Astronomical significance of the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bangalore

The passage of the setting sun through the cave of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple on 14 January is very well publicized. The recurrence of this event on yet another date is established from our observations supported by simple astronomical calculations. Observations extended to other seasons have show...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current science (Bangalore) 2008-12, Vol.95 (11), p.1632-1636
Main Authors: Vyasanakere, P. Jayanth, Sudeesh, K., Shylaja, B. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Astronomy
Caves
Declination
Floor plans
HISTORICAL NOTES
Solstice
Summer solstice
Sunlight
Windows
Winter solstice
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Summary:The passage of the setting sun through the cave of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple on 14 January is very well publicized. The recurrence of this event on yet another date is established from our observations supported by simple astronomical calculations. Observations extended to other seasons have shown that the two large discs in the courtyard are probably aligned to summer solstice. The shadow of the bronze pillar coincides with the vertical marking on the disc, a fact which has gone unnoticed all these years. Thus it is a unique temple where marking of both solstices are incorporated. A detailed inspection of an old painting of the temple dated 1792 shows that the passage of the sunlight into the cave also was probably intended for marking winter solstice. Subsequent constructions and renovations perhaps have modified it for 14 January (and 30 November). The summer solstice event is now totally forgotten.
ISSN:0011-3891