Article:
The astronomical wonder
By S.K.Aruni
The Hindu - February 1, 2012

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

It is generally believed that the Jantar Mantar in Delhi is the only good example of an astronomical observatory constructed by medieval rulers in India. But a similar structure, Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, which is believed to have been constructed by Kempe Gowda, is also a fitting example. The Gavi Gangadhareshwara is famous for its cave temple, especially during Makar Sankranti, when the sun's rays pass through the window and touch the Shivalinga. Both scientists and scholars are engaged in a study to observe its architectural importance and astronomical significance.

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.

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The astronomical significance pf the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bangalore.
By Jayanth Vyasanakere, K.Sudeesh and B.S.Shyalaja of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore.

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Image:
Plate nineteen in 'Picturesque Scenery in the Kingdom of Mysore' by James Hunter. This aquatint is based on a picture by Hunter, and contrary to its assigned title as 'Moorish Mosque', it represents a Hindu temple. The Gangadhareshvara Temple at Bangalore was also the subject of an aquatint by Thomas and William Daniell in the fifth voume of their Oriental Scenery series [X432/5(18)].

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