gavi-gangadhareshwara main 1, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka
gavi-gangadhareshwara main 1, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Date built: 16th century AD
Deity: –
Architectural style: Indian rock-cut architecture
Major festivals Maha Shivaratri, Makara Sankranti
Locale: –
District:: Bengaluru
Address: Gavipura, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560019
Phone –
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple also Gavipuram Cave Temple, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, is located in Bangalorein 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 shrine in certain time of the year. It was built in the 16th-century by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of the city.The temple is also known as Gavipuram Cave Temple. It is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The temple is unique from all other temples of Karnataka due to the presence of two huge discs in the foreground of the shrine.

The inner sanctum of the temple has a tall Shivalinga. Another major attraction of the temple is the presence of a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. The figure has two heads, seven hands and three legs. It is perhaps the only temple in South India that has such an idol. The temple has a wonderful sculpture of Nandi (a bull), Shiva’s mount. A beautiful image of Shakti Ganapathi with 12 hands adorns the left side of the main entrance to the temple.

 

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

This cave temple dedicated to Shiva in Bengaluru is a well visited temple. Built 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 idol Agnimurthi including having two heads, seven hands and three legs. Those who worship this deity believe 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 here 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, while the other two have a number of Nandi at the top.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, temple witnesses a unique phenomenon in the evening sunlight passes through an arc between the horns of Nandi and falls directly on the linga inside the cave and illuminating the interior idol. This phenomenon is a proof of the technical excellence of the ancient architects.

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