Nanjundeshwara - Shiva series

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Nanjundeshwara temple is one of the ancient temple of lord Shiva. This temple is in Nanjangud, Mysore District , Karnataka. This temple is located on the banks of River Kapila. The deity is also known by the name Lord Kantheswara. The other name of this temple is Sri Kantheswara Temple. Nanjangud is also referred as Dakshina Kasi. It is also called as Parashurama Shetra. This temple is famous for its Chariot festival.

My first visit to the temple

 My first visit to Nanjangud Shiva temple was quite surprise to me. when I  had a plan to visit Mysore to receive  my All India Women Achievers  Awards -2021 (AIWAA) I knew this temple through one of my friend in Mysore. So I had a wonderful darshan of lord Nanjundeshwara in one beautiful morning.



Temple History

This temple was built in the heart of the town Nanjangud . While churning of the milky ocean  Lord Shiva who drank poison referred as Lord Nanjundeshwara as per mythological tradition .  It is considered that Cholas were built this temple in  11 -12th   century  A,D. with significant additions of Hoysala and Vijayanagara. Sixty three Nayanmars  images were  installed in 11th century. 





Significance of Nanjundeshwara Temple

Nanjangud shiva temple is one of the biggest temple and it derives the name from the presiding deity Nanjundeshwara.  The front tower of the temple is in   Dravidian style  Architecture. The gopura was built by Mummmadi Krishna Raja  Wodeyar in 1845. Many mandapas and  sub shrines were built by royal princesses. There are statues and metallic figures of Mummadi Krishna Raja  wodeyar and princesses.





This shiva shrine measures 385 ft / 160 ft and faces the east. There is a huge Nandi facing east, unlike other temples where Nandi faces Garbhagraha here it faces the entrance of the temple. The tall stone Nandi was built in 1644 by Dalavayi Vikramarya.


Gods  and Goddesses of the Temple

The sacred shrine having many sub shrines containing stone images of several Hindu gods and saints in the inner Prahara. Parvati the goddess of the temple has a separate shrine, Idol of Subramanya  seated on a peacock is in the northern corner.  He is holding a staff in one of the hands and sheltered by the seven hoods of a serpent. Apart from this there are shrines for Ganesha, Sharada, Nataraja, Navagraha etc.  Different  images of Shiva along  with saints which are said to be the 11th century Chola origin and they  were installed around the inner Prahara. The top parapet   around the main shrine having stucco figures which are embellished the shrine.







Srikantheshwara Temple Architecture

The Stucco figures of an  idol installed  in the parapet wall  having artistic appeal with  creative sense   and proper care 




There are stucco figures of Ganapathi, Bhairava, Subrahmanya, Dakshinamurthy etc on the Sala tower over mandapa.  The Stucco Sikhara of the main shrine belongs to Vijayanagara period.







Even though there were many architectural styles followed in various periods , overall the Dravidian style was followed. The  nine storied gopuram has a height of 120 ft having seven kalasas.
 







This temple reflects Cholas,  Gangas, Hoysalas  and wodeyars combinational style of architecture.





Significance of Stucco images

There are several gods and goddesses of stucco images outside the temple compound.  These images were built with brick and mortar.  The divine  stucco  images which were constructed with aesthetic and artistic approach belongs to Vijayanagara period. They are very divine and soulfully crafted.




It was a great visual treat for the devotees to see the most of the shiva forms in stucco images. some of the significant images which I took photographs are as follows,

Kalasamharamurthy

Markandeya was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Yama decided to take away the life of Markandeya at the age of sixteen. To save his bhaktha Markandeya from the wrath of Yama Lord Shiva manifests as Kalasamharamurthy.




Jalandharamurthy

Lord Shiva created Jalandhara from his third eye. when he had all powers he become asuric in nature and finally killed by Lord Shiva.


Thandaveshwaramurthy

  Shiva is a great dancer. He is performing cosmic dance. Under his feet Apasmara is there who is a personification of ignorance.



Kalyanasundaramurthy

Marriage scene of god Shiva and goddess Parvati was depicted. All god and goddesses attented the  wedding. Depicted Lord Vishnu who is a brother of goddess Parvati along with Tumburu a celestial musician and other Rishis. we will see the the image of Kalpavirksha tree in the background.



Kankalamuthi

He is associated with Bhairava who is a fearsome aspect of Shiva. He defeated vamana avatar of lord Vishnu. In south Indian  Shiva temple Kankalamurthi form is very famous.


Sharabheswaramurthy

To pacify lord Narashima Shiva took the avatar Sharabha . It is in the form of lion and bird combined partly. Some Agamas referred him as Akasha Bhairava.




Gajasamharamurthy

Lord Shiva took Gajasamhara form to kill  the mad elephant . Shiva teared the stomach of the elephant Gajasura. This depiction of samhara form is the most significant one and it shows the veera action of Shiva.






Lot and lot of sculptures to be explained. But due to time constrain I have taken limited photographs only.

I hope this article is quite interesting to read with lot of information.. Thank you for your valuable time to read my article.. Stay tuned..

Regards 
Artist Blogger
N. Usha Elangovan
M.Sc.,B.Ed., M.Music.,MFA







  




Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 19, 2022 at 3:04 AM

    Very interesting. Thanks for the informations.

    ReplyDelete

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