Nanjangud

Nanjangud ( Kannada: ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ) 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 as "Dakshina Kashi" (southern Kashi). This city is also famous for a variety of banana grown in the region, the Nanjanagoodu rasabale.

Origin of the name

The Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu supreme deity Shiva, also called Sri Nanjundeshwara, ("The Lord who drank poison") to save the earth. In Hindu mythology, the Gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the ambrosia. During this churning, poison emanated first, followed by ambrosia. To prevent the poison from spreading across the universe, Shiva drank it. His consort Parvati then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body. The poison remained in his throat, making it blue in colour. For this reason, Shiva is also called Neelakantha, or "the blue-throated one". Nanjanagud literally means "the place where Nanja (Nanjundeshwara) resides" in Kannada - Nanja is a short form of Nanjunda(Najannu unDava - one who drank poison), or "home of Nanja (Nanjundeshwara)". Srikanteshwara translates to Sri meaning auspicious, Kanta meaning throat and Eshwara meaning Shiva.