Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

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Late medieval · Hindu · India

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

ಗವಿ ಗಂಗಾಧರೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು

Bengaluru, Karnataka · 12.9482°, 77.5630°

Shiva as Gavi GangadhareshwaraKempe GowdaRock-cut
Sacred since
1500 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
16th c. (Kempe Gowda I)
Kempe Gowda

History & significance

A monolithic cave temple in Bengaluru substantially renovated in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda I after his release from five years' imprisonment by Rama Raya. Its forecourt carries four monolithic pillars representing the damaru, trishula and two great discs, and each Makar Sankranti the setting sun passes between the horns of the Nandi outside to light the linga within the cave.

Sthala katha — the legend

A tunnel inside the temple is said to lead all the way to Kashi.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Kempe Gowda