Nimishambha Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Mysuru Airport is about 20 km away and is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Srirangapatna railway station is about 2 km away and is the nearest railhead.

• By road

  Buses run from Mysore city to the temple, and autos are available from Srirangapatna. The temple is easily reached from the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway by local taxis and autos.

Why devotees come here

Nimishambha Temple stands on the northern bank of the Kaveri at Ganjam, a small town near the old Srirangapatna fort. It is a small shrine, and the river flows by below it. Devotees believe Nimishamba removes their troubles within a minute.

Devotees believe Nimishamba removes their troubles within a minute, and the temple's name reflects that belief. Nimisha means a minute, and Amba is another name for Parvati. Shiva is worshipped beside her as Aksheeswara, in a shrine next to hers.

Legend says Adishakti took many forms in a single instant to kill the demon Janumandala, at the request of the saint Mukthamuni. One account says Raja Wodeyar of Mysuru built the temple between 1610 and 1617. Another says it was probably built in the reign of Raja Wadiyar I, so the date is not settled.

The shrine is small and has a seven-tiered rajagopuram. It stands at a higher elevation on the bank of the Cauvery and faces east. The river flows by at a lower level. Steps cut into stone slabs lead down from the temple to the river Kaveri.

Festivals

• Vaishaka Shuddha Dasami, every yearNimishamba Jayanthi

  Celebrated by the Somavamsha Arya Kshatriyas.

• During NavaratriNavaratri

  Durga Homa and Chandika Homa are held, and special poojas are done on Vijayadashami.

• Shivaratri, Ugadi and DeepavaliShivaratri, Ugadi and Deepavali

  Special pooja is offered on these major festival days.

Tips for your visit

• The steps down to the Kaveri can be unsafe in monsoon, when the water level is high, so take care near the river.
• A large number of devotees visit on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Ganjam was once a thriving suburb of the historic Srirangapatna fort, and the temple is in Ganjam.

Questions people ask