NANJUNGUD

Nanjangud is a town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a temple town and is on the banks of the river Kapila (a.k.a Kabini). It is at a distance of 23 km from the city of Mysore. Nanjangud is also called as "Dakshina Kashi" (southern Kashi).




Nanjangud -

Nanjangud is located at 12.12° N 76.68° E. It has an average elevation of 657 metres (2155 feet).Nanjangud Taluk borders Mysore taluk of Mysore district to the north, T Narsipur taluk of Mysore district to the east, H D Kote taluk of Mysore district to the west and Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluks of Chamarajanagar district to the south.

Nanjangud - History

The main temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, whose another name is Nanjundeshwara. Nanjundeshwara means the God who drank poison. Hindu mythology quotes an interesting legend in which the Gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the nectar of immortality. During this churning, there were lots of artefacts that emanated out of the ocean, including poison. To prevent the poison from spreading across the universe and destroying it, Shiva came to the rescue and drank the poison. His wife Parvati then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body. Nanjanagud literally means the place where Nanjundeshwara resides.

Nanjangud has been a major Shaiva centre since times immemorial. The original Nanjundeshwara temple is said to be of Ganga period (325 - 1000 CE). This temple has then been renovated by the Hoysala kings. Both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan had close associations with this temple. Wodeyar kings have provided various grants to renovate the temple.





As of 2001 India census,Nanjangud had a population of 48,220. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Nanjangud has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 63%. In Nanjangud, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.






Nanjundeshwara temple

The town is famous because of the huge temple dedicated to Lord Nanjundeswara also referred to as Srikanteswara. It is believed that sage Gauthama stayed here for some time and installed a Lingam, the idol form of Shiva. Nanjangud is also known as 'Dakshina Kashi' or Varanasi of the South.



The temple was originally built by the Ganga rulers in the 9th century during their occupation of this region. The residing deity of the temple was later called Hakim Nanjundeswara; a title given by the Great Tippu Sultan who had faith in the God.
It is said and inscribed in the temple history that his favourite and beloved elephant was bestowed with eyesight by the Lord, after Tippu Sultan's vow with the local deity. The Sultan then had a Lingam made of jade along with an emerald necklace and donated it to the temple. The Vaidya Nanjundeswara, even today is said to be a healer for his believers, and one can see even today worshippers doing Urulu seve, a ritualistic practice after taking bath in the Kapila river.

There are many cells with Lingas enshrined in them. There are 122 images in the vast prakara or enclosure. There is a vast pillared mantapa inside. The temple has many bronzes Uthsava (procession) idols and a good number of vahanas (carriages) used on different festivals.

The nine-storied tall Gopura or tower is ascribed to the queen of the Mysore kings, Devarajammanni, wife of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1849). The tower, nearly 120 feet in height has fine stucco images and decorations and gold-gilded kalashas atop, seven in number, each about three meters in height, flanked by two horns, a common architectural style of Dravidian construction.


Twice every year thousands of worshippers gather for the famous Chariot Festival locally known as the Dodda Jathre and the Chikka Jathre. Idols of Lord Srikanteshwara, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subramanya and Lord Chandikeshwara are kept in five separate chariots and a traditional puja is performed to the idols early in the morning on the Jathre day. After the puja chariots are flagged off. Thousands of devotees pull the Chariots carved out of wood, across the streets of the old town. The town remains immersed in festivities on the Jathre days.


Other attractions at Nanjangud

Sri Raghavendra Swamigala Mutt: Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt which is called as Preteeka Sanidhi is situated on the road to the right of the Nanjundeswara temple. The uniqueness of this Mutt is one can find an idol of Sri Raghavendra Swamy instead of the usual Brindavana.It was founded by the close of 15th century and great gurus or heads like Sudheendra Thirtha and RaghavendraThirtha headed this institution. It has a fine collection of Sanskrit manuscripts and copper plates

Parashurama Kshetra is the place where the Kapila and Kaundinya rivers meet (sangam). It is believed that sage Parashurama have cleansed himself from the sin of beheading his mother in this place.There is a Parashurama temple of the Mysore style, now renovated fully and in the sanctum Lord Parashurama is worshipped. This quiet place has shrines of Maruthi and a newly built Basaveshvara temple A small rivulet called Suvarnavathy also joins the rivers here.


Famous for Ayurveda

Nanjangud is famous for the Ayurveda medicines manufactured by the Late Sri. B.V.Pandit. The Sadvaidyashala established by him serves people very successfully. Ayurvedic medicenes produced here are marketed all over India. In earlier times (1950-70) a tooth powder brand made locally called 'Nanjangud Hallupudi' was also very famous all over Karnataka.

Nanjungud is also very famous for a special type of Banana called Nanjungud RasaBale Hannu. It has even been patented.



HOW TO REACH

One can reach Nanjangud, Karnataka via road. If traveling from the state capital Bangalore (163 kilometers away), one can take the State Highway 17 to reach the Nanjungud. The nearest rail head is Mysore(26km) which is well connected with the other cities in the country.

Bandipur: 55 km
Madumalai: 60 km
There are good Bus connection Facility from Mysore and Nanjungud.
The Recently opened BG Rail line has also improved Connectivity

WHRERE TO STAY :

There are lot of Choultries and some Lodges which offer Basic Comfort.
The Better among them are
Magaji Choultry
Eashwari Bhavan

The more wiser option would be stay in Mysore(26km)

Temple Timings:
Weekdays: 6.00 AM to 1.30 PM and 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Sundays: 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM