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For centuries, the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple has fascinated
researchers and drawn hordes of devotees.
Science and religion are formidable adversaries, perpetually at
war. But at the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple near Chamarajpet, the
two combine to produce a spectacular effect that has both scientists
and devotees fascinated. For centuries, this temple, which is hewn
out of rock and dedicated to Lord Shiva, has drawn massive crowds
on Makara Sankranthi day. The majority throng to watch what they
believe is a divine event, but the phenomenon has also turned the
temple into a laboratory for astronomers.
On S ankranthi day (January 14 or 15 depending on the Hindu calendar),
the rays of the setting sun pass through the horns of the idol of
a Nandi (bull) in the courtyard and illuminate the Shiva Lingam,
the main deity deep inside a cave. The event is so popular that
it is usually telecast live on television.
The temple is believed to have been sculpted in the ninth century
and later renovated by Kempe Gowda, the founder of the city. For
years, the temple has generated plenty of curiosity among the scientific
community. The two large stone discs in the front yard - called
Surya Pana and Chandra Pana - are a unique feature. The discs are
identical in size and the engravings on either side of the disc
resemble crosshairs of a telescope. No one quite knows the origin
or the purpose of the discs. Moreover, they are only found in this
temple.
P Jayanth Vyasanakere, K Sudheesh and B S Shylaja, who have done
extensive research on the temple, reveal that the light from the
setting sun floods the south-western part of the temple, passes
through an arch and a couple of windows placed perpendicular to
each other and then through the horns of the Nandi. It illuminates
the idol kept deep inside the cave for about 15 minutes (between
4.55 pm and 5.15 pm).
 Another unique feature of the temple is that it was built to mark
both solstices, which are important events in the Hindu calendar.
Between 2005 and 2008, these scientists closely observed the shadow
cast by the sun's rays and have also studied the design of the building.
From two paintings made by British artists William and Thomas Daniell,
the trio conclude that the phenomenon was brought about by renovations
made to the temple around 200 years ago. A detailed inspection of
the paintings shows that the passage of the sunlight into the cave
was probably intended to mark the winter solstice.
Subsequent constructions and renovations have perhaps altered the
effect so that it coincides with January 14. They conclude that
the two large discs in the courtyard are aligned to the summer solstice.
The shadow of a recently erected bronze pillar coincides with the
vertical marking of the disc, a fact which had gone unnoticed for
years.
The temple is hewn out of rock. The main deity, the Shiva Lingam,
is placed deep inside a cave and is illuminated by the rays of the
sun on Makara Sankranthi .
 You Must Know !
This temple houses aunique idol of Agni, probably the only one of
its kind in south India.
There is also a splendid image of Shakti Ganapati with 12 hands.
Four monolith pillars in the courtyard represent Damaru, Trishula
and two discs.
Source: BangaloreMirror
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