23rd
June 2019.
After
completing our Two days (22nd and 23rd June 2019) visit
to 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 Srikanteshwara temple is also considered “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 temples
in Karnataka.
Moolavar : Srikanteshwara
Consort : Sri Parvati
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with a 120 feet high 7-tier Rajagopuram. A Courtyard with
a mandapa is on after the Rajagopuram. The mandapa might have the Rishabam, which
is kept in the prahara facing east.
The
second level Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Balipeda, Dwajasthambam, Vinayagar, and
Subramaniar are at the entrance of the maha mandapa with Dwarapalakas. The sanctum
sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, ardha mandapa, and maha mandapa. A stucco
vimana is on the sanctum. There are no Koshta niches with statues. Rishabam is in
the sanctum but not straight to Lord Shiva.
The prakara houses 66 idols of Saiva saints, Shiva’s various forms,
Ashtadikpalakas, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Donors, Kings, etc,. Ambal Sri
Parvati, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar on Peacock, Sandikeswara, and Narayana with Sridevi
& Bhudevi are in separate sannadhis on the left side of Moolavar.
Maybe a King with his wives
Nayanmars Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandar
LEGENDS
The
sthala purana is related to the churning of the Milk Ocean by the Devas and Asuras.
The poison ( Nanju ) that came out of the snake Vasuki was drunk by Lord Shiva.
Before it crossed the throat Parvati stopped by holding the throat which turned into a blue color. Hence Shiva is called Neelakanteshwara or Srikanteshwara.
In the Sthala Purana idol - Parvati holds the throat of Lord Shiva to Stop the poison - Nanju
As
per another legend, the Kesi a demon with a full form of poison gave frequent troubles
to Devas. When Devas approached Lord Shiva, asked them to perform a yagna at Nanjangud,
a place where the three rivers join/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 swayambhu Linga at
Nanjangud.
In
Another Legend, Lord Shiva was called Hakim ( Doctor) Nanjundeshwara by Tippu Sultan, since his
elephant’s eyesight was restored by the grace of Lord Shiva. With respect to Lord
Shiva, Tippu Sultan donated an emerald Shiva Linga to this temple. Hence People
also fondly call Lord Shiva “Vaidya Nanjundeshwara”.
It is believed that the moolavar was installed by Gautama Maharishi during his stay at Nanjangud. Parashurama worshiped Lord Shiva to get relief from the sin caused by to killing of his mother. Maharajas of Mysuru / Mysore used to visit this temple frequently.
HISTORY AND
ARCHITECTURE.
The
Sanctum cylindrical pillars belong to the Ganga/Chozha period of about the 9th to 11th
Century. The mandapa lathe-turned pillars belong to the 13th Century
Hoysala period. The 7-tier Rajagopuram was built by Queen Devajammanni wife
of Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III in 1845 CE. The 6 feet of Nandhi were donated by
Vikramaraya. The 8 feet Nandhi near
Thulabhara mandapa was donated by Dalavayi Vikramaraya in 1644 CE.
INSCRIPTIONS:
Even though it is claimed that the main sanctum was built by Gangas and Cholas, no
inscriptions were found to prove the same. Vimanas, Gopuras, and Sub sannadhis were
built during the Vijayanagara period and were later 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 Srirangapatna 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 Wodeyar-III.
The
1847AD inscription records Lingajammanni of Krishna Vilas Sannidhana wife of Krishnaraja Wodeyar installed
an image of Sri Mahalingeshwara.
An
inscription speaks about the brass-covered doorway by Chikka Puttammani 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 Wodeyar-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 Basaveshwara Shrine in Srikanteshwara Temple at
Nanjangud set in the name of Chandra Vilasa Sannidhana.
At Sanctum wall. Maybe Donors
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
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.
One of the Ratha
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 without a break.
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 on the bank of River Kabini.
The
temple is about 24 km from Mysuru / Mysore, 175 km from Bengaluru / Bangalore, and 500 km from
Chennai.
Frequent
buses are available from Mysuru / Mysore.
Nanjangud
has its own railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Veerabhadra
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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