Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar, Karnataka

Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar, Karnataka

Harihareshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the combined form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva located in Harihar Town in Harihar Taluk of Davangere District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated on the banks of the of Tungabhadra river. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. Harihara is also known as Dakshina Kashi and Industrial Hub of central Karnataka. The hills of Harihareshwar, Pushpadri, Harishinachal and Bramhadri surround this place.

Legends

As per legend, once a demon named Guhasura lived in the region. He performed severe penance invoking Lord Brahma. He successfully pleased Lord Brahma with his penance and obtained a boon that neither Lord Vishnu nor Lord Shiva could destroy him single-handedly which made him almost invincible. He started harassing the celestial beings, sages and the humans.

Lord Brahma requested Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu to end his cruelties. As per the request of Lord Brahma and his boon, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu took a combined form namely Harihara (Half Vishnu & Half Shiva), came down to earth and killed the demon. The demon requested Lord Harihara before his death that the place to be named after him.

Hence, the place came to be called as Guharanya Kshetra. The descent of the incarnation on earth is said to have happened at nearby Kudalur, at the confluence of the rivers Tungabhadra and Haridra. There are some impressions on the rock which local people point out as the footprints of Lord Harihara.

History

The Temple was built in 1224 CE by Polava Deva, a commander and minister of the King Vira Narasimha II of Hoysala Dynasty. Soma, a commander of King Narasimha III of Hoysala Dynasty renovated and added some structures in 1268 CE. The temple was renovated extensively during the Vijayanagara period. The temple suffered destruction during Muslim rule. The roof of the temple was utilized to build a mosque. Tipu Sultan plundered the temple and damaged most of its sculptures. He also converted a portion of the temple into a mosque. Harihara is also known as Guharanya Kshetra or Dakshina Kashi.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/07/harihareshwara-temple-harihar-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Harihar Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Harihar Railway Station, 15 Kms from Davanagere, 25 Kms from Ranebennur, 136 Kms from Hubli Airport and 281 Kms from Bengaluru. Harihar is situated between Davanagere and Ranebennur on the National Highway 48 (Pune- Bangalore). Harihar is well connected with most of the major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Bellary and Chennai through regular trains.

Location | Photos