Frequently Asked Questions

Kailasagiri Guhantara Devalaya is the largest man-made cave temple complex built in the last 1,000 years. Spanning over 20,000 square feet, this sacred complex features multiple interconnected caves dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities. It is located near Bangalore in Karnataka, India.

The temple is located at Kavalaganahalli, Chintamani Taluk, Chikkaballapura District, Karnataka 563125. It is approximately 80 km from Bangalore.

The temple is open for darshan from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Please call ahead to confirm timings, especially during special occasions and festivals.

No, the temple is free for all visitors. There is no entry fee or ticket required to visit and have darshan.

From Bangalore, take the route via Hosakote – H Cross – Kaiwara Cross. The temple is approximately 80 km from Bangalore, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours by road. The roads are well-maintained and suitable for all vehicles.

Yes, free parking is available at the base of the hill. There is ample space for cars, two-wheelers, and buses.

Yes, free Anna Danam (meals) is served daily from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM to all visitors. The temple has been providing this service since 2001, feeding over 400 devotees every day.

The temple offers various sevas including Rudra Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, Kumkum Archana, and Ksheera Abhishekam. Each seva is performed by trained priests following traditional Agama procedures.

You can book a seva by contacting the temple at +91 8884923104 or by filling out the seva inquiry form on our Seva & Puja page.

Online payment integration is coming soon. Currently, donations can be made via UPI and bank transfer. Please visit our Donations page for details.

Basic rooms are available through the trust for devotees visiting from afar. Please contact the temple office at +91 8884923104 for availability and booking.

Visitors are requested to wear modest and traditional attire as a mark of respect. Footwear must be removed before entering the cave temple areas.

Photography is permitted in the outer areas of the temple complex but is restricted near the sanctum sanctorum. Please respect the sacred spaces and follow the guidelines provided by temple staff.

The best time to visit is between September and February when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for the hill walk. However, the temple is beautiful year-round and Maha Shivaratri is an especially auspicious time to visit.

A complete darshan of the temple complex typically takes 2 to 3 hours, including the walk up the hill, visiting all the caves, and having prasadam.

The temple is located atop a hill with a 500-meter walk that is steep in places. Elderly visitors and those with mobility challenges should plan accordingly and take frequent rest breaks. It is advisable to carry water and wear comfortable footwear for the climb.

The temple was founded by Sri Chowda Reddy under the Sri Gangadhareshwara Seva Trust, established in 1994. The magnificent cave sculptures were created by the legendary Late Sri S.M. Ganapathi Stapathi, one of India's foremost temple sculptors, in the authentic Chola-Pallava tradition.

The temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri with grand festivities attracting thousands of devotees, along with monthly Masa Shivaratri, Karthika Pournami, and Girija Kalyanam. Each festival features special pujas, abhishekams, and cultural programs.

Anna Danam is the free meal program that has been running at the temple since 2001. Nutritious vegetarian meals are served to all visitors without any charge. Over 400 devotees are served daily, embodying the spirit of selfless service (seva) that is central to the temple's mission.

Volunteers are always welcome! You can help with Anna Danam service, temple maintenance, and festival preparations. To volunteer, please contact the temple at +91 8884923104 or email kailasagiriguhantara@gmail.com.