Nanjangud officially known as Nanjanagudu is a City and Taluk 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 .KSRTC Buses, Private Buses and Trains ply regularly from Mysore City. It is 163 kms away from Bangalore. Nanjangud is famous for Srikanteshwara / Nanjundeshwara Temple.
The Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva described as Nanjundeshwara. Nanjunda means one who has consumed poison and this legend relates to the churning of the ocean when Shiva had to consume haalahala. Nanjunda became Visha kanta and also Srikanta for having digested it. Hence the deity is also known as Srikanteshwara, one cures diseases . 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. The Wodeyar kings of Mysore made various grants to renovate the temple.
The "Dodda Jaathre" festival at Nanjangud by temple attracts thousands of devotees. The festivities in the fair includes five colorful chariots that are pulled by devotees on a path called the ratha beedi.
