Harihar (Kannada: ಹರಿಹರ, Harihara, ) is a town located in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka. Harihar also spelled Hari-hara, in Hinduism, a syncretic deity, combining the two major gods, Vishnu (Hari) and Siva (Hara). Images of Harihara (also known as Sambhu-Visnu and Sankara-Narayana, variants of the names of the two gods) began to appear in the classicalperiod after sectarian movements, which elevated one god as supreme over the others, had waned sufficiently for efforts at compromise to be attempted..The region of Harihar had been under the control of the Hoysalas from 11th to 13th Century AD. Harihar is famous for a Harihareshwara temple, which is also known as "Dakshina Kashi".

Harihara is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, 275 kilometres north of Bangalore. The neighboring city Ranebennur is 22 km north west of Harihar across the river Tungabhadra. Harihar is connected by road and railway, and is located on national Highway 4 (Puna - Bangalore). It has a very pleasant climate through the year.

History

There is famous temple built in 12th century during Hoysala's time called Harihareshwara temple (Guharanya Kshetra), from which the city derives its name, which is also known as "Dakshina Kashi".

The god Harihareshwara is a combination of god Shiva and Vishnu. There is an interesting story behind avatara of this god. In ancient days this place was known as 'Guharanya'. A dense jungle and habitat of a demon Guhasura. He had a boon that no Human or Rakshasa or God can kill him. And he started harassing people around this place. Then Vishnu and Shiva came together in a new avatara called Hari – Hara (Harihara) and killed demon Guhasura. That is how this place has got the name Harihar. Every year the Car festival is celebrated. Harihar also has a famous Ragavendra Mutt located on the banks of Tungabandra.

The harihar serves as a major Industrial base also. It is servied by the famour Kirloskar Industry and at present Aditya Birla, Grasim, Synthite, Shamanur Sugar's and more. Kirloskar Engineering company has closed down, resulting in a loss of nearly 15,000 jobs. The major lifeline of this small town is the Tungabhadra river, which continues to be exploited and polluted as a result of heavy industrialization.

Attractions

Harihar is popular for temples.

• Harihareshwara Temple
• Sree Parvathi Temple at temple premises.
• Omkarmath right side of the Harihareshwara temple established by Sri Shivananda Theertha to teach Advaitha philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. Idols worshiped are Sharadambha, Dattatreya, Jagadugu Shankaracharya, Parama Guru Sri Padmanabha Teertha of Karwara & Guru Sri Shivananda Teertha. www.omkarmath.org
• Banashankari Temple on the Banks of Tungabhadra.
• Kannyaka Parameshwari Temple in Temple Street.
• Jai Hanuman Temple opp Old Shoba Talkies.
• Rama Mandhira in Rajaram Colony and Narayana Ashrama on harihara-Hosapete highway.
• Raghavendra Swamy temple (popularly known as Raayara Matha)
• Ayyappa temple other side of the river.
• Rajanahalli Hanumappa temple (Hanuman temple in Rajanahalli, around 6 km from Harihar on bypass highway)
• Graamadevata temple
• Maargadha Dhurgamma temple (towards ranibennur on NH4, around 3 km)
• Kumaranahalli Sri Ranganatha temple & Sri Ranganatha Ashram builted by Swamy Shankaralinga Bhagavan(towards Malebennur, around 20 km)
• Mother Mary's Church
• Hazrat naadband shaawali baba darga
• Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary around 20 km

Connectivity

Situated exactly in the middle of Karnataka, Harihar has a good connectivity from South and North.

BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Hubli 120 km from Harihar. From there one can take flights to Bangalore and Mumbai. The nearest international airport is 275 km away in Bangalore, from where one can take flights for most of the important cities in India.

BY RAIL - Harihar is connected with most of the metros like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai through regular trains. Harihar is a new railway junction which connects hospet and bellary via kottur. It will operate from march 2011.

BY ROAD - There is a good network of roads that connects Harihar to other important cities of the region.

• Buses : Being on National Highway NH4, the city enjoys a good connectedness. It is a 2.5 hrs drive from Hubli (131 km) and 5 hr drive from Bangalore (278 km). Most of the buses which ply from/to North Karnataka to/from South Karnataka (if not all) go via this place. The town is 14 km from Davanagere city, was earlier a part of Chitradurga district (78 km). This town is also near to Hampi, a historical place and Tungabhadra Dam, Hospet. Most of the buses plying from North Karnataka to Dharmasthala, Shimoga, Mysore go via Harihar. Other private travels include:
• Mahesh Travels
• Vijayanand Roadlines (VRL)
• Trains : Good train facility, again connecting Hubli - Bangalore route. Intercity express "Rani Chennamma Express" and Janashatabdi Express are the major trains which people here rely upon and commonly commute in. Other trains include Hubli-Bangalore Fast Passenger which is by all means the convenient train to go to Bangalore (departs from Harihar at 9:30pm, arrives at Bangalore at 6:10am) or to come to Harihar (departs from Bangalore at 10:00pm and arrives at Harihar at 5:30am). Another train which has come to light recently is the Dharwad-Mysore express train which departs from Harihar at 10:45pm.
• Train# 2079, 2080 : Janashatabdi express
• Train# 583 : UBL (Hubli Junction) to SBC (Bangalore city) Fast passenger
• Train# 586 : SBC (Bangalore city) to UBL (Hubli Junction) Fast passenger
• Intercity express Dhardwar to Bangalore, Bangalore to Dharwad.
• Dharwad Mysore Express
• Chalukya Express Bangalore to Mumbai and Back
• Sharavathi Express Mysore to Mumbai and Back
• Now another railway line is connecting to Hospet via Kottur. [In progress] Then Harihar will directly connect with Hospte, Ballary & Hydrabad.

Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport to Harihar is the Hubli Airport, which is 131 km from Harihar and one more mini airport is in Aditya Birla Company Harihar.

Photo Gallery:

Harihareshwara Temple mandapa at Harihar

Courtesy: Wikipedia