Nanjangud

Nanjangud is a town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Nanjangud lies on the banks of the river Kapila (Kabini), 23 km from the city of Mysore. Nanjangud is famous for Srikanteshwara Temple. Nanjangud is also called "Dakshina Kashi" (southern Kashi).This city is also famous for a variety of banana grown in the region, the Nanjanagoodu rasabale. Nanjangud has been a major Shaiva centre for nearly a thousand years. Chola Kings in the 11th – 12th century are considered to have set in motion the construction of the temple with significant additions by the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings.This temple was later renovated by the Hoysala kings. Both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan had close associations with this temple. The Wodeyar kings of Mysore made various grants to renovate the temple.

Nanjangud is rich in its heritage. It was ruled by the Gangas initially, then by the Hoysalas, and then by the Mysore Wodeyars. It is also said that both Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, the rulers of Sri Rangapattana had a very close association with Nanjangud. The town has derived its name from the presiding deity Lord Nanjundeshwara. The Nanjundeshwara Temple here is the abode of Shiva who consumed poison to protect life on earth, the poison here being the one that was churned out from the ocea