The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is an exemplary piece of Indian rock- cut architecture. Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple was built in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is an exquisite piece of architecture and attracts devotees from all the country. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore and was built by Kempe Gowda in reverence after being released from his five years imprisonment by Rama Raya.The temple is carved out of a monolithic stone and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is built inside a natural cave in Gavipuram.
The temple is a crowd puller mainly because of the two granite pillars which supports the huge discs representing the sun and moon, while the other two pillars have a figure of Nandi at top. The temple has a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, one can view a unique scintillating phenomena. In the evening, when the sun`s rays passes through an arch between the horns of Nandi and falls directly on the linga inside the cave, it lights up the idol inside. The technical versatality combined with the knowledge of astronomy of the ancient architects is manifested in this historical architecture. This is one of the few temples in Bangalore dedicated to Lord Shiva and therefore thousands of devotees throng the temple during Shivaratri.
