Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud…. The popular Nanjundeshwara Temple which is also famously called as Srikanteshwara Temple or as Sri Kanta Maheswasra Temple is one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located in the town of Nanjanagudu in Karnataka, India. It is located on the right banks of the Holy Muni Kapila River, and due to that, this sacred temple is also known as “Dakshina Kashi” or “Kashi Viswanath Temple of South”.
Nanju means “poison”. Since Lord Shiva drank the dreaded Hala Hala poison in order to safeguard the entire universe from destruction, and hence the town has got its name as “Nanjanagudu” which means “the abode of Lord Shiva, the great Nanjundeshwara”.
During the time of churning of the divine milk ocean Vaikunta, when the divine serpent Vasuki released poisonous flames from his mouth, it is the great Lord Shiva, who eagerly swallowed it in order the safeguard the entire universe from destruction, and, since it was struck on his neck, he is also called as “NEELAKANDA”.
Lord Shiva is the one, who removes the evil spirits from our mind and body, and from his sacred ash we can understand, that one day or other day, our body would be burnt into ashes and nothing would come with us after our death. Lord Shiva being a simple god, who is also an efficient dancer, dances on the burial grounds along with the ghost assistants, and he is also called as “ISANYA”, who cheerfully does this kind of act, in order to pacify the departed souls whose body would be burnt in the burial grounds.
The temple’s Jathra festival attracts thousands of devotees. The festivities in the fair include five colourful chariots pulled by devotees on a path called the ratha beedi. Parasurama Temple is situated near Nanjundeshwara Temple.
Nanjungud is mentioned as Sri Amirthagud and as Sri Garalapuri, in the Shiva Purana. It is said that the legendary holy place is the abode of Shiva in southern India. It is also referred to as “Dakshina Kasi”, where the god appeared at the plea of his devotees, the Devas, and sage Narada. The demon Keshi obtained a boon from Brahma and Vishnu by which they would not be able to kill him. He assumed that with this boon, he was as good as immortal and began troubling the people, the Devas, and the sages. At last, Narada and the Devas pleaded with Shiva to save everyone. He appeared in Garalapuri Sri Kshetra (present Nanjungud) and killed Keshi. He further assured that his Ansh (a part of his divine self) would always remain here and bless humanity; the place henceforth would be a papa vinashini (‘remover of sins’). After bathing in the holy river of Kabini, every human praying to Lord Srikanteshwara or Nanjundeshwara (Shiva) of Nanjungud would be rid of sins and blessed by the god.
Sage Parashuram, after beheading his mother in order to clear off his sins, he reached Garalapuri (Nanjangud) and prayed to Sri Nanjundeshwara Swamy. Shiva appeared and advised him to build a mantapa and perform pooja to the Shivlinga. Parashuram’s axe accidently hit the Shivlinga, and hence the tip of the Shivlinga began to bleed. Sage Parashuram felt very guilty and he had tried to kill himself. Shiva appeared and blessed Sage Parashuram and told him to apply wet mud upon the Shivlinga (the mud of Sri Nanjangud has immense healing powers). The Shivlinga stopped bleeding. Lord Shiva advised Parashuram to build the mantapa and continue his penance. Finally, Sage Parashuram was relieved from all his sins and blessed with immortality. Once our holy mother Goddess Parvati, visited Nanjangud, and when she went to the Kabini River and bent down to touch the water, a gemstone bead (mani) fell off from her crown into the water. Lord Shiva was pleased and declared, “Devi, until now, the place had my divine blessings and presence; from this moment, it shall have your presence, grace and blessings, too. It shall also be called Dakshina Manikarnika Ghat”.
During the reign of King Tipu Sultan, his royal elephant became blind. As per the advice of his minister, Sri Poornayya, Tipu sent the elephant to the Nanjundeshwara Swamy Temple and performed 48 days of rituals. On the 48th day, the elephant’s vision was restored. Tipu Sultan offered the emerald green Shivlinga as a token of gratitude to Sri Nanjundeshwara Swamy and called Lord Shiva “Hakim Nanjunda” (healer)..
Songs in praise of Lord Sri Kanteswara are as follows: –
I offer my humble salutations to Lord Srikanteswara, who dwells on Mount Kailas
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is the god of the Vedas!
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara, Shivaya, who is very auspicious.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is our doctor, the great Vaidhyanatha.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who would protect us from dangerous animals and species like scorpions, snakes, tigers, and from our enemies and dreaded diseases.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara whose throat appears in blue colour due to the consumption of the terrible poison, “HALAHALA”, in order to protect the universe.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is the Lord of the universe, who has three eyes and who destroys Tripura, the three Asura cities.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who has golden arms, who is the leader of the ghosts, who is the Lord of the four directions.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who rides on the divine bull, who has the power to pierce all things, who is the husband of Ma Uma Devi.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who contains matted hair, who wears the sacred thread, who contains the Trishool, the Holy Trident on his hands.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who protects the world and relieves his devotees from sorrows and miseries.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is the creator of riches and lover of those who are devoted to Him.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who stands prominent, who is in the form of warrior who wanders day and night as a guardian god in order to protect us.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is in the form of Vishnu, Brahma and other deities.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is loudly praised by the scriptures.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who was before all things and who is the first and foremost.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is in in the form of the great waves and in the form of sky, fire, cloud and waters.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is praised by the Vedic Mantras and who is praised in the Puranas and Upanishads.
I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Srikanteswara who is the permanent source of happiness.
Who is in the earth and in the heavens, and he is available everywhere and anywhere, and he is apart from our imagination.
“OM SRI KANTA ESHWARAYA SARVESWARAYA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR