Astronomical Importance of Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, located near Bangalore in Karnataka, is a famous cave temple dedicated to Shiva and annually during Makar Sankranti, the sun's rays pass through a window and touch the Shivalinga murti worshipped in the temple. 

S.K. Aruni writes on the astronomical significance of the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in the Hindu 

This temple was formed by the natural boulders of hillocks and faces the south-west direction. The courtyard is wide and has large-sized monolithic sculptures placed in certain alignments. Shiva's symbols, the Trishula and the Damaru, are placed on the southern edge of the courtyard. 

There are two large circular discs placed parallel to each other known as Suryapana and Chandrapana, with a diameter of 2 m each. Since these are circular and face the east and west, they are identified as symbols of the sun and the moon. It is believed that such discs are not found in any other temple in Karnataka or south India. 

An original painting of the temple in 1792

Gavi Temple Current Pictures

According to scientists, the sun's rays pass through and reach the Sivalinga-pitha not only on Makar Sankranti (Pongal) but also on November 30 and December 1 every year. The scientists also identified the significance of the Suryapana and Chandrapana monolithic sculptures. According to their study, these were placed for astronomical observations in the medieval period. The shadow of the Dvajastamba falls on the eastern disc for 40 minutes. It is only recently that scholars discovered that the two discs have been installed in alignment to the summer solstice sunset and that explains the significance of the phenomenon on Makar Sankranti. A detailed study has been published in the Current Science Journal [vol. 95, No. 11, 2008].

Current Science Journal Article on Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
You can read the article about  Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple published in the Current Science Journal in December, 2008 here in pdf fomat - Astronomical Significance of Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. You will need to download it.

March 2012 - Important Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in March 2012

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in March 2012– based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India. The festivals, Vrats and auspicious days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

March 1, 2012 – Holashtak begins in North India

March 3 – Phagu Dasami in Orissa

March 4 – Ekadasi fasting – Amalaki

March 5 – Pradosh Vrat

March 7 – Purnima Vrat

March 7 – Holika Dahan

March 7 – Masi Magam in Tamil Nadu

March 7 – Attukal Pongala

March 8 – Holi play with colors

March 8 – Purnima

You will know who is a saint or thief as soon as he talks – Sant Kabirdas

Whoever has good character is the greatest of all. He is the mine of all jewels; the wealth of the three worlds is merged in good character.

Use your own strength, stop placing hope in others. When the river flows through your own backyard, how can you die of thirst?

Simply discard all thoughts of imaginary things and stand firm in that which you are.

You will know who is a saint or thief as soon as he talks. The character within comes out by the road of the mouth.

Related

Sant Kabir Das Quotes

Today’s Hindu Calendar – February 3, 2012 – Tithi, Vrat, Nakshatra, Rashi and Festival

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on February 3, 2012 – Shukla Paksha Ekadasi or the eleventh day during the waxing phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in all places. It is Shukla Paksha Dasami tithi till 1:29 AM on February 3, 2012. Then onwards it is Ekadasi tithi. Ekadasi ends at 2:41 AM on February 4. All time based on India Standard Time.

Nakshatra – Rohini Nakshatra till 9:24 AM on February 3, 2012. Then onwards it is Mrigasira or Makayiram Nakshatra

Rashi or Moon Sign – Vrishabha Rasi till 10:17 PM. Then onwards it is Mithuna Rasi.

Festivals, Vrat and Auspicious days – Ekadasi Fasting. Jaya Ekadasi – Bhishma Ekadashi

Magh Shukla Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month in calendars followed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa.

Magh Shukla Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the light phase of moon in Magh month in calendars followed in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.

20th day of Thai Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu.

20th day of Makara Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala.

19th day of Magh month in Bengali Calendar.

Immersion of Ashes of the Dead at Asthi Kund at Ramkund in Godavari River in Nashik

Immersion of the ashes of the dead after funeral rituals in the asthi kund adjacent to Ramkund in Godavari River at Nashik in Maharashtra is considered as one of the rituals that gives peace to the soul of the dead in Hinduism.

The holy Asthi Kund at Nashki is a small pond, 3X3 feet, adjacent to the Ramkund. It is believed that the Asthi Kund is more than 100 feet deep and has natural springs and the mortal remains that are immersed along with the ashes are dissolved here.

Ramkund is considered to be holy because Godavari River turns to the right in 90 degrees at this place. It is also believed that Sri Ram used to take bath at Ramkund during his exile.

Hindu tradition also states that a drop of nectar from the pot which was being carried by Garuda after the Gods had won it from the demons during Sagar Manthan (churning of the ocean) had fallen at Ramkund. This is another reason why the place is very sacred.

The tradition of immersing the ashes in the asthi kund, is being followed since ages. People from all over India and world come to Asthi Kunde for immersion of the ashes of their loved ones. 

Isha Foundation Presents Week Long Dance and Music Based on Mahabharata in February 2012

Isha Foundation of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is presenting a week long dance, performance and music with top artists from India based on the epic Mahabharata. The program will be held from February 11, 2012 to February 18, 2012 at Isha Yoga Center in Velliangiri foothills, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. The artists participating include Neyveli Santhagopalan, Channulal Mishra, L Subramaniam, Ravi Kiran, Shubha Mudgal and Amjad Ali Khan.

From the flyer

‘Mahabharat - Saga Nonpareil’ will be much more than just a program to attend or performances to witness. You are invited to become part of a truly breathtaking explosion of arts, culture, and beauty. A celebration of life’s exuberance and depth. An insightful exploration of an unparalleled saga,inimitably interpreted by Sadhguru.

You can find more details about the program and how toparticipate in it here at the official website.

Purmandal Mela and Festival in Jammu and Kashmir

Purmandal Temples are dedicated to Shiva and the annual mela and festival is held during Phalgun Krishna Paksha Trayodasi and Chaturdasi and coincides with the Shivratri. Purmandal Temple Mela 2012 date is February 20 and February 21. Also known as Choti Kashi, there are numerous temples dedicated to Shiva in this region including the famous ones at nearby Utterbani.

The area is famous for numerous temples dedicated to Shiva, the popular of them being Ranbireshwar Temple, Panjbhaktar Temple and Peer Khoh.

Purmandal Mela celebrates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. The fair attracts thousands of Shiva devotees.

The ancient temples of Purmandal are located on the banks of the Devak River. The temples were part of the Shaivaite tradition in Kashmir. Many Kashmiri Pandits from India and abroad make it to be a part of the mela.

Purmandal Temple is 40 km from Jammu.