This week’s featured article is about the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bengaluru. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, also known as Sri Gangadhareshwara, is one of Bengaluru’s oldest and most captivating temples. Built into a natural cave, it’s renowned for its stunning architecture and the unique phenomenon where the sun illuminates the deity for three minutes on Makar Sankranti. This phenomenon occurs in the evening when Dakshinayana gives way to Uttarayana.
In Kannada, the word “gavi” refers to a cave, and the word “gangadhara” refers to the Lord of the River Ganga (Ganges) or the one who adorns the holy Ganga.
The Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961, designates the temple shrine as a protected monument.
Historical Importance
Legend has it that the sages Gautama Maharishi and Bharadwaja Muni carved this cave temple as a penance during the Treta Yuga. Interestingly, Goddess Parvati’s shrine here sits to the right of Lord Shiva, unlike most Shiva temples where she’s positioned on the left. The Vrushabhavati River flows below the primary deity. (As told by the Priest of the temple.)
Bengaluru’s founder and architect, Kempe Gowda I, later extended the temple’s features in the sixteenth century AD. (Rotti, 2013)
Temple Plan:
Carved from Nature’s Embrace:
Bengaluru’s southern terrain unfolds like a canvas of rocky outcrops, a testament to its ancient geological story. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple itself whispers this tale; its natural cave formation is evident from the moment you step inside. The ceiling, walls, and floor bear the undeniable mark of nature’s chisel, crafting a sacred space within the embrace of the earth.
Architecture:
This inherent connection to the land is further echoed in the temple’s courtyard, which is adorned with symbolic representations of Shiva’s power. The trident, damaru, and Nandi bull come alive in stone, silently narrating the stories of the divine. These are part of the extensions to the temple. (Shastry, 2018)
Moving past the courtyard, the Ardha Mandapam, a hall supported by intricately carved pillars, leads to the Mahamandapam, housing the sanctum sanctorum with relevance to the magnificence of the Vijayanagar Empire. Here, bathed in the soft glow of devotion, lies the heart of the temple, waiting to be discovered. (Shastry, 2018)
Kempe Gowda’s Touch of Gratitude:
In the 16th century, a wave of gratitude washed over Bengaluru’s founder, Kempe Gowda I. Following a five-year imprisonment, he returned to bestow upon the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple a magnificent renovation—a testament to his devotion. This extension, a sprawling 105 by 50 feet, unfolds before the original sanctum. (Rotti, 2013)
As you step through the 50-foot main entrance, divided into two distinct sections, prepare to be greeted by a tapestry of symbolic motifs. The first 25 feet reveal a harmonious alignment of:
Shiva’s Trident: A towering representation of power and protection, standing proud on the western side.
Lord Shiva’s Drum: To the east, the rhythmic beats of the damaru resonate through time, symbolized by a captivating stone sculpture.
The Sacred Shami Tree: This revered tree, draped in spiritual significance, stands sentinel; its emerald leaves whisper ancient legends.
Further exploration unveils the next 25 feet, adorned with celestial grandeur:
Sun and Moon Dial: Gigantic granite pillars, Surya Pana and Chandrapana, rise majestically, cradling massive discs that capture the celestial dance of sun and moon.
Beacon of Illumination: Deepa-stamba, a beacon of light, guides the faithful.
Sacrificial Pedestal: On the Bali-peeta, offerings are made with unwavering devotion.
Flagpole and Nandi: Dwaja-stamba, the flagpole, proudly displays its vibrant banner, while Nandi, the sacred bull, patiently awaits his lord.
The temple contains five caves, three of which are designated as the Pradakshina Patha, or walking path around the sanctum sanctorum. Two caves are thought to be tunnels: one leads to the Shivaganga temple in Tumkur District, neighbouring Bengaluru, Karnataka; the other is thought to lead to Kashi, Varanasi, or Banaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Three Paths of Devotion:
Beyond the Mahamandapam, a trio of caves invites exploration. The Pradakshina Patha, a circular walking path, winds around the sanctum sanctorum, its walls adorned with stories carved in stone. These caves whisper tales of the divine:
Cave 1: Guardians of the sanctum, statues of Sages Gautama and Bhardwaj flank the entrance, followed by Sri Chandikeshwara, the fierce warrior goddess. Inside, Sri Umamaheshwara, the divine couple, presides, while Shakti Ganpati, the remover of obstacles, welcomes all at the threshold.
Cave 3 (A Secret Circle of Power): Cave 3 unveils a hidden corridor, weaving behind the sanctums of all three deities. Here, in the hushed embrace of stone, resides a celestial council. Agnideva, the two-headed, four-horned fire god, stands guard with his seven hands ablaze, protecting an assembly of eight fierce goddesses known as the Ashtamatrikas. Each embodiment of the divine feminine—Bramhi, Maheshwari, Koumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, Chamundi, Sri Devi, and Bhudevi—emits power and grace.
Whispers of ancient legends echo through the low-ceilinged passage, guiding footsteps as they navigate the darkness. A sense of reverence surrounds the celestial gathering, drawing devotees to venerate Agnideva, whose fiery wisdom is believed to heal eye ailments. Finally, emerging from the hidden path, one rejoins the light near the entrance of Cave 1, forever marked by the encounter with the temple’s secret guardians.
Shiva Linga illumination (by the Sun):
In most Shiva temples, the deity faces either the north, east, or west, whereas the deity here faces the south.
The Sanskrit terms “uttaram” (North) and “ayanam” (movement), which denote the Sun’s northward movement, are the sources of the term Uttarāyaṇa. It is the six-month period (roughly 20 December–20 June) that falls between the winter and summer solstices. It alludes to the sun’s passage through the zodiac in accordance with the Indian solar calendar. Dakshinayana, or the sun’s southward movement—the word “dakshina” translates to “south”—is the opposite of Uttarayana. It is the time of year that falls between the summer and winter solstices in the tropical zodiac and between Karka and Makara Sankranti in the sidereal zodiac.
On its celestial path, the sun moves from the sign of Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi) to Capricorn (Makara Rashi), and this transition signifies the start of the six-month uttarayna period. Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival observed in India.
The phenomenon and concept of Lingam illumination can be better understood by referring to the hand sketch and photos that are attached. The sun changes direction during the Dakshinayana to Uttarayana transition period. It passes through a designated opening on the compound wall, then through windows in the sanctum sanctorum hall and on the exterior wall of the temple. After that, it passes between the horns of the bull (Nandi) and finally lands fully on Shiva Linga for three minutes. A component of the design is this structural alignment. This divine event, which is televised live on local television networks, is witnessed by countless worshippers.
Festival Tapestry:
The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple throbs with the rhythm of devotion throughout the year. Witnessing the sun illuminate the Lingam on Sankranti is an unparalleled experience, attracting countless devotees. But this is just one act in a vibrant festival play.
Blossoming Celebrations: Bramhotsava (February), Maha Shivaratri (March), Navaratri (September-October), Karthika Somavara (October-November), and Dhanur Masa (December) each paint the temple with vibrant hues of flowers and flickering lamps (Deepam) crafted from clay, flour, and lemons. The air hums with chants, vendors offer blessings in the form of books, flowers, and pooja supplies, and the temple complex thrums with joyous activity.
Chariot of Divine Grace: Magha Poornima’s Bramhotsava sees the divine Utsava Murti embark on a majestic journey through the temple and surrounding streets, carried aloft on a chariot, blessing every corner with its celestial presence.
Urban Symphony:
The temple’s influence extends beyond the spiritual realm. The nearby Kempambudhi Lake, once a gathering place for villagers, fueled the growth of Gavipuram Village. Even as the lake receded, the temple’s legacy blossomed. Today, it stands as a beacon, inspiring surrounding communities to flourish with modern amenities like parks, hospitals, schools, and more. Though the lake’s embrace may be a memory, the temple’s presence continues to attract visitors of all ages, weaving a harmonious tapestry of history, faith, and modern vibrancy.
To conclude, the temple is one of the iconic landmarks of Bengaluru, visited by locals and outsiders. My visits to the temple revealed the immense faith of the deities in the Lord for overcoming their hardships and curative solutions for eye related problems. The temple plan was done by me exclusively for this article with three visits. Significant information in this article is based on interaction with the temple personnel and the gratitude of the devotees for the blessings showered by the Lord.
- Shastry, V. (2018). The Mysteries Behind Bengaluru Famed Gavi GangaDhareshwara Temple. LiveMint. Available at https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/X3uvXrojiRaPr31fhf6IQI/The-mysteries-of-Bengalurus-famed-Gavi-Gangadhareshwara-tem.html [Accessed on 15, January 2024]
- Rotti, J. (2013). Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bangalore. Karnataka.com. Retrieved from https://www.karnataka.com/bangalore/gavi-gangadhareshwara-temple/ [Accessed on 16 January 2024]
Image References:
- 8_DwajaSthambha [Photograph]_Sahu, P (2022).
- 9_Cave Temple [photograph] _Nath, A. (2022).
- 10_Cave 3 with Ashtamatrikas [Photograph]_ Varma, M. (2022).
- 12_Sunlight touching the Lingam [Photograph] _IANS (2018)
- 13_Brahmotsavam [Photograph] _ Madane. T (2021)
- 14_Karthika Deepam [Photograph] _ HK.S (2023)
- 15_Flower Vendor [Photograph] _Morwar, A (2023)
- 16_Selling of Books [Photograph] _Munaganapthi (2021)
