Nanjangud (Kannada ನಂಜನಗೂಡು) 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).
Origin of name
The main temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, whose another name is Nanjundeshwara. Nanjundeshwara means "The God who drank poison". In Hindu mythology 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 to destroy 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."
History
Nanjangud has been a major Shaiva centre since times immemorial. The original Nanjundeshwaraa 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.
Geography
Nanjangud Taluk borders Mysore taluk of Mysore district to the north, T Narsipur taluk of Mysore district to the east, H D Kote taluk of Mysore district to the west and Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluks of Chamarajanagar district to the south.Getting There
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 Rail
Nanjangud has a railway station with broad gauge line (the standard gauge followed by Indian Railways) which runs from Mysore to Nanjangud. 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. 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.
The Gauge conversion of the railway track from Mysore to Chamarajanagar is completed. Kindly check Bangalore - Mysore - Nanjangud - Chamarajanagar Train Timings for the tentative time table.
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.
Places to see
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.
Comment: The Shiva temple is very beautiful but its nearby area has not been maintained. The water of Kapila river is also very polluted due to the enchrochment of the population. Not a place for the visiting purpose only.
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.
It is said that Parashurama got immense peace of mind at this place which he did not get anywhere else. So he decided to make a penance at the place where Nanjundeshwara temple presently exists. At that time, only Adi Keshava Temple existed (which is now by the side of main-shrine). While cleaning up the place with his axe, he accidentally hit the head of Lord Shiva, who was performing penance underground. Blood started flowing and Parushurama was frightened to have committed another sin. Then Lord Shiva consoled him not to worry and build a temple of his, adjacent to Adi Keshava's. Lord Shiva also told Parashurama to perform penance at Nanjangud. Parashurama performed at the place where his temple presently is located. Lord Shiva was then immensely happy with it and gave blessings that those who visit Nanjangud should definitely visit Parashurama temple to complete their piligrimage effectively and fruitfully.
It is believed that anyone who lets Jaggery block and Crystal salt dissolve in Suvarnavathy river in front of Parushurama Temple, all ill-effects and sins committed by them will be solved slowly and permanently just as the way Jaggery and Salt dissolve in water. This is believed to be so because Lord Parashurama himself cleansed his sin of beheading his mother, which can be considered as the most punishable act.
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
- T.Narsipur (Timakudlu Narsipur) is a well know pilgrimage and tourist centre, 28 km from Najangud
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.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Nanjangud had a population of 48,220. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Nanjangud has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 63%. In Nanjangud, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Economy
Nanjangud is a home to many industries which are mainly located in the Nanjangud Industrial Area which is spread across 532 acres. It all started with the now closed Sujatha Textile Mills (STM) which at its peak used to employ about 3000 people. Since then, STM has closed down. However, there are other industries which thrived. There are 36 major industries, 12 medium industries and 35 small-scale units at Nanjangud. According to NIA, Nanjangud is the second highest tax-paying (sales tax of over Rs400 crore a year) taluk in the State after Bangalore. Some of the major businesses located in Nanjangud are:
- Nestle India Ltd
- AT&S India Pvt Ltd.
- TVS Motor Company
- Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd
- South India Paper Mills
- S Kumars Reid & Taylor
- ABB
- Jubilant Organosys
- Brakes (India)
- Bacardi RUM
- Indus Fila
Bananas
A popular variety of banana locally known as Nanjangud Rasabaley has also made Nanjangud famous all over the region.
Photo Gallery:
Nanjundeshwara Temple
Front view of Rajagopura
Car Street near templeInformation Courtesy:Wikipedia
