Long, long ago, Bangalore wasn’t a place as popular as today. The city that grew to be one of India’s most important hubs was a place steeped in culture and tradition. Laden with spirituality, mysticism, and a unique way of life, Bangalore was the epicentre of South Indian heritage. A magical place replete with silks and sandal, where the river Kaveri flowed by, where the Mysore and Vijayanagara empires left their precious vestiges, and where writers and poets took long morning strolls through beautiful boulevards.
The modern Bangalore (as we know it today) was born from a place much smaller with a story much mightier. Earlier called Sunkenahalli village, famous for its groundnut fields, the place where Bangalore really began is called Basavanagudi. It was here that the foundation of Bangalore’s future was laid. As the altar of art, culture, and intellectualism, Basavanagudi emerged as one of the city’s most important locales. Over the years this quaint place steeped in an unforgettable tradition became the treasury of many stories told even today.
When one discovers Basavanagudi, it’s like discovering a relic that preserves within it living memories of yesteryears. It’s as if the whole place were an archaeological site brimming with ancient temples, historic landmarks, and a charming story that deserves to be told.
Bull Temple
The story of Basavanagudi dates back many centuries – the 16th century to be precise. The story began with a bull. (Yes, you read that right!). Legend has it, the mysterious bull appeared often and destroyed groundnut crops year after year. Upon being struck with a club by an enraged farmer, the bull inexplicably turned into a statue and was worshipped since then as a divine entity. Later, the local farmers built The Bull Temple in memory of this miraculous incident. The area was hence named Basavanagudi (Basava: bull, Gudi: temple). Heritage in Basavanagudi begs mention of the famous Kadalekai Parishe (Groundnut Fair), which occurs in November every year and pays homage to this gloriously mystical legend. The tradition began in the 16th century with farmers offering their first harvest of the season to Lord Basava at the Bull Temple. The fair brings traditional foods and trinkets aplenty, along with various fairground distractions to complete the festive atmosphere.
Even centuries later, the neighbourhood boasts such bastions of heritage that lend an aura of timelessness to this place. Today, Basavanagudi is one of the most sought-after residential locations in Bangalore. The reasons are simple. Every Bangalore aficionado wants to claim their share of this eternal story. With such rich heritage ingrained in the fabric of this enchanting place, there is no other place in the city that can be proud of such golden traditions. Basavanagudi still retains a rare sense of tranquillity imbued with a true sense of history.
The Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple – yet another feather in Basavanagudi’s cap – is an architectural marvel and one of the city’s oldest temples. Built in the 16th century by Bangalore’s founder, Kempe Gowda, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the entire temple was carved out of a natural cave into a single monolith. Every year on Makar Sankranti a unique phenomenon is observed. The day’s last sun rays pass through the arc between Nandi bull’s horns and falls directly on the linga inside the temple’s inner sanctum, illuminating it. An occurrence that remains unexplained to this day.
As a place that still preserves the culture of yesteryears, finding a home in Basavanagudi is an alluring dream for many investors, expats, and Bangalorean. For homeowners and investors alike, South Bangalore provides something unique: The old-world charm.
Basavanagudi is a neighbourhood that exemplifies this charm. A melting pot of both quaint and contemporary hotspots, the Basavanagudi experience ranges from the rustic Gandhi Bazaar and Vidyarthi Bhavan to boutique restaurants, to educational institutes, to lifestyle options, making this place a truly unique offering.
Vidyarthi Bhavan
One other thing very few know is Basavanagudi’s rustic and picturesque backdrop brought inspiration to RK Narayan, writer of the classic Malgudi Days. He derived the word ‘Malgudi’ for his novel series from the word ‘Basavanagudi’. Eventually, Basavanagudi became the hub of famous Kannada intellectuals, writers, and thought leaders of the time.
One interesting consideration for investors is the fact that the stability of real estate is high in Basavanagudi due to its proximity to the central business district. In other words, prices in Basavanagudi are more or less future-proof in terms of volatile changes. The strategic placement of Basavanagudi makes it one of the most spectacular living experiences as well as a veritable gold mine from an investment viewpoint.
Another reason Basavanagudi is truly coveted is because it retains ample greenery, even when not taking into consideration the sheer number of parks and community gardens that provide lavish lung spaces for residents. Lalbagh, in particular, is home to a wide variety of trees including a large mango tree planted by the late Maharaja of Mysore, Tipu Sultan himself.
Another landmark worth mentioning is Bugle Rock Park, consisting of 3000 million-year-old rock formations, existing in harmony with Dodda Ganesha Temple and Nandi temple. Apart from enclosed parks, Basavanagudi roads are lined with plentiful tree cover, so much so that there’s a noticeable difference in the amount of foliage when entering Basavanagudi from other areas. Walking through Basavanagudi, one may stumble upon various lesser-known gardens and parks, such as Hanumantha Nagar park and Jayanthi Garden, each with its own beauty.
No one imagined that capturing the true traditions of Basavanagudi would happen in the form of an exclusive real estate project. Svasa Homes is a revolutionary venture in Basavanagudi created by Machani Group, one of India’s most established family businesses. Envisioned to pay tribute to the legacy of Basavanagudi as much as to the legacy of Bangalore, the project is designed on the deeper aspects of heritage, community, and luxury.
Truth be told, the heart of a city goes beyond geographical locations. The true heart of a city is where its culture thrives in all its glory, a place that defines the essence of the city and transports you to a time beyond the boundaries of past, present, and future. Even to this day, Bangalore’s heart most certainly beats in Basavanagudi.
