Fwd: A temple or a school of astronomy?

[Guest guest]

, " prashanthnair999 "

<prashanthnair999 wrote:

 

The famous event of the suns rays bathing the Shivalinga at the Gavi

Gangadhareshwara temple takes place not just on January 14, but in the

course of this week too, according to B S Shylaja. When you visit this

famous temple, take a look at the two huge stone chakras; they mean

something hitherto unknown, she explains.

 

 

[http://www.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/UserFiles/Image/Nov242008/\

\

spec4.jpg] Several years ago I came across a book of paintings; running

through its pages was like turning the pages of history, pictorially.

The paintings were the creations of Daniell brothers, Thomas and

William, who visited India during 1790- 94. One painting caught my

attention. It was familiar. No other temple in India has such beautiful

large stone discs. Yes, that was the famous Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple

at the heart of Bangalore.

This temple had earlier tickled me for another reason. That is Surya

Majjana, the phenomenon of the sun's rays making their way through

the windows to shine on the Linga inside the cave. Why on a specific

date? This question had me thinking. That there has to be another day in

the year when this would happen again, bothered me constantly. My

calculations gave me the dates too. I had been making desperate attempts

to verify it for almost for six years.

 

Then it happened a couple of years ago. A couple of acquaintances waited

patiently every evening at the temple. The door would be open only if it

was a Monday; otherwise one had to look through the window. All three of

us managed to get a glimpse of the sunlight shining on the idol over a

five-day stretch from November 26 to December 2.

 

 

 

 

 

The fact that there is a second Surya Majjana was not known to many and

unfortunately was not received very enthusiastically. We tried in 2007

again and got the dates confirmed. So now it is for any one of you to

go to the temple and see the same Surya Majjana event that is slated for

January 14.

 

So, what is significance of these dates? It is a simple consequence of

the apparent movement of the sun in the north- south direction. As is

well known, there are four important dates in a yea. March 21 is the

vernal equinox, the onset of spring and new year celebrations are all

associated with it. Then, there's June 22, marking the end of

summer. The sun is in the northern-most position on this day, making it

the longest day. Then begins the southward journey; so the day is aptly

termed Dakshinayana. The day gets shorter thereafter. The duration of

the day is equal to that of the night on September 22 . This day is

called the autumnal equinox. The length of the day shrinks and reaches a

minimum on December 22. That is the southernmost limit the sun can

reach. His northward begins on this day called Uttarayana. Thus, except

June 22 and December 22, for any other day the position of the sun is

repeated on a second day. We had deduced the dates for the Surya

majjana event of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple on this premise.

 

Unlike most of the temples, this one does not face the east or even the

west. The orientation seemed intriguing and fixing the north-south

directions was very tricky. I searched for ground plans – none

existed.

 

I prepared my own plan. Then it occurred to me that the two huge discs

in front of the temple have a special significance. So my trips to the

temple extended to other dates in the year.

 

The discs are indeed special. Just as the entry to the cave marks the

direction of the sun close to winter solstice, these two discs indicate

the direction of the sun around summer solstice. By June 16, the shadow

of the western disc started appearing on the wall behind the eastern

disc. I sketched the scene and extrapolated the movement of the shadow

to sunset because the trees blocked the sunlight. My calculations showed

that if one can let unobstructed sunlight reach the discs, the shadow of

the western disc would fall on the eastern disc. This happens only on

June 22 and for a few days on either side of it.

We also noticed that the shadow of the brass Dhwajasthambha falls

exactly at the centre of the eastern disc about half an hour before

sunset. Therefore this appears to be a unique cave temple designed for

the purpose of marking solstices.

Historians have mentioned only the January 14-event probably either

because of the harvest festival associated with it or because the second

set of dates was simply not known to them. Or was there any other

reason?

This is where the painting of Daniell gave me the clue. The two discs

and the trident appear intact. The painting is dated 10 May, 1792.

However, a careful analysis reveals some differences. Most importantly,

there are no windows to let the sunlight for Surya Majjana. (There is a

second painting of Hunter dated 1806; it does not provide this view.)

The absence of Dhwajasthambha is very conspicuous. (The bronze cover is

dated 1979). So is the small Mantapa which houses a Nandi.

 

The gradual slope of the hillock is now converted into steps.

Furthermore, there are three arch-like structures which are missing now.

It appeared to me that in the last 200 years, some renovation has been

done. The three arch-like structures then were enclosed inside a larger

Mantapa. The two rows of pillars have a roof which is not part of the

hillock. Thus the temple got a complete facelift. The idea of sun's

rays falling on the idol was perhaps known to the renovators. They took

care to install windows so as to let the phenomenon continue. The terms

Uttarayana and Makara Sankranthi were considered synonymous. Therefore

the windows were aligned for Makara Sankranathi. Similarly the

Dhwajasthambha was matched for summer solstice (Karkataka Sankranthi)

and eventually forgotten.

 

The second painting of Daniell provides the view of the surroundings.

Two hundred years ago, the region was barren offering a clear view of

the horizon. The place between temple and the gopura was perhaps a water

drain. In the event of visibility of the horizon the discs serve a dual

purpose, they mark the sunrise of winter solstice and sunset of summer

solstice.

 

Does that mean people who used this cave were dedicated astronomers?

Daniell in his footnote mentions that this was a deserted temple. Was

it? Or was the purpose beyond the comprehension of Daniell? Historians

may have the answers. Who knows, this temple could have been a school of

astronomy?

(The author is with BASE, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore.

Website: taralaya.org)

 

 

 

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.asp

<http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.as\

\

p>

 

--- End forwarded message ---

[Guest guest]

--- On Thu, 11/27/08, hari <chandra_hari18 wrote:

hari <chandra_hari18Re: Fwd: A temple or a school of astronomy?"sreenadh" <sreesogCc: prashanthnair999Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008, 5:19 AM

 

 

 

 

 

Dear friends,

 

It is interesting. I hope you people must have seen my paper on Udayagiri which appeared in Current Science in July. I think 10 July or so. I have seen the study quoted on Gavi Gangadharesvara, but it is simply beating around the bush. No precise angles of the temples relative to any reference such as North is not there in the so called research. Simply, the author says that on 14 January the light falls on the idol. It is possible. How and when the temple was designed and what exactly their rationale etc a lot more precise studies are required. Sincere studies and the works drafted simply for popularity must be differentiated.

 

For any study, first thing we need is a mapping of the orientation of the different structures with reference to north so that we may have the directional angle (Azimuth) which can be contrasted with the sun as it moves north and south. Once we have the orientation mapped it is easy to compute the days and times when the sun rays will fall through the window and the discs.

 

More important is our orientation to Sun. See the attache document and please forward to your friends so that someone takes up a testing of the idea. Jyotisha cannot be a cow of the books which cannot eat grass. Jyotihsastra must have a life enriching secret and we must look for that. Otherwise what is the meaning of some temple or some other burial ground orientation?

 

chandra hari

Aum Namah Sivaya--- On Wed, 11/26/08, sreenadh <sreesog wrote:

sreenadh <sreesogFwd: A temple or a school of astronomy?"Chandra Hari" <chandra_hari18, "Chandra Hari" <chandrahari81Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 11:56 PM

 

 

 

 

--- On Wed, 11/26/08, prashanthnair999 <prashanthnair999 wrote:

prashanthnair999 <prashanthnair999 Fwd: A temple or a school of astronomy? Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 12:32 PM , "prashanthnair999"

<prashanthnair999 wrote:

The famous event of the suns rays bathing the Shivalinga at the Gavi

Gangadhareshwara temple takes place not just on January 14, but in the

course of this week too, according to B S Shylaja. When you visit this

famous temple, take a look at the two huge stone chakras; they mean

something hitherto unknown, she explains.

[http://www.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/UserFiles/Image/Nov242008/\

\

spec4.jpg] Several years ago I came across a book of paintings; running

through its pages was like turning the pages of history, pictorially.

The paintings were the creations of Daniell brothers, Thomas and

William, who visited India during 1790- 94. One painting caught my

attention. It was familiar. No other temple in India has such beautiful

large stone discs. Yes, that was the famous Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple

at the heart of Bangalore.

This temple had earlier tickled me for another reason. That is Surya

Majjana, the phenomenon of the sun's rays making their way through

the windows to shine on the Linga inside the cave. Why on a specific

date? This question had me thinking. That there has to be another day in

the year when this would happen again, bothered me constantly. My

calculations gave me the dates too. I had been making desperate attempts

to verify it for almost for six years.

Then it happened a couple of years ago. A couple of acquaintances waited

patiently every evening at the temple. The door would be open only if it

was a Monday; otherwise one had to look through the window. All three of

us managed to get a glimpse of the sunlight shining on the idol over a

five-day stretch from November 26 to December 2.

The fact that there is a second Surya Majjana was not known to many and

unfortunately was not received very enthusiastically. We tried in 2007

again and got the dates confirmed. So now it is for any one of you to

go to the temple and see the same Surya Majjana event that is slated for

January 14.

So, what is significance of these dates? It is a simple consequence of

the apparent movement of the sun in the north- south direction. As is

well known, there are four important dates in a yea. March 21 is the

vernal equinox, the onset of spring and new year celebrations are all

associated with it. Then, there's June 22, marking the end of

summer. The sun is in the northern-most position on this day, making it

the longest day. Then begins the southward journey; so the day is aptly

termed Dakshinayana. The day gets shorter thereafter. The duration of

the day is equal to that of the night on September 22 . This day is

called the autumnal equinox. The length of the day shrinks and reaches a

minimum on December 22. That is the southernmost limit the sun can

reach. His northward begins on this day called Uttarayana. Thus, except

June 22 and December 22, for any other day the position of the sun is

repeated on a second day. We had deduced the dates for the Surya

majjana event of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple on this premise.

Unlike most of the temples, this one does not face the east or even the

west. The orientation seemed intriguing and fixing the north-south

directions was very tricky. I searched for ground plans – none

existed.

I prepared my own plan. Then it occurred to me that the two huge discs

in front of the temple have a special significance. So my trips to the

temple extended to other dates in the year.

The discs are indeed special. Just as the entry to the cave marks the

direction of the sun close to winter solstice, these two discs indicate

the direction of the sun around summer solstice. By June 16, the shadow

of the western disc started appearing on the wall behind the eastern

disc. I sketched the scene and extrapolated the movement of the shadow

to sunset because the trees blocked the sunlight. My calculations showed

that if one can let unobstructed sunlight reach the discs, the shadow of

the western disc would fall on the eastern disc. This happens only on

June 22 and for a few days on either side of it.

We also noticed that the shadow of the brass Dhwajasthambha falls

exactly at the centre of the eastern disc about half an hour before

sunset. Therefore this appears to be a unique cave temple designed for

the purpose of marking solstices.

Historians have mentioned only the January 14-event probably either

because of the harvest festival associated with it or because the second

set of dates was simply not known to them. Or was there any other

reason?

This is where the painting of Daniell gave me the clue. The two discs

and the trident appear intact. The painting is dated 10 May, 1792.

However, a careful analysis reveals some differences. Most importantly,

there are no windows to let the sunlight for Surya Majjana. (There is a

second painting of Hunter dated 1806; it does not provide this view.)

The absence of Dhwajasthambha is very conspicuous. (The bronze cover is

dated 1979). So is the small Mantapa which houses a Nandi.

The gradual slope of the hillock is now converted into steps.

Furthermore, there are three arch-like structures which are missing now.

It appeared to me that in the last 200 years, some renovation has been

done. The three arch-like structures then were enclosed inside a larger

Mantapa. The two rows of pillars have a roof which is not part of the

hillock. Thus the temple got a complete facelift. The idea of sun's

rays falling on the idol was perhaps known to the renovators. They took

care to install windows so as to let the phenomenon continue. The terms

Uttarayana and Makara Sankranthi were considered synonymous. Therefore

the windows were aligned for Makara Sankranathi. Similarly the

Dhwajasthambha was matched for summer solstice (Karkataka Sankranthi)

and eventually forgotten.

The second painting of Daniell provides the view of the surroundings.

Two hundred years ago, the region was barren offering a clear view of

the horizon. The place between temple and the gopura was perhaps a water

drain. In the event of visibility of the horizon the discs serve a dual

purpose, they mark the sunrise of winter solstice and sunset of summer

solstice.

Does that mean people who used this cave were dedicated astronomers?

Daniell in his footnote mentions that this was a deserted temple. Was

it? Or was the purpose beyond the comprehension of Daniell? Historians

may have the answers. Who knows, this temple could have been a school of

astronomy?

(The author is with BASE, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore.

Website: taralaya.org)

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.asp

<http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.as\

\

p>

--- End forwarded message ---

---

 

[Guest guest]

--- On Thu, 11/27/08, hari <chandra_hari18 wrote:

hari <chandra_hari18Re: Fwd: A temple or a school of astronomy?"sreenadh" <sreesogCc: prashanthnair999Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008, 10:49 AM

 

 

 

 

 

Dear friends,

 

It is interesting. I hope you people must have seen my paper on Udayagiri which appeared in Current Science in July. I think 10 July or so. I have seen the study quoted on Gavi Gangadharesvara, but it is simply beating around the bush. No precise angles of the temples relative to any reference such as North is not there in the so called research. Simply, the author says that on 14 January the light falls on the idol. It is possible. How and when the temple was designed and what exactly their rationale etc a lot more precise studies are required. Sincere studies and the works drafted simply for popularity must be differentiated.

 

For any study, first thing we need is a mapping of the orientation of the different structures with reference to north so that we may have the directional angle (Azimuth) which can be contrasted with the sun as it moves north and south. Once we have the orientation mapped it is easy to compute the days and times when the sun rays will fall through the window and the discs.

 

More important is our orientation to Sun -Correlation of Sun and Breathing. Jyotisha cannot be a cow of the books which cannot eat grass. Jyotihsastra must have a life enriching secret and we must look for that. Otherwise what is the meaning of some temple or some other burial ground orientation?

 

chandra hari

Aum Namah Sivaya--- On Wed, 11/26/08, sreenadh <sreesog wrote:

sreenadh <sreesogFwd: A temple or a school of astronomy?"Chandra Hari" <chandra_hari18, "Chandra Hari" <chandrahari81Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 11:56 PM

 

 

 

 

--- On Wed, 11/26/08, prashanthnair999 <prashanthnair999 wrote:

prashanthnair999 <prashanthnair999 Fwd: A temple or a school of astronomy? Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 12:32 PM , "prashanthnair999"

<prashanthnair999 wrote:

The famous event of the suns rays bathing the Shivalinga at the Gavi

Gangadhareshwara temple takes place not just on January 14, but in the

course of this week too, according to B S Shylaja. When you visit this

famous temple, take a look at the two huge stone chakras; they mean

something hitherto unknown, she explains.

[http://www.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/UserFiles/Image/Nov242008/\

\

spec4.jpg] Several years ago I came across a book of paintings; running

through its pages was like turning the pages of history, pictorially.

The paintings were the creations of Daniell brothers, Thomas and

William, who visited India during 1790- 94. One painting caught my

attention. It was familiar. No other temple in India has such beautiful

large stone discs. Yes, that was the famous Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple

at the heart of Bangalore.

This temple had earlier tickled me for another reason. That is Surya

Majjana, the phenomenon of the sun's rays making their way through

the windows to shine on the Linga inside the cave. Why on a specific

date? This question had me thinking. That there has to be another day in

the year when this would happen again, bothered me constantly. My

calculations gave me the dates too. I had been making desperate attempts

to verify it for almost for six years.

Then it happened a couple of years ago. A couple of acquaintances waited

patiently every evening at the temple. The door would be open only if it

was a Monday; otherwise one had to look through the window. All three of

us managed to get a glimpse of the sunlight shining on the idol over a

five-day stretch from November 26 to December 2.

The fact that there is a second Surya Majjana was not known to many and

unfortunately was not received very enthusiastically. We tried in 2007

again and got the dates confirmed. So now it is for any one of you to

go to the temple and see the same Surya Majjana event that is slated for

January 14.

So, what is significance of these dates? It is a simple consequence of

the apparent movement of the sun in the north- south direction. As is

well known, there are four important dates in a yea. March 21 is the

vernal equinox, the onset of spring and new year celebrations are all

associated with it. Then, there's June 22, marking the end of

summer. The sun is in the northern-most position on this day, making it

the longest day. Then begins the southward journey; so the day is aptly

termed Dakshinayana. The day gets shorter thereafter. The duration of

the day is equal to that of the night on September 22 . This day is

called the autumnal equinox. The length of the day shrinks and reaches a

minimum on December 22. That is the southernmost limit the sun can

reach. His northward begins on this day called Uttarayana. Thus, except

June 22 and December 22, for any other day the position of the sun is

repeated on a second day. We had deduced the dates for the Surya

majjana event of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple on this premise.

Unlike most of the temples, this one does not face the east or even the

west. The orientation seemed intriguing and fixing the north-south

directions was very tricky. I searched for ground plans – none

existed.

I prepared my own plan. Then it occurred to me that the two huge discs

in front of the temple have a special significance. So my trips to the

temple extended to other dates in the year.

The discs are indeed special. Just as the entry to the cave marks the

direction of the sun close to winter solstice, these two discs indicate

the direction of the sun around summer solstice. By June 16, the shadow

of the western disc started appearing on the wall behind the eastern

disc. I sketched the scene and extrapolated the movement of the shadow

to sunset because the trees blocked the sunlight. My calculations showed

that if one can let unobstructed sunlight reach the discs, the shadow of

the western disc would fall on the eastern disc. This happens only on

June 22 and for a few days on either side of it.

We also noticed that the shadow of the brass Dhwajasthambha falls

exactly at the centre of the eastern disc about half an hour before

sunset. Therefore this appears to be a unique cave temple designed for

the purpose of marking solstices.

Historians have mentioned only the January 14-event probably either

because of the harvest festival associated with it or because the second

set of dates was simply not known to them. Or was there any other

reason?

This is where the painting of Daniell gave me the clue. The two discs

and the trident appear intact. The painting is dated 10 May, 1792.

However, a careful analysis reveals some differences. Most importantly,

there are no windows to let the sunlight for Surya Majjana. (There is a

second painting of Hunter dated 1806; it does not provide this view.)

The absence of Dhwajasthambha is very conspicuous. (The bronze cover is

dated 1979). So is the small Mantapa which houses a Nandi.

The gradual slope of the hillock is now converted into steps.

Furthermore, there are three arch-like structures which are missing now.

It appeared to me that in the last 200 years, some renovation has been

done. The three arch-like structures then were enclosed inside a larger

Mantapa. The two rows of pillars have a roof which is not part of the

hillock. Thus the temple got a complete facelift. The idea of sun's

rays falling on the idol was perhaps known to the renovators. They took

care to install windows so as to let the phenomenon continue. The terms

Uttarayana and Makara Sankranthi were considered synonymous. Therefore

the windows were aligned for Makara Sankranathi. Similarly the

Dhwajasthambha was matched for summer solstice (Karkataka Sankranthi)

and eventually forgotten.

The second painting of Daniell provides the view of the surroundings.

Two hundred years ago, the region was barren offering a clear view of

the horizon. The place between temple and the gopura was perhaps a water

drain. In the event of visibility of the horizon the discs serve a dual

purpose, they mark the sunrise of winter solstice and sunset of summer

solstice.

Does that mean people who used this cave were dedicated astronomers?

Daniell in his footnote mentions that this was a deserted temple. Was

it? Or was the purpose beyond the comprehension of Daniell? Historians

may have the answers. Who knows, this temple could have been a school of

astronomy?

(The author is with BASE, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore.

Website: taralaya.org)

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.asp

<http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov252008/spectrum20081124102541.as\

\

p>

--- End forwarded message ---