23rd June 2019.
After completing our Two days ( 22nd and 23rd June 2019 ) visit of Chozha’s period Shiva and Vishnu temples in Chamarajanagar & Mysuru Districts of Karnataka State and Edakkal Petroglyphs, on the way to Erode, our final visit was to this Shiva Temple at Nanjangud. This Srikenteshwara temple is also considered as “Dakshina Kashi” an equivalent to Kashi, is on the Sangam/ joining place of Rivers Kapila ( Kabini ) and Gundlu. This temple is also one of the biggest temple of Karnataka.
Moolavar : Srikanteshwara
Consort : Sri Parvati
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 120 feet high 7 tier Rajagopura. A Courtyard with a mandapa is on after the Rajagopura. The mandapa might have the Nandhi, which is kept in the prakara facing east.
The second level Rajagopura is of 5 tiers. Balipeda and Dwajasthamba. Vinayagar and Subramaniyar are at the entrance of mahamandapa with Dwrabalakas. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapa and mahamandapa. A stucco vimana is on the sanctum. There is no Koshta niches with statues. Nandhi is in the sanctum but not straight to Lord Shiva.
The prakara houses 66 idols of Saiva saints, in addition Shiva’s various forms, Ashtadikbalakas, Nataraja, Dhakshinamurthy, Donars, Kings etc,. Ambal Sri Parvati, Vinayaga, Subramaniyar on Peacock, Sandikeswara and Narayana with Sridevi & Bhudevi are in separate sannadhis on the left side of Moolavar.
It is believed that the moolavar was installed by Gautama maharishi during his stay at Nanjangud. Parashurama worshiped Lord Shiva to get relieved from the sin caused due to killing of his mother. Maharajas of Mysuru used to visit this temple frequently.
LEGEND:
The sthala purana is related to the churning of Milk ocean by the Devas and Asuras. The poison ( Nanju ) came out of the snake Vasuki was drank by Lord Shiva. Before it crosses the throat Parvati stopped by holding the throat which tuned in to blue colour. Hence Shiva is called as Neelakanteshwara or Srikanteshwara.
As per another legend the Kesi a demon with full form of poison gave frequent troubles to Devas. When Devas approached Lord Shiva, asked them to perform an yagnam at Nanjangud, a place where the three river joins / confluence ( Kapila, Koundinya and Manikarnika ). In the Yagnam Kesi was put in the yaga, Lord Shiva in the form of agni Swallowed Kesi. As per the request of Devas Lord Shiva Stayed in the form of swayambu Linga at Nanjangud.
In Another legend Lord Shiva was called as Hakim ( Doctor) Nanjundeshwara by Tippu Sultan, since his elephant’s eyesight was restored by the grace of Lord Shiva. In respect to Lord Shiva Tippu Sultan donated an emerald Shiva Linga to this temple. Hence People also fondly call Lord Shiva as “Vaidya Nanjundeswara”.
FESTIVAL: Annual Rathotsava ( Chariot ) is celebrated in a grand manner. During Rathotsava Rathas of Ganapathy Ratha, Chandikeswra Ratha, Gautama ratha ( about 90 feet high ), Parvathi Ratha and Subramanya Rathas are drawn in procession.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE.
The Sanctum cylindrical pillars belongs to Ganga / Chozha period of about 9th to 11th Century. The mandapa lathe turned pillars belongs to 13th Century Hoysala period. The 7 tier Rajagopura was built by the Queen Devajammanni wife of Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III in 1845 AD. The 6 feet Nandhi was donated by Vikramaraya. The 8feet Nandhi was near Thulabara mandapa was donated by Dalavayi Vikramaraya in 1644AD.
INSCRIPTIONS:
Even-though it is claimed that the main sanctum was built by Gangas and Cholas, no inscriptions was found to prove the same. Vimanas, Gopuras and Sub sannadhis were built during Vijayanagara period and latter contributed by the Maharajas of Mysuru. The latter period inscription details are given below.
The 1517AD inscription records a gift of 2 + 8 = 10 villages by Virakhatheya son of Chikkoj Srirangapattana to Virupaksha Bhatta and four others as agrahara with free of taxes.
The 1834AD Inscription records the setting up of the God Basavesvara by Kempina Basamma of the Chandra Vilasa, wife of Krishnaraja Vodeyar-III.
The 1847AD inscription records Lingajammanni of Krishna Vilas Sannidhana wife of Krishnaraja Vodeyar installed an image of Sri Mahalingeshwara.
An inscription speaks about brass covered door way by Chikka Puttammanni of the Royal Family to Maridesvara Shrine set up in the name of Manovilasa Sannidhana in the Srikanteshwara Temple.
Another inscription records a gift by Krishnaraja Vodeyar-III a brass plated doorway for the cell containing Balakempa Devajesvara set up by the Queen Puttammanni of Chandra Vilasa.
A 19th Century inscription records the gift of a brass covered doorway by Nanjappa Ramasamudra to Basaveswara Shrine in Srikanteshvara Temple at Nanjangud setup in the name of Chandra Vilasa Sannidhana.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs. On Sunday, Monday and Special days the temple will kept open from 06.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs continuously.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Govt.
Web site for this temple: https://rcmysore-portal.kar.nic.in/temples/nanjangudtemple/
Executive Officer : 08221 223320Office : 08221 226245
Dormitory : 08221 226542
HOW TO REACH:
The Temple is the banks of River Kabini.
The temple is about 24 KM from Mysuru, 175 KM from Bengaluru and 500 KM from Chennai.
Frequent buses are available from Mysuru.
Nanjangud has its own railway Station.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
May be a King with his wives
Nayanmars Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandar
Veerabhathirar
The Sthala purana idol - Parvati holds the throat of Lord Shiva to Stop the poison - nanju
At Sanctum wall.. May be Donors
One of the Ratha
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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