Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud

The Nanjundeshwara Temple (also called Srikanteshwara Temple) is an ancient temple dedicated to Shiva in the Hindu pilgrimage town of Nanjanagudu in Karnataka, India.It is located on the right bank of river Kapila, a tributary of the Kaveri. Nanjangudu is also known as "Dakshina Prayaga" or "Prayag of South".

Nanju in Kannada means poison; the name Nanjundeshwara means the "God who Drank the Poison" (halahala), a word that has its origins in the legend of the Great Churning of the Ocean of Milk; thus the town got the name 'Nanjangudu' which means "the abode of the god Nanjundeshwara".

The "Dodda Jaathre" festival at Nanjangud by the temple attracts thousands of devotees. The festivities in the fair include five colorful chariots that are pulled by devotees on a path called the ''ratha beedi''. Parasurama temple is near Nanjundeshwara temple.

The 9 storied, 120 feet tall temple Gopuram and its extensive exterior was built by Devarajammanni, the queen of the Mysore king Krishnaraja Wadiyar III.

History

Nanjungud is mentioned as Sri Garalapuri, in the Shiva Purana. It is said that the legendary holy place is the abode of Shiva in southern India. It is also referred to as Dakshina Kasi where the god had appeared at the plea of his devotees, the Devas, and sage Narada.
The demon Keshi, obtained a boon from Brahma and Vishnu by virtue of which they would not be able to kill him. He assumed that with this boon he was as good as immortal, and began troubling the people, the Devas, and the sages. At last, Narada along with the Devas pleaded with Shiva to save everyone. He appeared in Garalapuri Sri Kshetra, (present Nanjungud) and killed the demon Keshi. He further assured that his ''Ansh'' - a part of his divine self would always remain here and bless humanity. The place henceforth would be a ''papa vinashini'' – remover of sins. Every human praying to Lord Srikanteshwara or Nanjundeshwara (Shiva) of Nanjungud, after bathing in the holy river of Kabini, would be rid of sins and blessed by the god.

Sage Parashuram, after beheading his mother as per his father Sage Yamadagni's orders, wanted to undo his sins from "Matr Hatya" - his mother's murder. As per the advice of Narada, he reached Garalapuri (Nangangud) and prayed to Sri Nanjundeshwara Swamy. Shiva appeared and advised him to build a Mandap and perform pooja to the shivling. While clearing the shrubs with his Parashu – axe, unconsciously Parashuram's axe hit the Shivling and the tip of the Shivling began bleeding. Sage Parashuram felt very guilty and said, "I have committed another unforgivable sin, only by killing myself I shall be relieved from all my sins", and prepared to kill himself. Shiva appeared and blessed sage Parashuram and told him to apply wet mud upon the Shivling (the mud of Sri Nanjangud has immense healing powers). The Shivling stopped bleeding. Shiva advised Parashuram to build the mandap and continue his penance. Finally, Parashuram was relieved from all his sins, and blessed with immortality.
Goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva wanted to visit this holy place. He brought her to Garalapuri Nangangud. Devi went to the Kabini river and bent down to touch the water. A gemstone bead – Mani fell off from her crown into the water. Lord Shiva was pleased and declared, "Devi, until now, the place had my divine blessings and presence, from this moment it shall have your presence, grace and blessings too. It shall also be called Dakshina Manikarnika Ghat".

During the reign of King Tipu Sultan, his royal elephant became blind. As per the advice of his minister, Sri Poorniya, Tipu sent the elephant to the Nanjundeshwara Swamy temple and performed 48 days of rituals. On the 48th day, the elephant's vision was restored. Tipu Sultan offered the emerald green Shivling as a token of gratitude to Sri Nanjundeshwara Swamy and called Lord Shiva, "Hakim Nanjunda" (healer).

Gallery

File:View of gopura from inside the Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, View of gopura from inside the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Large pillared mantapa with sala towers in the Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, Large pillared mantapa with sala towers in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangud
File:Open mantapa with sala roofs in the Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, Open mantapa with sala roofs in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangud
File:Yali pillars in the mahadwara (entrance) of Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, Yali pillars in the mahadwara in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangud
File:Pillared entrance into the Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.jpg, Pillared entrance in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangud
File:Kannada inscription (1517 AD) in the Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud.JPG, Kannada inscription (1517 AD) of King Krishnadevaraya's father-in-law in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 6.JPG, Deity sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Ganesha relief sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud.JPG, Ganesha sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 7.JPG, Deity sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 4.JPG, Shree Veerabhadreshwara sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 5.JPG, Deity sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 2.JPG, Deity sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 3.JPG, Deity sculpture in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Decorative pillars near the sanctum of Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud.JPG, Decorative pillars in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Close up view of pillars at the entrance to Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, Close up view of pillars at the entrance in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu
File:Close up view of sala tower over mantapa in Srikanteshwara temple complex at Nanjangud.JPG, Close up view of sala tower over mantapa in the Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjangudu

See also

*Samudra manthan

References

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Shiva temples in Karnataka
Hindu temples in Mysore district