Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Temple
Jayanagara 9th Block, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560069
Situated on a hillock in suburban southern Bangalore, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, known as the monkey god servant of Lord Ram. A host of other deities are also honored here, and the temple doubles as a center for social welfare, providing education and medical services to the community.
The basics
The temple gets its name from a local legend in which a pious woman offers just-harvested ragi (a type of millet) to visitors seeking alms. When her mother-in-law discovers this, she demands her daughter reclaim the grains. The daughter-in-law refuses, and the ragi immediately transform into the hillock where the temple now stands. As it turns out, the three visitors are actually embodiments of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Pleased with the daughter-in-law’s selflessness, they decide to stay, transforming themselves into giant stones that stand—bearing their images—at the temple to this day.
You can view the stones and the temple grounds whenever the temple is open. Facilities include a pond, a small hermitage with an artificial waterfall, an auditorium, and a goshala (cow sanctuary) with around 30 cows.
Things to know before you go
- All visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
- There's a footwear stand at the front of the temple entrance where shoes can be kept safely, free of charge.
- Lunch is served to all every Saturday. It's free for all, but donations are welcome.
How to get there
The temple is located in the Jayanagar neighborhood, about a 20-minute drive south of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, and is best reached by taxi. If you're coming from the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station in the center of town, give yourself at least 45 minutes to get to the temple. If you prefer public transportation, note that the nearest metro stop is Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road, a 25-minute walk or 10-minute auto-rickshaw ride away.
When to get there
The temple opens every morning, closes for a spell in the afternoon, and reopens again in the evening. Exact timings vary, so it's best to check the temple website or call ahead before visiting. If you want to experience the temple at its most festive, visit during the annual Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Vijayam celebrations, which honor Lord Hanuman in April.
The Ragigudda Trust
One of the temple's focuses is around welfare, offering charitable programs that help aid local communities. Programs include a school for nearly 1,300 students, free tutoring for high school and engineering students, and a medical center with a lab and screening capabilities. There are also heavily discounted wedding facilities for the needy.
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