Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple also Gavipura Cave Temple, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, is located in Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka in India. The temple is famous for its mysterious stone discs in the forecourt and the exact planning allowing the sun to shine on the shrine during certain time of the year. It was built in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of the city.[1]

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
A Trident of Lord Shiva outside the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple at Bengaluru.
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictBengaluru
DeityShiva as Gavi Gangadhareshwara
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri, Makara Sankranti
Location
LocationGavipura
StateKarnataka
CountryIndia
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is located in Bengaluru
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
Location within Bengaluru
Geographic coordinates12°56′53.5″N 77°33′46.8″E
Architecture
TypeIndian rock-cut architecture
Completed16th century AD

Temple

This cave temple dedicated to Shiva in Bengaluru is a well visited temple. Built by Gautama Maharshi and Bharadwaja Muni in Vedic period. Renovated in the 16th century AD by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru, Temple Gavi Gangadhareshwara is an architectural marvel that attracts the faithful by the hordes. One of the oldest temples in Bengaluru, Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple was built by Kempe Gowda in recognition after being released from prison of five years by Rama Raya. There are other idols inside including idol of Agnimurthi having two heads, seven hands and three legs. Those who worship this deity believe it will cure one of the defects of the eye. The temple is also known for its four monolithic pillars, representing Damaru, Trishul and two fans on the patio.

Built in a natural cave in Gavipuram, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and cut into a monolithic stone. The courtyard of the temple contains several monolithic sculptures. The main attractions of Gavi Gangadhareshvara temple are two granite pillars that support the giant disk of the sun and moon, and two pillars having several carvings of Nandi in a sitting posture at the top.[2]: 1632 

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the temple witnesses a unique phenomenon in the evening where sunlight passes through an arc between the horns of Nandi and falls directly on the linga inside the cave and illuminating the interior idol.[3]

Two paintings dated 1 May 1792 AD by Thomas and William Daniell brothers shows that the temple has gone through some construction work with new walls and enclosures.[2]: 1635 

Deities inside the Temple

Illumination of shrine by the Sun

Lakhs of devotees come in mid January every year on Makar sankranti day to this cave temple. This is a special day when the sun rays fall on the Shivalinga for one hour as it passes between the horns of the Nandi. Comparison of contemporary structures and earlier drawings by Thomas Daniell and William Daniell show that earlier the temple had fewer structures and the Sun illuminated the shrine in summer and winter solstice.[4][5][2] Also today the Sun illuminates Shivalinga two times per year - from 13 to 16 January in late afternoons and from 26 November to 2 December.[2]: 1636 

Protected temple

The temple shrine is a protected monument under the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961.[6]

Specialities

People believe that there is a tunnel which may lead to Kashi. However, it is believed that two men named Nishant and Prem went into the tunnel and never returned.

Nearby holy places
  • Gosaayi Math
  • Just behind the temple of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, there is a samadhi of a great yogi called Bet Narayan Maharaj.
  • Sri Bande Mahakali Temple
  • Roof top of the temple
    Roof top of the temple
  • Temple yard with monolithic sculptures
    Temple yard with monolithic sculptures
  • Another view of the roof top of the temple
    Another view of the roof top of the temple
  • Entrance from front
    Entrance from front
  • Entrance from rear side
    Entrance from rear side
  • File:View from the Hepern House, Bangalore (Campbell, 1839)
    File:View from the Hepern House, Bangalore (Campbell, 1839)
  • The Umbrella Temple, Bangalore - J B MacGeorge, 1917
    The Umbrella Temple, Bangalore - J B MacGeorge, 1917

See also

Notes
  1. Shastry, Vyasa (25 February 2017). "The mysteries of Bengaluru's famed Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple". Livemint. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  2. "Astronomical Significance of the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bangalore" (PDF). Current Science, Vol.95, No. 11, 10 December 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  3. "Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple at Bangalore(Karnataka)". Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  4. "A stellar wonder". Deccan Herald. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  5. "IIACD | Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave Temple and Vernacular Dwellings of Gavipuram: A Pilot Study". www.iiacd.org. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. "Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bangalore".

Further reading
  • Hardy, Adam. Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation. New Delhi. ISBN 8170173124.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.