| Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple | |
|---|---|
 A Trident of Lord Shiva outside the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple at Bengaluru. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Bengaluru |
| Deity | Shiva as Gavi Gangadhareshwara |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri,Makara Sankranti |
| Location | |
| Location | Gavipuram |
| State | Karnataka |
| Country | India |
  Location within Bengaluru | |
| Coordinates | 12°56′53.5″N77°33′46.8″E / 12.948194°N 77.563000°E /12.948194; 77.563000 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Indian rock-cut architecture |
| Completed | 16th century CE |
GaviGangadhareshwaraTemple, or Sri Gangaadhareshwara, also Gavipuram Cave Temple, an example ofIndian rock-cut architecture, is located inBengaluru in the state ofKarnataka inIndia. 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 byKempe Gowda I, the founder of the city.[1]
This cave temple dedicated toShiva. It is believed to have been built byGautama Maharishi andBharadwaja Muni in theVedic period. It was later renovated in the 16th century CE byKempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru.
One of the oldest temples in Bengaluru, Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple was built by Kempe Gowda in recognition after being released from a prison term of five years byRama Raya. The temple Gavi is an architectural marvel that attracts the faithful by the hordes.
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 The temple is also known for its four monolithic pillars, representingDamaru,Trishul and two large circular discs on the patio.
Two paintings dated 1 May 1792 CE by Thomas and William Daniell brothers shows that the temple has gone through some construction work with new walls and enclosures.[2]: 1635
The temple complex has numerous shrines for various detities in addition to the main deityGavi Gangadhareswara.
The idol ofAgnimurthi inside the temple has two heads, seven hands and three legs. It is believed that worship of the deity would cure defects of the eye.
On the occasion ofMakar Sankranti, the temple witnesses a unique phenomenon in the evening where sunlight passes through an arc between the horns ofNandi and falls directly on thelinga inside the cave and illuminating the interior idol for an hour.[3] Lakhs of devotees come in mid January every year onMakarsankranti day to this cave temple.
Comparison of contemporary structures and earlier drawings byThomas 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] Of late, 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
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.
The temple shrine is a protected monument under theKarnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961.[6]
The temple saw numerous colonial artists painting different scenes over the years.
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