Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, is located in Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in India.

Temple

The ancient temple was cut out of the rock probably in the 9th century. It is a natural monolith rock formation with the cave temple carved out of it. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has four monolithic pillars and 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. [cite web
url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar292004/metro11.asp
title=Temple inside an age-old cave
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-13 ]

Thousands of devotees come in January every year on Makar sankranti Day to this cave temple. This is a special day when the sunrays fall on the Sivalinga for one hour as it passes between the horns of the Nandi. Such was the knowledge of architecture and astronomy that the ancient sculptors could craft the horns of the stone bull outside the temple so that the sun's rays would pass through its horns and light up the deity Shiva Linga inside the cave. [cite web
url=http://www.tourtravelworld.com/hot_spots/bangalore/gavi_gangadhareshwara_temple/
title=About Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-13 ]

This is one of few temples in Bangalore dedicated to Shiva and is visited by hundreds of devotees during Shivaratri. [cite web
url=http://www.templenet.com/Karnataka/gavigang.html
title=Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple at Bangalore(Karnataka)
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-13 ]

Protected temple

The temple shrine is a protected monument under the "Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961". [cite web
url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar292004/metro11.asp
title=Temple inside an age-old cave
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-13 ]

Notes

ee also

* Bhaja Caves
* Varaha Cave Temple
* Undavalli caves
* Badami Cave Temples
* Nellitheertha Cave Temple
* Pandavleni Caves
* Karla Caves
* Elephanta Caves
* Indian rock-cut architecture
* Hulimavu cave temple

External links

* [http://www.tourtravelworld.com/hot_spots/bangalore/gavi_gangadhareshwara_temple/ Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple - Bangalore]
* [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar292004/metro11.asp Temple inside an age-old cave Dead link|date=June 2008]