GAVI GANGADHARESHVARA TEMPLE - BANGALORE

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is situated in the locality of Gavipuram - Guttahalli in Bangalore. This temple is at a distance of just 3 km from the City.It was originally a small temple which was cut out of monolithic rock circa in the 9th century.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva The Deity in the main shrine is Shivalinga, in the front of the temple there is also Nandi sculpture.

The temple contains also a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire.There are other idols inside including the idol of Agnimurthi, which has two heads, seven hands and three legs. Those worshipping this deity believe it will cure one of all eye defects.This is one of few temples in Bangalore dedicated to Shiva and is visited by hundreds of devotees during Shivaratri.

Towards the left of main entry, there is a splendid image of Shakti Ganapathi, which has 12 hands. The most interesting and unique feature of this temple is there are two enormous rock-cut discs placed on the top of columns in the front yard of the temple. The first disc is called Surya Pana (Sun disc) and the other - Chandra Pana (Moon disc), both have identical size with the diameter of some 2m. Each of them rests on two smaller sculptures of Nandi bulls. Both discs have been produced in very high quality.There is no other temple in India with such discs. It is a puzzle also that the discs have crosshairs in each side. Discs are not aligned to cardinal positions of courtyard either - but their location seems to be occasional. Initial purpose of these discs is not remembered by the locals.There are other idols inside including the idol of Agnimurthi, which has two heads, seven hands and three legs and those worshipping this deity believe it will cure one of all eye defects.

Illumination of shrine by the Sun rays on Makara Sankranthi

A large number of devotees come here on January 14th or 15th every year on Makara sankranthi day to Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. It is a special occasion during the sunrays fall on the Shiva Linga for one hour the way it passes between the horns of Nandi. This is an example of knowledge of architecture as well as astronomy that the ancient sculptors could craft the horns of stone bull outside the temple therefore that the rays of sun may pass via its horns and light up the Shiva Linga inside the temple. This only one of its kind happening could be witnessed in Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple just for one hour i.e., between 17.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs on this specific day.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

Morning: 7 am to 12.30 pm and Evening: 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Time to Visit :

The best time to visit the temple is in January, during this month thousands of devotees come to the temple on Makar Sankranti Day.

How to reach :

Bangalore is very much well connected to all the cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Gurgoan, Hyderabad etc., in the country and even all parts of the world through airways , railways and roadways.

For local transport there are good facilities being arranged for the tourists who visit the temples here.