Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple - Nanjangud Mysuru
🖼️ Photo Gallery
🛕 Temple Info
Nestled gracefully on the sacred banks of River Kapila (Kabini), Sri Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple—also known as Sri Nanjundeshwara Temple—is one of Karnataka's largest and most spiritually charged Shiva temples. The deity here is worshipped in the form of Nanjunda, meaning "the Lord who drank poison", epitomizing divine sacrifice and healing.
The sprawling temple complex, adorned with intricate sculptures, spans over 50,000 square feet, with a towering seven-tier Gopuram crowned by golden Kalashas. This ancient shrine is renowned for its healing energy, spiritual grace, and the soul-soothing power of its rituals.
Daily Rituals:
Abhisheka and Saivagama-based pujas are performed twice daily—morning and evening.
Special Occasions:
- Mondays, Amavasya (New Moon), and Pournami (Full Moon) are auspicious.
- Girija Kalyana (July) – Celebrates the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati
- Chikka Jathra (November) – Features 3 chariots pulled in procession
- Panchamaha Rathotsava (April) – All 5 exquisitely carved wooden chariots are paraded in a 10-day grand festival
- Maha Shivaratri and Navaratri – Celebrated with spiritual intensity
💫 Importance
- Bhavaroga Vaidya: Lord Nanjundeshwara is venerated as a divine healer, believed to cure both physical ailments and karmic afflictions (Grahadoshas).
- Known as Dakshina Kashi, a holy dip in the sacred Kapila river here is considered more meritorious than bathing in the Ganges.
- The soil and waters around the temple are believed to hold curative properties, attracting devotees seeking physical and spiritual healing.
- The temple is revered by kings, sages, saints, and even Sultan Tipu, who offered an emerald Shiva Linga after his elephant was miraculously healed.
- The temple is a Saiva pilgrimage gem, offering darshan to thousands daily and becoming a spiritual cornerstone in Karnataka.
📜History
Mythological Origins:
As per the Sthala Purana, Sage Gautama is believed to have consecrated the Linga here. Parasurama, seeking penance after slaying his mother, bathed in the Kapila river and prayed to Lord Shiva at this very site.
Puranic Significance:
The name Nanjunda originates from the cosmic episode of Samudra Manthana, where Lord Shiva consumed the Halahala poison to protect the universe. Goddess Parvati prevented it from passing his throat, turning it blue—earning him the name Neelakantha and here, Nanjundeshwara.
Historical Patronage:
- Cholas (11th–12th centuries): Initiated temple construction
- Hoysalas & Vijayanagara rulers: Expanded architecture
- Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan: Offered gifts, revered the deity
- Mysore Wodeyars: Elevated the temple to its majestic scale
Architectural Grandeur:
- Temple dimensions: 385 ft x 160 ft
- Seven-storey Mahadwara Gopuram with 7 golden Kalashas
- Over 122 stucco figures, 32 forms of Ganesha, and rare bronze icons like Tandaveshwara, Chandikeshwara, and Parvati
- The temple is now a centrally protected monument for its cultural and historical significance.
🪔 Pooja Timings
Morning: 06:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 08:30 PM
🚌 Transfort Options
From Mysore: 25 km – ~40 minutes
From Bengaluru: 140 km – ~3.5 hours
From Kerala border: 80 km – ~2 hours
Well-connected via road and rail, with buses and private taxis frequently available from Mysore and surrounding towns.
🏙️Near By Cities
Mysuru
Mandya
Bangalore
Ramnagar
🗣️ Devotee Comments