nagar, Gavipuram Guttahalli, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560019 Land mark -Near...

It was an awesome experience for me 🥹 That was my first visit to the temple with my mom & younger son☺️ I must share my wow & goosebumps experience, I visited this temple on Karthika maasa (month) Monday hunnime(full moon day) First, I was purchased pooja items inside the temple, one young man was standing behind me in the queue. After purchasing, we don’t know where to go & what to see first as per the temple rituals.. that young man came to us and told sister don’t worry, I will guide you to visit the temple properly.. He took us to various goddesses in the temple premises After we went to visit the main goddess “Sri Bande Mahakali amma”, it’s an unexplainable experience 🥹 amma looks without alankara one type and after alankara, she looks so pretty & beautiful 🥰 Pandits pour abhisheka jal through the goddess at that time we have to bend so that the same water will pour out on us also🙏🙏 As per our Hindu religion, it’s too auspicious to have the Abhishek water on one’s body. The young man stood with us throughout the darshana. We had a wonderful lunch as a prasadam offered by the temple to all the devotees. That young man (his name: Ganesh Nataraj)was helped like a brother & we took nice photos to cherish that visit.. He stood with us till our vehicle & driver came.. why I told all these means, many of the outsiders in Bangalore,always telling us that, nobody helps in Bangalore but it’s wrong, it’s not always true.. very huge parking place outside the temple available for 2 & 4 wheeler vehicles.. Special entry is also there to have fast Darshana.. Prasadam & Drishti nivarana items for kids & home also available to buy. Very much crowd on some special days like amavasya, hunnime, Tuesday, Friday & During Navarathri, on these days, it will take 3 to 5 hours to have Darshana.. So please plan accordingly but my suggestion, special occasions have special power, so no matter of how many hours 😜 “ Devi Sarva Bhootheshu, Maathru Rupena Samsthitha, Namasthasye, Namasthasye, Namasthasye Namo...