Meditate at Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple, Hulimavu Bangalore
WE would have passed by this Hulimavu Temple counting it as another small shrine in Bannerghatta, outskirts of Bangalore. Mention of Cave Temple outside got me curious. The exterior is just a small gopura with not many impressive sculptures. But stepping in was like stepping into a different world. It is a cave with a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple in Hulimavu is one of the few cave temples of Bangalore.
Sri Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple Hulimavu
This is one of the rare cave temple in Bangalore. It is cool soothing calm and peaceful inside the cave. As you enter towards the left is the shrine and towards right is the Dhyana Mantapa (place for meditation). It has the capacity to accommodate around 100 devotees at a time. The cave temple is well lit and has two points at either end for natural ventilation in addition to the main entrance.
The shrine seems to be renovated one, made with granite stones and metal framings. Inside the shrine there are idols of Lord Anjaneya, His consort and brother, Lord Ganesha and Devi (Goddess). Each of the idols was beautifully decked with fresh flowers and jewels. On our request the pujari offered prayers by lighting lamp and chanting mantras. Just next to the shrine is a rectangular stone on which is believed to be samadhi spot of Sri Ramanand Swamiji.
Dhyana Mantap
Dhyana means meditation. The height of the space inside the cave is 6ft at one end to as low as 4ft in the extreme end. One can sit inside and meditate. Those who have meditated here claim to feel positive vibrations and peace of mind. One of the daily activities here is Yoga class for locals.
History and Discovery of Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple
We were told by the pujari that the temple is 2000 years old. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) too mentions the cave is over 2,000 years old. Though the temple is 2000 years old it is said the temple inside is just 400 or 500 years old. Last renovation was done by Sri Sri Balagangadaraswami. There is no definite mention of this in any historical records. Old-timers and locals of Hulimavu say many saints have meditated here inside this cave. In 1850 the idols of the Gods and Goddesses were placed in the temple.
The story surrounding the discovery of the cave is interesting. Mariappa Swamiji, the managing trustee of the temple, who along with his colleagues developed this cave temple. While doing some repair work at the Sri Vishwanath Temple in Nandi Hills he met a sage in the hills. This sage entrusted him with a strange task of identifying a similar sage meditating in a cave in Bengaluru. Mariappa Swamiji then started Swami’s search, which ended when he found Sri Ramanand Swamiji meditating in this cave. A temple was built inside and later a samadhi for Sri Ramanand Swamiji, who attained Jeeva Samadhi 12 years after the discovery the cave. This is probably one of the few known Jeeva Samadhi in Bangalore.
Statue of Sri Ramanand Swamiji
Coming out of the temple to your right you will find a shrine with statue of Sri Ramanand Swamiji. It is in a red and white striped structure. There is a beautiful idol of Lord Krishna too. And in the main hall there are the 9 granite slabs etched with figures of Navagrahas are the “nine celestial bodies”. (These are the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, and Rahu the ascending and Ketu the descending lunar nodes.)
Hulimavu Cave Temple Timings
Open every day from 6:00 am – 12:30 pm 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm only.
Hulimavu Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple Address
Hulimavu is 15km from Majestic Bus stand in Bangalore. It can take one to one and half hours depending on traffic to reach the temple. There is ample parking space inside the temple complex, so no worries if you are using private vehicle.
Postal Address, Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple, Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Distt Bangalore, Karnataka. Pin Code, 560076.
Nearby places to visit
There are scores of temples nearby. Bannerghatta National Park is 11km from this temple. There are plenty of eateries nearby.
ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಇಂದು ರಾತ್ರಿಯೊಳಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಕೈ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಶಕ್ತಿ ನೀಡು ತಂದೆ, ನಿನ್ನಯ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆದು, ರುದ್ರಾಭಿಷೇಕ ಸೇವೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಪ್ರತಿ ವರ್ಷ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರೆ ಅರ್ಚನೆ, ಅನ್ನದಾನ ಸೇವೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, 108 ತುಪ್ಪದ ದೀಪ ಹಚ್ಚಿ, ಒಂದು ಮಡಿಕೆ ದೀಪದ ಎಣ್ಣಿ ಹರಕೆ ಅರ್ಪಿಸುವೆ ತಂದೆ ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಇಂದು ರಾತ್ರಿಯೊಳಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಕೈ ಕಾಲಿಗೆ ಶಕ್ತಿ ನೀಡಿ ಕಾಪಾಡು ತಂದೆ.
a calm and cool place for meditate you have here! I really want to travel to India..
Nice images, Thanks for sharing!
Right in our backyard and so unheard of. It seems like quite a peaceful place with none of those jazzy things. Clearly this is all about serious dhyana. Loved the background story to it.
It’s fascinating to see different places of worship, and inside a 2000 year old temple! I love that the locals come to do yoga and meditation here, it should be a place for the whole community to enjoy, appreciate and worship.
What an interesting cave temple – I suppose it would be a very quiet and reflective atmosphere. It is very different from the temples I worship in, but it certainly has merit as a place of devotion.
I cannot believe that the cave is 2000 years old. RAMALINGESHWARA CAVE TEMPLE has really stood the test of time and the carvings are incredible. I cannot imagine doing yoga inside!
Ramalingeshwara Cave temple looks like a great place to visit. 2000 years old Temple – I am actually stunned reading that. Meditation under the cave where height varies from 6 feet to 4 feet, that is quite interesting. I would love to visit this place someday for sure.
What an amazing temple to visit. I love seeing unique places of worship like this. Even though I’m not religious I can see how this would be an amazing place to mediate and reflect on the world
Wow, what a unique experience. Fascinating to learn about this cave temple and meditation. I’d love to try a yoga class in the cave. It sounds extremely calming.
Looks like an incredible place to visit, I’d love to experience meditating here!
There is a cave church in Budapest that somewhat resembles this cave temple in Bangalore. Obviously, that is a Christian church, but the idea is very similar. I like the atmosphere of this temple. It’s very calm and peaceful and it makes you feel inclined to meditate, indeed. Hope to visit this Hulimavu Temple someday.
The cave carving has really stood the test of time.Curious as to why the temple is closed during mid-day? Is it because it’s too hot?
Oh my, this looks like such an amazingly peaceful place! I wish I practiced yoga just so I could do some there. I love your photos, and the very detailed descriptions of the inner decorations of the temple.
Wow, practicing yoga in this cave temple would be an amazing experience. The Dhyana Mantap looks unique, sure the vibrations inside is very calming. Will be sure to check it out during my next visit to Bangalore, thanks for the share!
It does seem cool, peaceful, and soothing inside. There is always something special about being this close to the Earth. The sounds reverberate differently and the air has a special quality. This looks like a beautiful place to visit
I have a really hard time sitting still to mediate, which means I really need it! Love the idea of having a designated area specifically for that, amazed that it holds so many people. I could sure use the peace and good vibes
This sounds like an ideal place for the locals to practice yoga! I like how the age of the temple keeps differing too lol. I guess it’s really not easy to tell. The stone statues are incredible too with so much fine detail.
Wow, this looks a fascinating place to visit. I love finding hidden gems like cave temples on my travels. Is it a little claustrophobic inside? Low ceilings make me nervous 🙂
Wow this is an awesome find in bangalore. Is the place suitable to visit with people having orthopedic problems? also do we need to book a prior appointment for meditation? I have been living in Bangalore for so many years but did not know about it.
Yes people with orthopedic problems too can visit, not too many steps to climb. No prior appointment required to visit the temple for meditation. But at festival times it can get crowded.
This looks an incredible cave temple to visit. As I enjoy yoga I would love to take a yoga class inside – it would be a unique experience and quite calming I would suspect. I can see why people feel a complete sense of mind when they visit here.