A Distinctive Temple

Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra stands as a distinctive temple in Malleswaram, notable for its south-facing Nandi and Shiva idols—an orientation considered rare in Hindu temple architecture. Positioned in front of the Gangamma Temple and diagonally opposite the Kadu Malleswara temple, the temple operates at a level below the ground, existing in a quiet contrast to the bustling neighborhood.

The Sacred Water Source

At the temple's center lies a stone Nandi perched on a platform above the Shivalinga, from whose mouth water flows continuously onto the lingam below. This sacred stream of water, believed by devotees to carry healing properties and honored as 'tirtha', gathers in a stepped tank called a Kalyani that anchors the entire complex. While the source of this continuous water flow remains unexplained, some suggest it may be connected to underground piping from Sankey Tank.

Origins and Early History

Historical accounts of the temple's origins vary. While the temple is often described as being over 400 years old, historian B.N. Sundara Rao documents in his book, "Bengalurina Itihasa" that philanthropist Rao Bahadur Yele Mallappa Shetty constructed the Kalyani, Nandi, and Shivalinga around 1882. Shetty, hailing from a family in the betel leaf trade, was known for other charitable works including a tank in KR Puram and contributions to a maternity hospital on Nrupathunga Road (which no longer exists).

Rediscovery in 1997

The temple's modern history centers on its rediscovery in 1997. Having fallen into disuse and gradually becoming buried under accumulated soil and debris, only the upper portion of the Nandi's head remained visible. As Malleswaram developed into a sought-after residential area, rising property values led to an attempt to claim the site as vacant land for development. Protests by local residents against this prompted excavation work, which revealed the complete temple complex, including the Kalyani with its carvings of fish, turtles, and snakes on the steps.

Architectural Features

The temple follows traditional Hindu architectural principles, built as a double-storied colonnaded structure surrounding the central stepped tank. Fish and turtle carvings decorate the Kalyani steps, while live turtles inhabit the tank itself. A Ganesha shrine is also present within the complex. The temple's water management system originally connected to a well and storm drain network that emptied into Jakkarayana Lake, though this system has since been compromised by encroachment.

Religious Activities and Festivals

Regular worship activities include various poojas and festivals such as Dakshinamurthy Pooja, Pradosha Kaala Pooja, and Mahashivaratri celebrations. During Dakshinamurthy Pooja, devotees receive sacred threads believed to provide 'guru bala' or divine assistance. The Kartik month celebrations feature oil lamp lighting on the temple steps, creating what devotees describe as a divine atmosphere for viewing the deities.

A Living Heritage

Known by various names—Nandi Tirtha, Nandishwarama Tirtha, Basava Tirtha—the temple weaves itself into Malleswaram's tapestry of sacred spaces that connect the community to a world of divinity. Its rediscovery and continued operation demonstrate the temple's role in the neighborhood's devotional practices, serving as a gathering place for regular worship activities and seasonal celebrations. The temple's unique features and ongoing religious functions maintain its position as a distinctive element within Malleswaram's spiritual landscape.