Uncover the hidden gems of Gavipuram

Gavipuram is one of the oldest localities of Bengaluru. Gavi means Cave and Puram means dwelling or locality. It is located between 2 of the oldest areas of Bengaluru – Chamarajapet and Basavanagudi. This area gets its name from the most famous Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple. Even though I have been in Bengaluru for a long time, never had a chance to visit this and explore its history. So thanks to BengaluruPrayana for arranging a heritage walk this weekend and helping me tick this place off from my Namma Bengaluru bucket list.

We were a group of 10 passionate walkers asked to meet at Kempambudhi Kere (Kere means lake) at 9 am in the morning. Our starting point of the walk was Kempambudhi Kere.

 

Kempambudhi Kere


This lake is a lifeline of old Bengaluru especially for the people of Chamarajapet and Basavanagudi. Kempe Gowda , the founder of Bangalore built this lake for his family deity Kempamma in the 16th century. 




Kempegowda also built a water supply network that connected the lake with nearby localities. The sluice gates at the lake were used to control the flow of water. We found two artistic pillars and underground tunnels but unfortunately there was lot of garbage dump here so we could clicks pictures from distance only.



 

Bande Mahakali Temple


This is situated right next to the Kempambudhi lake. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali dating back to more than 1200 years. Photography inside the temple is not allowed.

We could see some bangles, threads, lock and keys tied inside the temple premises. It is believed that she is the goddess who wards off evil/negative energy.





 

Kempegowda Tower


As most of you know that Kempegowda built 4 towers to mark the boundaries of Bengaluru. So western watch tower is located here. This was in my bucket list from a long time to complete my blog on 4 towers of Kempegowda. So I was glad that I could visit this.

 

This tower is located right next to Bande Mahakali Temple. You will need to take some steps to reach the tower.


 






 

Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple 


This is one of the oldest temple of Bengaluru dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a huge natural cave and you will find lot of deities around the main deity.  Shiva Linga is also carved out of a monolithic rock. The cave where the deity is present is said to have been built in the 9th century and the temple structure was later built by Kempegowda in the 16th century. Photography inside the temple is not allowed. There are 2 pillars in the temple’s forecourt– one representing damaru (two headed drum - music instrument of Shiva)and other one trishul.

An interesting fact about this temple is on Makara Sankranti day every year, sun ray passes through the horns of Nandi and falls directly on the Linga. Lakhs of devotees throng this place during this time to witness this phenomenon. People also believe that there is a tunnel which leads to Shivagange. But in fact it was the way to the nearby Kempambudhi lake which is now closed. It is also believed that there is another secret tunnel which leads to Kashi.








 

Harihara Gudda


Harihara Gudda (Gudda means hill) is a tiny hillock located close to Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple. The park is built into 2 levels and its really very well maintained. It contains some of the old strucutures of Kempegowda’s time. One of the notable structures on this hillock is the stone umbrella. Our guide Raksha told us that there is no documentation as to why and who built this. But one of the theories is that this could be a watch tower or Sudarshan Chakra (Lord Vishnu).






From Harihara Gudda we started walking back to Kempambudhi lake - starting point of our walk to hop onto our vehicles. Enroute we stopped by to see Sajjan Rao Samadhi

 

Sajjan Rao’s Samadhi 


Most of the Bengaulreans who throng VV Puram food street will be familiar with Sajjan Rao Circle. So Sajjan Rao was a philanthropist from Bengaluru known for charities, educational institutions, hospitals and hostels for the underprivileged.  His samadhi (grave) can be found here but again was disheartened to see it maintained in a sad state covered with dried leaves and dump on all sides.





While walking back I stopped by at Kempegowda circle to pay my respect to the founder of Bengaluru. And right opposite to the tower, you will see the other entrance of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple.






 

From here we then walked towards Kempambudhi lake and hopped onto our vehicles back home. Total walk duration was approximately around 2 hours. Thanks to Raksha from BengaluruPrayana for taking us along this wonderful heritage trail and helping us explore the hidden gems from one of the oldest towns of Namma Bengaluru. 

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