Bangaluru.org - "Nanjangud" Pilgrimage in Karnataka

Nanjangud is a town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka . It is a temple town and is on the banks of the river Kapila (a.k.a Kabini ). It is at a distance of 23 km from the city of Mysore . Nanjangud is also called as "Dakshina Kashi" (southern Kashi ).

The main temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva , whose another name is Nanjundeshwara. Nanjundeshwara means the God who drank poison. Hindu mythology quotes an interesting legend in which the Gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the nectar of immortality. During this churning, there were lots of artefacts that emanated out of the ocean, including poison. To prevent the poison from spreading across the universe and destroying it, Shiva came to the rescue and drank the poison. His wife Parvati then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body. Nanjanagud literally means the place where Nanjundeshwara resides.

Nanjangud has been a major Shaiva centre since times immemorial. The original Nanjundeshwara temple is said to be of Ganga period (325 - 1000 CE). This temple has then been renovated by the Hoysala kings. Both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan had close associations with this temple. Wodeyar kings have provided various grants to renovate the temple.

Nanjundeshwara temple

The town is famous because of the huge temple dedicated to Lord Nanjundeswara also referred to as Srikanteswara. 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 temple was originally built by the Ganga rulers in the 9th century during their occupation of this region. The residing deity of the temple was later called Hakim Nanjundeswara ; a title given by the Great Tippu Sultan who had faith in the God. It is said and inscribed in the temple history that his favourite and beloved elephant was bestowed with eyesight by the Lord, after Tippu Sultan's vow with the local deity. The Sultan then had a Lingam made of jade along with an emerald necklace and donated it to the temple. The Vaidya Nanjundeswara , even today is said to be a healer for his believers, and one can see even today worshippers doing Urulu seve , a ritualistic practice after taking bath in the Kapila river.

Twice every year thousands of worshippers gather for the famous Chariot 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 Jathre day. After the puja chariots are flagged off. Thousands of devotees pull the Chariots carved out of wood, across the streets of the old town. The town remains immersed in festivities on the Jathre days.

Sri Raghavendra swamy Mutt

Also there is a famous Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt which is called Preteeka Sanidhi (one can find a idol of Sri Raghavendra Swamy instead of the usual Brindavana). We can find the Moola Brindavanas (mortal remains) of 5 saints belonging to Raghavendra swamy mutt lineage known as Pancha Brindavana.

Parashurama Kshetra

Near Nanjangud is the sangam, where the Kapila and Kaundinya rivers meet. This place is termed as Parashurama Kshetra which is where the sage Parashurama is said to have cleansed himself from the sin of beheading his mother. A small rivulet called Suvarnavathy also joins the rivers here. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Parashurama here.

Nearby Tourist Locations

Mysore is a well known tourist place, only 23 km from Nanjangud
Bandipur is well known for its wildlife sanctuary and is 55 km from Nanjangud
Mudumalai , also a wildlife sanctuary is 60 km from Nanjangud

Other attractions

Ayurveda

Nanjangud is famous for the Ayurveda medicines manufactured by the Late Sri. B.V.Pandit. The Sadvaidyashala established by him serves people very successfully. Ayurvedic medicenes produced here are marketed all over India . In earlier times (1950-70) a tooth powder brand made locally called 'Nanjangud Hallupudi' was also very famous all over Karnataka .

Bananas

A popular variety of banana locally known as Nanjangud Rasabaley has also made Nanjangud famous all over the region.

Distance:-	163 km fromf Bangalore
By Road:-	From the state capital Bangalore , one can take the State Highway 17 which goes to Mysore and then onwards to Nanjangud. The total distance from Bangalore to Nanjangud is around 163 km.
By Air:-	The nearest airport is the one at Bangalore . Alternatively one can use the airports at Coimbatore or Calicut for reaching Nanjangud. However, the airport at Mysore is being upgraded which can then be used to reach Nanjangud.
By Rail:-	Nanjangud has a railway station but the railway line is not yet broad gauge (the standard gauge followed by Indian Railways). It lies on the metre gauge line which runs from Mysore to Chamarajanagar . Mysore being an important location is well connected by rail to major cities in India and hence passengers can stop over at Mysore and take another train to reach Nanjangud . Conversion of the existing metre gauge line in Nanjanagud to broad gauge under project Unigauge is in progress. There is also a proposal to connect the railway line at Chamarajanagar to the railway line at Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu which will provide connectivity to Nanjangud to other cities in the south of India .
Route:-	From the state capital Bangalore , one can take the State Highway 17 which goes to Mysore and then onwards to Nanjangud.
When to go:-	Any time of the year.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Lalith Mahal Palace Siddartha Nagar, Mysore - 570 011 Tel: 0821-2470471, 2470475 Tariff Range: Rs. 5,500/- to Rs. 30,000/-+Tax Regaatis Hotel No. 13-14, Vinoba Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2428817, 2426426 Fax: 0821-421689 Email: sstar@sancharnet.in Web site: www.ushashriramhotels.com Tariff Range:Rs.4,500/- to Rs.9,000/-+Tax The Green Hotel No. 2270, Vinoba Road, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore - 570 012 Tel: 0821-4255000/ 01/ 02, 2512536 Fax: 0821 - 5126139 Email: thegreenhotel@airtelbroadband.in Tariff Range: Rs.1,950/- to Rs.6,000/-+Tax King's Kourt JLB Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2421142 Fax: 0821-2422384 Email: kingskourt@gmail.com Web site: www.kingskourt.com Tariff Range: Rs.1,800/- to Rs.4,000/-+Tax Hotel Best Western Ramashree Hardinge Circle, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2522265/ 02/ 05 Fax: 0821-2565781 Email: mysore@ramanashree.com Web site: www.ramanashree.com Tariff Range: Rs.2,195/- to Rs.4,295/- +Tax The Viceroy Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2424001, 2428001 Fax: 0821-2433391 Email: viceroymys@data1.in Tariff Range: Rs.11,075/- to Rs. 22095/- Hotel Palace Plaza No. 2716, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2417592, 2430034 Fax: 0821-2421070 Email: plazagroup@data1.in Tariff Range: Rs. 1,200/- to Rs. 15,000/-+12% Tax Hotel The Paradise No. 104, Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, Mysore - 570 020 Tel: 0821-2410366, 2515655 Fax: 0821-2514400 Email: hotelparadise@airtelbroadband.in Tariff Range: Rs. 975/- to Rs.2,700/-+12%Tax Hotel Siddharta No. 73/1,Guest House Road, Nazarbad, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2522999, 888 Fax: 0821-2520692 Email: siddhartahotel@hotmail.com Web site: www.siddhartahotel.com Tariff Range: Rs. 960/- to Rs.1,460/- +17% Tax Hotel Prakash Deluxe Opposite Medical College, 1474 - Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysore - 570 021 Tel: 0821-2521676, 2529434 Fax: 0821-2431136 Email: alevurhotels@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 390/- to Rs.750/- +Tax Hotel Bombay Tiffanys No. 313, Sayyaji Rao Road Cross, Opposite Main Bata Showroom, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2435255, 2435256 Fax: 0821-2433105 Email: bambaytiffanys@yahoo.co.in Tariff Range: Rs 390/- to Rs.950/- +Tax Hotel Luciya International Near Dasprakash, No. 1771, Old Bank Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2420261 Fax: 0821-2420404 Email: muneernmk@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 1200/- +8% Tax Hotel Darshan Palace Lokaranjan Mahal Road, Opposite to Regency Theatre, Nazarbad, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2520794, 24258777 Fax: 0821-2564083 Email: madhu_sudhanraj@yahoo.co.in Web site: www.hoteldarshanpalace.com Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- to Rs.1400/-+Tax Ganesh Palace Inn L-17, Chandraguptha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2428985, 2421909 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 850/ +Tax KSTDC Mayura Hoysala No. 2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2425349, 2425597, Tariff Range: Rs 650/- to Rs.1,000/- Hotel SCVDS Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2421379, 2425161 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 750/- Hotel Govardhan Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2434118, 2429422 Email: stayhotelgoverdhan.com Tariff Range: Rs.400/- to Rs.972/- Hotel Dasharath No. 1159, Ramsons House, Near Zoo Garden, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2449121 Fax: 0821-2563602 Email: emailramsonsmysore@yahoo.com Tarriff Range: Rs. 240/- to Rs. 750/- KSTDC Mayura Yatri Nivas No. 2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2423492 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 550/- Hotel Ritz No. 5, B N Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2422668, 2429082 Fax: 0821-2435777 Email: hotelritz@rediffmail.com Tariff Range: Rs.484/- +Tax Hotel Aashraya Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2427088, 2426570 Tariff Range: Rs. 350 above Hotel Chalukya International Rajkamal Talkies Road, Dhanvantri Road Cross, Devaraja Mohalla, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2427374, 2427197 Tariff Range: Rs. 225/- to Rs. 375/- +Tax Hotel Indra Bhavan Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-423933, 423755 Fax: 0821-422290 Email:hotel_indra_bhavan@rediffmail.com Tariff Range: Rs. 170/- to Rs. 450/-+Tax Shree Krishna Continental No. 73, Nazarbad Main Road, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-447042, 449044 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 1100/- Hotel Kalinga K R Circle, Opposite City Bus Stand, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-431310, 070, 091 Fax: 0821-431310 Tariff Range: Rs. 260/- to Rs. 312/-+Tax Hotel Tara Kempananjamba, Agrahara Road, Mysore - 570 024 Tel: 0821-427938 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 400/-+Tax Hotel Gayathri New Gayathri Building, Opposite Railway Station, Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-425654 Tariff Range: Rs. 312/- to Rs. 500/-+Tax Hotel Sangeetha No. 1966, Narayana Shastry Road, Near Udupi Sri Krishna Mandir, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2424693, 2422424 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 550/-+Tax Mysore Dasaprakash Gandhi Square, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-442444, 444455 Fax: 0821-443456 Email: hoteldasaprakash@sancharnet.in.co Tariff Range: Rs. 400/- to Rs. 925/-+Tax Park Lane Hotel No. 2720, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-430400 Fax: 0821-428424 Email: parklanemysore@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 200/-Above +Tax Green's Boarding, Lodging& Restaurant Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-422415 Tariff: Rs. 120/- Above +Tax.