The town of Nanjangud is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Nanjundeshwara, also referred to as Srikanteshwara.

It is believed that sage Gauthama stayed here for some time and installed a lingam, the idol form of Shiva. Nanjangud is also known as 'Dakshina Kashi' or Varanasi of the South. The Ganga rulers originally built the temple in the 9th century. The residing deity of the temple was later called Hakim Nanjundeshwara.

Interestingly, this was a title given by Tippu Sultan, who had great faith in God. According to a popular story doing the rounds here, Tippu’s favourite elephant was restored eye sight by Lord Nanjundeshwara, following his vow to the local deity. The Sultan then donated a jade lingam and an emerald necklace to the temple. Even to this day, Vaidya Nanjundeshwara is said to be a great healer.

This temple celebrates the legend of Shiva consuming the poison that emanated when the milky ocean was churned by the devas and the asuras in their joint quest for the nectar of immortality. Legend also has it that Parashurama worshiped the Lord at this shrine.

This temple has an imposing rajagopuram and an array of sculptural work depicting mythological scenes. The spacious temple has minor shrines of Narayana with consorts, Chandikeshwara, Parvathi, Natya Ganapathi and others.

There are many lingas within the temple premises and also a vast pillared mantapa. The nine-storied tall gopura or tower is ascribed to the queen of the Mysore kings, Devarajammanni, wife of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. The tower, nearly 120 feet in height, has fine stucco images and decorations and gold-gilded kalashas atop, seven in number, each about three meters in height and is flanked by two horns.

Twice every year, thousands of worshippers gather for the famous car festival, locally known as the dodda jathre and the chikka jathre. Idols of Lord Srikanteshwara, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subramanya and Lord Chandikeshwara are kept in five separate chariots and a traditional puja is performed to the idols early in the morning on the day of the jathre. Hundreds of pilgrims throng Nanjangud during this time where apart from cultural programmes and illumination of the temple, a colourful theppotsava is also conducted.

Other places of interest

Near Nanjangud is the Sangam, where the Kapila and Kaundinya rivers meet. This place is termed as Parashurama Kshetra, the place where sage Parashurama is said to have cleansed himself from the sin of beheading his mother. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Parashurama here.

Another important centre in Nanjangud is the Raghavendra Swamy Math, situated on the road to the right of the Nanjundeshwara temple. It was founded by the close of 15th century by Sudheendra Thirtha and was headed by Raghavendra Thirtha. The uniqueness of this temple is that this is the only math where you can see an idol of Raghavendra Swamy, as opposed to the Brindavana in other maths.

A popular variety of banana, locally known as Nanjangud rasabale has also made Nanjangud famous all over the region. However, if you are really looking for them, it is better to accompany a local, else you could be cheated.

The distance between Bangalore and Nanjangud is around 163 km and the place is well connected by buses. The temple timings on weekdays are from 6 am to 1.30 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm and on Sundays from 6 am to 10 pm.