Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Swamy Temple is located at Gavipuram
Road in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva.
Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Swamy Temple - History - Story
Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Swamy Temple is believed to have been established in the Treta Yuga by sages Gautama and Bharadwaja. A special feature of the temple is that it is located within a natural cave (gavi) in the middle of Bengaluru city. In later times, the temple was renovated during the period of the renowned founder of Bengaluru, Sri Kempegowda.
Sri Harihareshwara Swamy Temple is a very old temple in the premises. On 6th June 1976, the Dhoṇḍasa family undertook its renovation.
The small idol of Sri Guddada Anjaneya swamy within the temple premises is about 200 years old. Later, during the construction of Vidhana Soudha by the then Honorable Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah, a larger temple was constructed and an 8-foot tall Anjaneya idol was installed.
Makar Sankranti
At the Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Swamy Temple, on the day of Makar Sankranti, a unique phenomenon occurs where the sun's rays directly touch the deity, marking a moment of divine significance as the sun transitions from the southern to the northern path (Dakshinayana to Uttarayana).
Festivals Rituals Offerings At Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Swamy Temple
Since the deity is facing south, and the goddess is located to the right side, performing Rudrabhishekam and offering Bilva leaves is believed to bestow all kinds of blessings. Lighting a lamp in front of the south-facing Shiva Linga on Mondays removes all difficulties. Performing the Girija Kalyana Utsava (divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati) during Pradosha time is believed to remove marriage-related issues quickly.
If one performs Kalasha Abhisheka during the early morning hours (Udayakala), along with worship of Ganesha, Navagrahas, Mrityunjaya, and Rudra Homa, one’s desires and wishes will be fulfilled.
Offering flowers and Bilva leaves in the temple is considered especially auspicious and done with reverence.
As sages and rishis have worshipped here in the past during the noon hours, it is believed that one gains complete knowledge and wisdom, and Pitru Dosha (ancestral curses) are also removed.
To Sri Guddada Anjaneyaswamy, offering a garland of betel leaves and lighting a lamp brings good results. Also, offering a vada (fried lentil snack) garland is believed to bring positive outcomes.
Major festivals celebrated at the temple include Sankranti, Shivaratri, Navaratri, Kartika Somavara, Brahma Rathotsava, monthly Pradosha Pujas, Sri Ramanavami, Shravana Saturdays, and Hanuma Jayanti, all of which are conducted with devotion and bring blessings to the devotees.