Sri Nimishambha Temple

Introduction to Sri Nimishambha Temple

Karnataka district is famous for its many ancient and modern temples. Sri Nimishambha Temple is one such temple located on the banks of the Cauvery river. It is a few kilometers away from Srirangapatna, Karnataka. The temple falls under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department, HR&CE of the Karnataka State. The presiding deity of the temple is Parvati.

Legend of Sri Nimishambha Temple

The Brahmanda Purana describes an interesting legend associated with Sri Nimishambha Temple. It happened during the time of Samudra Manthan. When the Devas consumed Amrit, the demons were angry for being denied their share, as per the agreement between them. Janumandala was a demon who had performed severe penance for several years and was blessed with a boon from Brahma that he could not be destroyed by any immovable or movable creatures who were progenies. After earning the boon, he started torturing the Devas, who complained to Sri Parameshwara (Shiva).

Shiva directed Muktha Rishi to perform a Poundarika Yagna to please Parashakthi. Muktha Rishi was the divine child of Sage Sumanaksha and Susheela. He was a boon from Shiva, who gifted one of his pearls to the Sage Sumanaksha and Susheela. When the latter wore this pearl, she conceived a son named Muktha. 'Muktha' means 'pearl'. Thus, Muktha Rishi was born by the power of the pearl.

Muktha Rishi started his penance in the forest of Savana. Sage Gowthama, Sage Vishwamitra, and Sage Kaushika participated in his Yagna, which continued for 12 years. But no result was seen.

Sage Muktha Rishi was fed up and decided to sacrifice himself. When he was about to chop off his head, Parashakthi appeared in front of him and prevented the sacrifice. As the deity appeared within a minute, the sage called her Nimishamba. 'Nimisha' means 'a minute', and Amba is the name of Parvati.

Since Parashakthi was born in Janumandala's progeny, she did not have the power to kill him. However, she wanted to help Muktha Rishi. So, she created a boy out of an atom named Sashibindu. She conferred the power to destroy the demon upon him. Thus, Sashibindu killed Janumandala after a bloody battle.

The Architecture of Sri Nimishambha Temple

It is said that during 1610 - 1638 AD, King Raja Wodeyar of Mysore built this temple for Shri Nimishamba in Srirangapatna. The Rajagopuram at the entrance is a grand, seven-storied tower. On the right side of the entrance, Nimishambha sanctum is located. Adorned with glittering jewels and garlands, the main deity blesses all her devotees. Devotees can worship a Srichakra in front of Nimishambha. Shiva has a separate sanctum adjoining the main deity. He is also called Aksheeswara in Sri Nimishambha Temple. He blesses his devotees in the form of a small Lingam, and his vehicle Nandi is also a small-sized one. Lakshmi Narayana also has a separate sanctum to the left of Shiva's sanctum. The three sanctums form a straight row. There is a vast space for circumambulation outside the Praharam. Devotees can worship Hanuman, Ganesha, and Surya Dev on the outer Praharams.

Festivals of Sri Nimishambha Temple

Nimishambha Jayanthi is celebrated grandly as the main festival in the temple on Vaishakashuddha Dasami by the Somvamsha Arya Kshatriyas. Vasavamba Jayanthi is another celebration by the Arya Vyshyas. Varamahalakshmi festival and Durgashtami during Dussera are well-celebrated here. Special Poojas take place here on full moon days at the Sri Nimishambha Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping in Sri Nimishambha Temple

When devotees worship Shri Nimishamba with complete faith, she is known to fulfill their wishes and resolve their problems quickly. Devotees who experience delayed marriages often get married soon after they worship in Sri Nimishambha Temple.