GANGADARESHWARA (Sri Gavi)
12.983300,77.566700
Description
An at least triple storeyed »cave temple« or »underground temple« (WARD 1991, 1992: 127). SITUATION: In Bangalore city (N12°59': E77°35') some 5 or 6 km south of the City Train Station, south of Kempegowdanagar, and near the Bull Temple (Nandi kovil?) on Bugle Hill at the end of Bull temple Rd. (LONELY PLANET 1993: 855; 1997: 922). CULTURAL HISTORY: »At the top of the hill a massive garlanded black and shiny Nandi bulged in its own shrine … Much more fascinating was the underground Sri Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple where, every 14 January [note 1], they said, a ray of light passes between the horns of a Nandi outside the temple and lights the idol inside. … I explored three levels of excavation in the cave, finding a black stone Hanuman decked in red and sporting a bathroom towel« (WARD 1991, 1992: 127).
NOTE 1: On »14 January« (WARD (1991, 1992: 127), in a leap year on 15th January, the beginning of the sun's northward journey (winter solstice) at the astronomical peak of winter, the sun swings back from a descent to the tropic of cancer in the southern hemisphere during the Dakshinayana period and commences ascending (sankranti = entry) to the tropic of capricorn (makar = capricorn) in the northern hemisphere (Makar Rashi) for the Uttarayana period. In India, this time coincides with one of the harvest seasons. The day is called by various names in different regions, such as Uttara Punyakala (approximately: peak of darkness), Sankranthi or , Makara Sankraman and Pongal. The festival of Makar Sankranti / makara sankranti, Makara Sanranthi or Til Sankrant, Sankranti and Makara Sankraman or Pongal (rice boiled in milk) in South India and Lohri in North India.
Documents
Bibliography 28/03/2016- Ward, Phillip 1991, 1992.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 | RAJAJESHWARI GUHA | ||
| 3.6 | Ulsoor Caves (Sri Gavi) | ||
| 7.5 | JALA (Cave at) | ||
| 7.5 | RAMAGIRI CAVITIES | ||
| 7.5 | ACHALU BETTA CAVE | ||
| 23.3 | Malikarjuna Cave-Tempe | ||
| 23.3 | VIRABADHRA CAVE-TEMPLE | ||
| 31.2 | SAVANADURGA BAT CAVE | ||
| 36.2 | Mile 26 Cave |