Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple Timings, History, Sevas

Srikanteshwara temple of Nanjangudu is a renowned and the biggest temple in Karnataka. It measures 385 feet by 160 feet, with a total area of 50,000 square feet. The Mahadvara (main entrance) is a seven storey construction 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).

The temple comprises many idols of Lord Shiva and his various incarnations, Lord Subrahmanya idols, Narayana with Bhudevi, Chandrashekaramurthi, Parvati, Chandikeshvara, 32 forms of Ganapathi depicts (eulogized in the Mudgala Purana) in the inner niches.

There are other temples dedicated to Ganapathi, Dattatreya and Gauthama. Also, there are two mutts belonging to Raghavendra Swami and Virasaiva.

Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple Darshan Timings:

On Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat:

Morning: 6.00 AM to 1.00 PM.
Evening: 4.00 PM to 8:30 PM.

On Special Days, Sundays and Mondays

6.00 AM to 8:30 PM
The Temple doors are open from Morning 6:00 AM to Evening 8:30 PM on all Special Days, Sundays and Mondays without break.

Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple Poojas and Abhishekams:

Morning Timings:
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 Timings:
Pradosh Kala Abhishekam – 6:30 PM
Ekanta Kala Abhishekam – 8:00 PM

Nanjangud Sri Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple Festivals and Jatra:

Maha Shivarathri
Sri girija kalyana Mahotsava
Chikkajathre
Doddajathre
Thepotsava
Lakshadeepotsava
Varadhanti

Karnataka (Kannadigama) is a beautiful location for many Hindu Temples, particularly very renowned and ancient temples located around Mysore, the cultural capital city.

One of the famous temples is the Nanjundeshwara (incarnation of Lord Shiva) temple, located at a distance of about 25 km from Mysore.

The town is situated on the banks/confluence of the Kapila or Kabini River and hence predominated as Sangama sthala to a have a holy bath on auspicious occasions is equal to having a bath in Ganga or in any Kumbha Mela. It is also hailed as Dakshina Kashi.

Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple Legend:

Nanjagudu was formerly called Garalapuri which is known as a part of Dandakaranya. It was the dwelling place of a monster named Kesi. The monster usually torments the sages and creates obstacles, disturbs them during their yajnas and spiritual rites. The monster’s body is completely venomous and hence any powerful kings, yogis collapsed before him when tried to kill him. Unable to sustain the pains of the monster, all the yogis assembled in one place to decide who can destroy the monster. After a discussion, the sages came to the conclusion that Lord Shiva who sustained venom in his throat previously is the one who can kill the monster Kesi. So all went to Kailash to meet Lord Shiva and made their humble request where Lord Sri Kanteshwara also accepted, came in that form to Garalapuri on his Nandi Vahana and killed the monster Kesi. The toxic fumes that emerged from the corpse of the monster started havocking normal human lives, damaging various species, flora and fauna in the forest. So once again Lord Shiva accepted the venom into his throat to save the existence of the humans and other species.

According to Purana:

After the annihilation of the monster, it is not precisely come to light whether Lord Shiva (Sri Kanteshwara) has himself intruded into the crust of the earth or the shiva linga had reached in due to the natural calamities. After some years Parasurama, when visited this place revealed using his sixth sense power has unearthed the Shiva Linga and performed penance to the Shiva Linga to expiate from a sin that occurred for killing his mother. And hence this Shiva Linga is known to be as Parasurameshwara Lingam or Parasurameshwara Kshethra (temple).

Sage Gowthama is also said to be performed penance at this place and offered prayers for Lord Sri Kanteshwara to expiate from a sin.

Another Legend:

Legend relates to the churning of the ocean when Shiva had to consume venom (haalahala). Nanjunda is supposed to be the place where Lord Shiva got digested the halahala (venom). Hence the deity is also known as Srikanteshwara.

The water and the soil around the river banks are believed to possess curative properties that cure various diseases. Hence the Lord Sri Nanjundeshwara is also worshipped as bhavaroga vaidya.

Tippu Sultan also worships Sri Kanteshwara for curing the wound of his favorite Elephants eye being damaged during a war which was unable to cure by various veternity doctors. Miraculously and very soon the elephant’s eye was cured. Satisfied with this incident, he started to call the lord Hakim Nanjunda and donated an emerald Linga and a valuable emerald necklace as votive offerings.

Folk legends call the place the dwelling of Nanjayya later identified as shiva with ballads on Nanjayya describing his romantic interlude with Chamundi of Mysore.

Nanjangud Sri Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple Contributions:

The Chola Kings during the 11th – 12th century is considered to set the initiative for the construction of the temple with significant further expansions by the kings of Hoysalas, Gaanga, Vijayanagara dynasty and Mysore Sultan rulers.

Srikanteshwara Temple Sevas:

Places Near Nanjangud Swamy Temple:

1) Sri Lakshmikanthaswamy temple Kallale village, Nanjangud Taluk, 9 kilometers from Nanjangud.
2) Sri Veenugopala swamy temple Yemmaragala village, Nanjangud Taluk, 15 kilometers from Nanjangud.
3) Sri Prassanna Nanjundeshwara swamy temple Chikkaiyana chatra, Nanjangud Taluk, 5 kilometers from Nanjangud.
4) Sri Himmavad Gopalaswamy temple Anngala village, Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagar District, 55 kilometers from Nanjangud.
5) Bandipura National Park Bandipur, Gundlupet tq, Chamarajanagar Distict, 75 kilometers from Nanjangud.
6) Sri keshthra Suttur Matta Suttur village, Nanjangud Taluk, 16 kilometers from Nanjangud.
7) Sri keshthra Devanur Matta Devanur village, Nanjangud Taluk, 14 kilometers from Nanjangud.
8) Sri Bellligerirangana swamy temple B.R. hills, Yalandur Taluk, Chamarajanagar District, 67 kilometers from Nanjangud.

How To Reach Srikanteshwara Temple:

By Air:
Mysuru Airport is 15 km and Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport is 230 km. Visitors can get a taxi or drive from the airport to the temple.

By Rail:
The Nanjanagudu railway station is the closest station to the temple and is 1.2 km from the temple.

By Road:
Local buses connect Nanjangud with places nearby like Bokkalli, Mudahalli, Hulimavu and Hadinaru.

Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple Address:

Sri Srikanteshwaraswamy Temple,
Nanjangud,
Mysore District.
Karnataka – 571 301.
E-mail: sstnanjangud@gmail.com

Executive Officer: 08221 223320
Office: 08221 226245
Dormitory: 08221 226542
Fax: 08221 223523