Gavi Gangadhareswara

Gavi Gangareshwara - Gavi Gangadeshwara

Useful Information

Location:	Gavipuram-Guttahalli, 3 km from , 56 km from Bangalore.
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Classification:	Cave Church
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Address:	Gavi Gangadhareswara.
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History

Description

Gavi Gangadhareswara (Gangadhareswara Cave) is is located in the Shivaganga Betta (Shivaganga Hill, 1,368 m asl). The hill is said to have four faces, resembling a Nandi from East, a Ganesha from the West, a Linga from the South, and a Cobra from the North. There are two different temples at the hill, Honnadevi Temple and Gavi Gangadhareswara. Both are reached after a steep climb on rock cut steps. Between the two temples at Patalganga exists natural spring called Pathala Ganga or Patalganga.

The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is also called Gangadeshwara, and Gavi means simply cave, hence the name. It consists of two halls carved out of the mountain. The Shiva lingam is tall and attractively carved. There is also a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire, probably the only of its kind in south India. to the left of the main entrance is an image of Shakti Ganapathi with 12 hands.

The temple attracts most devotees in January every year. The reason is an astronomic specialty. The light of the sun falls on the Sivalinga between 17 and 18 o'clock. This happens only once a year around Makar Sankranthi Day, when the sun has the right angle and falls through the two horns of the Nandi, the stone bull outside the temple.

This temple was originally built during the 9th century. It was renovated by Kempe Gowda.