Some places allow themselves to be discovered casually. Others resist convenience and insist on intent. Nanjangud, also known as Kashi of the South or Dakshina Kashi, belongs firmly to the latter category. This historic temple town near Mysuru is known for the Srikanteshwara Temple, pilgrimage circuits, and cultural heritage.
Nanjangud or Nanjangud is a historic temple town in Karnataka, famous for the Srikanteshwara Temple. This post explores the spiritual significance of the area, the challenges of casual visits, and local culture like tooth powder and bananas. It also provides a practical two-day itinerary for a meaningful pilgrimage experience.
नंजनगूडू कर्नाटक का एक ऐतिहासिक शहर है, जो श्रीकांतेश्वर मंदिर के लिए प्रसिद्ध है। यह लेख इस आध्यात्मिक स्थल की महत्ता, यहाँ जाने की चुनौतियों और स्थानीय संस्कृति पर प्रकाश डालता है। साथ ही, एक सफल यात्रा के लिए एक व्यावहारिक दो-दिवसीय यात्रा योजना भी साझा करता है।
Introduction
Nanjangud is a historic temple town in Karnataka, India, known for its spiritual significance and the renowned Srikanteshwara (Nanjundeshwara) Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town requires deliberate intent to visit, as repeated casual attempts often end in missed darshan or viewing of the deity.
A Town That Tests Resolve Before Granting Darshan
Our introduction to this historic town was almost accidental. A couple of years ago, while planning a road trip from Bengaluru to Ootacamund (Ooty), several neighbours—old-timers who still treat pilgrimages with seriousness—strongly recommended that we stop at Nanjangud. At that point, I was largely unaware of the town’s significance. I only knew of one thing : the presence of an important Shiva mandir.
We treated it as a “maybe, if time permits” stop. That decision, in hindsight, set the tone for everything that followed.
Srikantheshwara Mandir, Nanjungud (image: wikimedia)
Four Attempts, No Darshan — Until the Pattern Became Impossible to Ignore
The first time, Bengaluru traffic delayed us far beyond expectation. By the time we were clear of the city, we had already lost the margin required for a meaningful temple visit. We decided—somewhat casually—that we would stop at Nanjangud on the return journey. That return never quite materialised.
Over the next two years, there were four separate instances where we planned to visit Nanjangud. Each time, something intervened. Timing. Fatigue. Crowds. Competing priorities. Darshan did not happen even once.
The most recent attempt was around January 14–15, while once again travelling towards the Ooty side. This time, the reason was unmistakable. It was Pongal / Makara Sankranti, and Nanjangud was overflowing with Ayyappa devotees. The town was vibrant, intense, and devotional—but logistically overwhelming. That visit finally drove home a simple truth: this is not a place you “adjust into” an itinerary.
At some point, repeated coincidence begins to feel like instruction. One could interpret it as inefficiency or poor planning. Or, if one is inclined, as Lord Shiva testing resolve—especially considering that the very first time, we consciously chose not to stop and seek blessings.
Either way, the message was clear. A visit to Nanjangud demands intention.
The Spiritual Core: Srikanteshwara Temple
At the heart of the town stands the Srikanteshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nanjundeshwara—the form of Shiva who consumed poison to save the cosmos. Often called Dakshina Kashi, this temple has drawn devotees for centuries and remains the primary reason pilgrims come to Nanjangud.
Architecturally grand, spiritually intense, and perpetually crowded, this is not a temple to be approached hurriedly. Darshan here works best early in the morning, before the town fully wakes up and before queues become unmanageable—especially on weekends and festival days.
The annual Dodda Jatre (Pancha Maha Rathotsava) at Srikanteshwara Temple features a grand procession with five massive chariots pulled by devotees using special ropes. It attracts over 5 lakh pilgrims and is a highlight of summer (typically March-April) .
Ayyappa Temple and the Reality of Pongal Crowds
Nanjangud’s Ayyappa Temple takes on special significance during Pongal / Makara Sankranti. Our January visit coincided exactly with this period, and the scale of devotion was impossible to miss. Large groups of Ayyappa devotees, many on extended pilgrimages, converge on the town, transforming both its spiritual and logistical landscape. It reinforces an essential planning truth: festival timing changes everything.
Datta Mandir, Parashuram, and Chamundi Mandirs
Beyond the main Shaiva and Ayyappa centres, Nanjangud also includes a Datta Mandir, adding a distinct spiritual layer for followers of the Dattatreya tradition.
Near the confluence of the Kapila and Gundlu rivers lies the Parashurama Kshetra. According to legend, Parashurama—the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu—performed penance here to atone for the sin of beheading his mother. The Sangam is believed to possess purifying spiritual power.
Equally important, though often overlooked, is the Chamundi Mandir in Nanjangud, dedicated to Devi Chamundi. This is separate from the Chamundi Hill temple in Mysuru, and also sees heavy crowds during festivals and auspicious days. Early morning darshan is strongly recommended for those seeking a quieter experience.
Hoysala Elegance and Modern Stewardship
A short distance from Nanjangud lie two important Vishnu temples that are often planned together.
Venugopalaswamy Temple, Hemmaragala
A serene temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, known for its calm atmosphere and devotional focus.
Venugopalaswami Mandir near Nanjungud
Lakshmikanteshwara (Lakshmikanteshwara) Temple, Hedathale
This temple is particularly noteworthy for two reasons:
- The cleanliness, order, and overall upkeep is a reflection of the maintenance by the TVS group.
- The presence of Andal (Andhal) adds deep Vaishnava significance.
The temple remains closed for long stretches of the day. Google Maps incorrectly suggests a 9:30 am opening, which can easily cause visitors to miss the main pooja—as we did. That missed darshan became part of the larger pattern. The mandir timings as on January 2026 are 7 AM-9:30 AM, 11 AM-1:30 PM, and 5:30 PM -8:30 PM.
Maintenance of Lakshmikantheshwara Mandir
Entrance and timings for Lakshmikanteshwara Mandir
Shri Sanathana Ganapati Gudi Mandir
This beautiful mandir in the serene settings in located very close to Nanjungud, we discovered it by accident. This mandir follows a Kerala-style architectural aesthetic and offers a notably peaceful environment, providing a contemplative contrast to the bustle of the main temple complex.
Grace Even Without the Main Darshan
Interestingly, although we missed darshan at the principal temples, we were not entirely turned away. On different visits:
- Lord Shiva gave darshan at another nearby temple.
- Lord Vishnu gave darshan at a different Vishnu shrine in the vicinity.
It almost felt like reassurance. As if the blessings were not denied—only deferred—nudging us gently toward planning a visit that was intentional, unrushed, and respectful of the town’s rhythm.
Location of Mandirs in Nanjungud area
Visual Walkthrough: Mandirs and Landscapes of Nanjangud
Beyond Temples: Nanjangud’s Hidden Gems and Nearby Attractions
Nanjangud Tooth Powder
I learned about the famous Nanjangud Tooth Powder through a conversation on Twitter (now X), not through a travel guide. Locally, it is more than a product— it is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation that gained popularity over time and became part of local identity and folklore The reverence with which residents speak of it is unmistakable. If you visit Nanjangud, it is genuinely worth trying. Not for novelty, but to experience something that belongs entirely to the place.
Nanjangud’s pink tooth powder was invented by Venkatasubramanya (B.V. Pundit) a century ago from rice husk ash, Sadvaidyasala still produces it.
Bananas of Nanjangud
The fertile river basin around Nanjangud has long supported banana cultivation. Over time, bananas have become inseparable from the town’s cultural imagery, featuring in conversation, commerce, and humour alike. They are locally known as Nanjungudu Rasabele (Nanjungud Banana in Kannada). Which makes the below closing phrase rather fitting. This highly aromatic local variety that has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
The banana cultivation is under threat from pests, soil-borne diseases, and Fusarium wilt. This variety once on the brink of extinction with cultivation limited to small areas like Devarasanahalli. However, as of 2026, revival efforts by horticulture departments, and the state government have expanded cultivation.
Nanjungud Bananas (image: wikimedia commons)
Also Read: Weekend Road Trip to Wellington and Connoor
Railway Bridge on Kapila River
A railway bridge across Kapila River, also known as Kabini Bridge,was built in 1735 by Dalvoy Devraj in Gothic style using brick, sand, and stone. It is 225m long with 56 piers. It’s India’s oldest bridge carrying both road and rail (metre-gauge line added in 1899/1902). This bridge has been declared a heritage monument.
In Closing: “Nanjangud Mein Kela Ho Gaya”
There is a Mumbai-Hindi phrase—“Nanjangud mein kela ho gaya”—loosely meaning “it turned into a flop show.” The irony is hard to miss, given Nanjangud’s association with bananas.
Yes, four attempts and no main darshan may look like a failure on paper. But perhaps that is precisely the point. Some places resist being ticked off a list. They demand time, resolve, and humility.
Nanjangud is not a stop to be squeezed into an itinerary; it requires dedicated planning. Next time, it will not be a can-do. It will be the destination. Nearby areas of Shivasamudra falls, Somnathpur and Bandipur add to the allure of this historical town near Mysuru.
Doing It Right: A Two-Day Plan from Bengaluru
A suggested two-day plan below includes an overnight in Mysuru, early morning darshan at Srikanteshwara Temple, and timely return to Bengaluru to avoid workweek disruption.
Day 1: Bengaluru → Mysuru (Overnight)
- Drive from Bengaluru to Mysuru.
- If visiting over the weekend, the Mysuru Palace illumination on Saturday or Sunday evening is well worth it.
- Optional visits:
- Brindavan / Vrindavan Gardens (both spellings are in common use)
- Bird or butterfly park or Car museum
- Overnight stay in Mysuru.
Day 2: Mysuru → Nanjangud → Bengaluru
- Start early from Mysuru.
- Aim for early-morning darshan at Srikanteshwara Temple.
- Cover additional temples based on crowd conditions.
- Wrap up by early afternoon.
- Return to Bengaluru by 5:00–6:30 PM
Return logic (important):
The goal should be to reach Bengaluru by around 5:00 pm, and no later than 6:30 pm on Sunday. Returning later—or stopping at Mysuru again—often disrupts the Monday workday. We have done that during Dasara, but it is not feasible for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Nanjangud
The best time to visit is October to March. Festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Dasara, and Pongal attract large crowds. Visitors seeking quieter darshan should avoid festival dates and arrive early in the morning.
For Further Reading about Dakshina Kashi
- Town, temples, and cultural context
- Nanjangud Tooth Powder & bananas
- Visitor overview and nearby attractions
This post titled “Mandirs of Nanjangud: Kashi of the South” was published under category “Travelbugs” and last updated January 22, 2026.