Srikanteshwara temple or Nanjundeshwara temple is the biggest temple in Karnataka located in Nanjangud, Nanjangud is on the banks of the River Kapila (Kabini) tributaries of the Cauvery River. The name of the town is derived from the huge Nanjundeshwara or Srikanteswara temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva who is locally known as Nanjundeshwara. It was also known as Garalapuri in the Sthalapuranas. The town attained holiness because of the “Sangam” where the Gundlu and the Kapila join. The spot is called Parusharama Kshetra where the sage Parashurama is said to have been recompensed for the sin of decapitating his mother. Nanjangud also called “Dakshina Kashi” (southern Kashi) situated at a distance of about 25kms from Mysore and 27 km from Chamundi hills, 54 km from Bandipur 59 km from Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, 47 km from Brindavan Gardens, 46 km from Srirangapatna, 170 km from Bangalore.
As per Hindu mythology, while searching for the nectar of immortality the Gods and demons churned the ocean. During this churning, poison emanated first out of the ocean, to prevent the poison from spreading across the universe and to destroy it, Lord Shiva came to the rescue and drank the poison. Lord Shiva's wife Parvathi then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body and killing him. Narada held his mouth so that he did not vomit it out. The poison remained in his throat, making it blue in color. So Lord Shiva is also called Neelakantha, or "the blue-throated one". Nanjanagud literally means the place where Nanjundeshwara (God who drank poison) resides. Nanjundeswara is also described as one who cures diseases of his devotees.
The Srikanteshwara temple of Nanjangudu is the biggest temple in Karnataka and measures 385 feet by 160 feet, with a total area of 50,000 square feet. The Mahadvara (main entrance) is seven-story high and is decorated with seven gold plated Kalasas that add a further three meters to its loftiness flanked by two horns. The outer walls of the temple are about 12 feet high. A spacious courtyard (Prakara) welcomes hundreds of pilgrims to the divine abode of Shiva and offers a veritable galaxy of stucco figures as it boasts of more than 122 images including Dikpalas, the largest number of Sculptures relating to Shiva and his various manifestations, several forms of Subramanya, Saptamatrikas and others. There are many exquisite bronze icons that Vie for attention and prominent among them are Tandaveshvara, Narayana with Bhudevi, Chandrashekaramurthi, Parvati, Chandikeshvara and others. The inner niches of the temple wall also depict 32 forms of Ganapathi eulogized in the Mudgala Purana ana each is more enchanting than the other. The temple is a centrally protected monument.
A thousand – year-old history has made a signal contribution to the massive proportions of the temple as kings and rulers endeavored to surpass the other in building and extending this abode of Shiva, the protector of the land. Chola Kings in the 11th – 12th century is considered to have set in motion the construction of the temple with significant additions by the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. The temple was developed on a full scale during the era of the Mysore rulers and reached its mammoth proportions due to the deviation of Krishna Raja Odeyar towards the deity.
The Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan had strong faith in God Nanjundeshwara called him as 'Hakim Nanjundeshwara', as his favorite and beloved elephant’s eye ailment was cured by administering the holy water (theertha) from the temple. He has donated a Lingam made of jade along with an emerald necklace.
On the banks of the Kapila are the Parashurama Kshetra, and people firmly believe that a pilgrimage to Nanjangudu would be incomplete without a prayer here. There are other temples dedicated to Gauthama, Ganapathi, Dattatreya has also Raghavendra Swami Mutt and Virasaiva Mutts.
Sri Srikanteshwara is worshipped every day through Abhisheka and Pooja conducted as per Saivagama. Mondays, New Moon days and full Moon days are of special significance. Girija Kalyana held in the month of Mithuna (July) is a grand celebration of the marriage of Shiva with Parvati and it is a feast to the eyes to witness both these bejeweled deities resplendent in all their finery. The temple possesses five exquisitely carved wooden chariots and three among them are pulled on the occasion of Chikka Jathra held in the month of Vrischika (November) and all the five chariots during the Panchamaharathotsava in the month of April. This festival lasts for 10 days. Maha Shivarathri and Navarathri are other festivals celebrated with devotion and fervor on a very grand scale.
Rathotsava Chariot Procession
A distinctive feature of this temple is that it has devotees from both Vaishnava and Srivaishnava sects. Srikanteshwara is a family deity of thousands of families in Karnataka and these families visit this temple regularly either or before performing major functions at their homes. The annual rathotsava or the chariot procession at Nanjanagud is a renowned religious ritual that attracts thousands of people from far and near. People turn out in droves for the yearly Panchamaha Rathothsava. The central Car Street was occupied by believers and pilgrims from Mysore and the nearby regions converge at the temple confines to get a peek of the recitation event which climaxed with the drawing of five chariots devoted to various deities. Rathothsava is preceded by an extravagant set of rituals at the Srikanteshwara temple with consecrated hymns accompanied by the conventional ensemble of musical instruments. After the rituals and special prayers, the first of the five chariots called the ‘Ganapathy Ratha’ is drawn by the devotees and this was followed by the ‘Chandikeshwara Ratha’, the ‘Gautama Ratha’, ‘Subramanya Ratha,’ and lastly the ‘Parvathi Ratha’. The cynosure of all eyes was the ‘Gautama Ratha’ which practically equals the height of the main tower of the temple and is supposed to be at least 90 feet high. Government authorities and law enforcement make exceptional preparations to transfer the chariots and to ensure that the chariots did not veer off the road anyway stationing cranes and other heavy machinery to cope with emergencies.
Jatra
- During Dodda jathre / Chikka jathre, on the Kapila river, there will be a grand floating Theppotsava for Lord Shiva for a day. Also, during Sri Girijakalyana festival, for 3 evenings on the Kapila river, there will be a grand floating Theppotsava
- Every month, on the full moon day, a grand Rathotsava (Chariot festival) will be held for Lord Srikanteshwaraswamy. People come out in large numbers to pull the chariot themselves.
- Every year, on the Rathasapthami day, a grand Rathotsava (Chariot festival) will be held for Lord Srikanteshwaraswamy. People come out in large numbers to pull the chariot themselves.
- Every year, on the Subbharayana Shashti day, a grand Rathotsava (Chariot festival) will be held for Lord Srikanteshwaraswamy. People come out in large numbers to pull the chariot themselves.
Temple festivals Details
- Doddajathre (Big fest) in which 5 Chariots are pulled by the devaotees in the main street of the old town, is celebrated in the month of march / april & on this day thousands of devotees come to Nanjangud for the festival. Devotees pull 5 chariots during this day & some of the devotees also do Jagarana on this night as on the night of Mahashivrathri. The 5 chariots are dedicated to Ganesh, Sri Srikanteshwara, Parvathi,Subramanya & Chandikeshwara. They carry their respective idols.
- Chikkajathre (Small fest) is celebrated usually in November / December month during this day 3 chariots are pulled by the devotees.
- Sri Srikanteshwara Jayanthi: A procession of 11 small chariots will take place on Sri Srikanteshwara jayanthi.
- Skandha (Subramanya) Shashti: Chariot with idol of Lord subramanya is pulled by the devotees on the day of Skandha (Subramanya) Shashti.
- Girija kalyana will be celebrated during Ashadamasa.
- Lakshadeepotsava will be celebrated during Kartheekamasa.
Facilities
- Near Kapila river, facilitates such as toilets and also dress changing room for ladies have been set up for the benefit of the devotees.
- Near Kapila river, free cloakroom facilitates have been set up for the devotees to keep their luggage in.
- Pay & Use toilets have been set up near the huge Yogeshwara statue.
- Free Cloakroom facility has also been set up near the Kalyani for the benefit of the devotees who have come to visit the temple.
- For the benefit of devotees coming from Mysore to Nanjangud K.S.R.T.C has provided the 5 buses (up and down).
- K.S.R.T.C has provided a bus every 10 minutes, for the devotees coming to Nanjangud.
- The temple and the surrounding area have been declared as a “Plastic Free” zone. Devotees are requested to cooperate, in this regard.
- Devotees who are traveling by two wheelers or four wheelers are requested to park their vehicles in the parking place by paying the parking fee.
- Devotees can stay at the Sri Girija Kalyana Mandira / Dormitory / V.I.P Cottages by paying a nominal price and can get a receipt for the same.
- For the security of the temple and as well as the devotees, there is a police outpost or police station near the temple.
- Laddu prasada, Kallu Sakkare prasada, Kharjura (dates) prasada, Theertha Prasada and also Maha Prasada are sold both inside and outside the temple. Devotees can choose and buy prasada at any of these locations.
- Inside the temple, the surroundings, the dormitory, the Dasoha Bhavan (the place where the free meals are served), all have the facility of providing clean R.O drinking water for the devotees.
temple timings
Morning:
- Usha kala Abhishekam - 6:30 AM
- Pratha kala Abhishekam - 9:00 AM
- Sangama kala Abhishekam - 11:00 AM
- Madhyana kala Abhishekam - 12:00 PM
Evening:
- Pradoshkala Abhishekam - 6:30 PM
- Ekanta kala Abhishekam - 8:00 PM
Temple Darshan Timings: morning: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm Evening: 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
*Temple will be open from Morning 6:00 AM to Evening 8:30 PM on Special Days, Sundays and Mondays.
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Botanical garden and park
Zoo and aquarium
Museum and art gallery
