Sri Nambinarayana Temple Thondanur
About Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
The Nambi Narayana temple located in Thannur village of Mandya district. The temple is very old has a history of 1000 years. The idol of the temple is believed to be of 5500 years old (Dwapara yuga). It is believed to one of the Pancha Narayan kshetra where Lord Indra got relieved from his Bhramhatya dosha.
History of Nambi Narayana Temple
The Nambi Narayana temple was believed to be constructed during the 12th century. The temple is 1000years old and it was built by Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana. There is a belief that the temple was built after defeating Cholas in Talakadu. Sri Ramanujacharya (Vaishnava saint) came to this place from Srirangam was welcomed by his disciple named Nambi. The saint Ramanujacharya cured the Jain king Bittidevas daughter from savior illness. The king influenced by Vaishnavism and converted into Vaishnava later, he becomes famous as King Vishnuvardhana.
During the period of Sri Ramanajucharya Thannuru was the second virtual capital of the Hoysala Dynasty.The king Vishnuvardhana constructed the Nambi Narayana temple in traditional style.
He also constructed different avatars of Vishnu as
- Sri Vijaya Narayana (Chenna keshava) – Belur
- Sri Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur/ Thennur
- Sri Veera Narayana Temple – Gadag
- Sri Thirunarayana (Cheluvanarayana ) – Melkote
- Sri Keerthi Narayana Temple – Thalakadu
Mythology of Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
- Story of Lord Indra
During Dwapara Yuga in the war of devas(God) and rakshasa(devil) Lord Indra killed the Vritra from his Vajrayuda. Since Vritra was the son of Brahmin Indra has to face Bhramhahatya dosha for killing him.To get relive from this dosha he visited and prayed Lord Vishnu at Pancha Narayana places. One of the Pancha Narayana kshetra is Nambi Narayana of thannur. Hence this place is believed to be very holy.
- Story of King Bittideva
There is a legend regarding the construction of Vishnu temples during the Hoysala period. When great saint Ramanjucharya visited this palace the Jain king Bittidevas daughter was possessed by Ghost. Ramanjuchargya cured his daughter by praying to Lord Vishnu. The king was happy that his daughter get well and he accepted Vaishnavism and constructed Vishnu temples in Thannur, Melukote, and Belur.
Architecture of Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
The temple is a reflection of the architecture of the Belur and Halebid temple. The temple has Navaranga, Maharana mandapa, Ardha mandapa,Shukanasi, Garbha Gudi and large Paataalankana. there are 50pillers in Maharangamantapa.40 octagonal pillars in Paataalankana, the idol in the Garbhagudi is called Moolayar /Lakshminarayana/Nambinarayana.the idol facing eastwards the goddess in the temple is called as Aravinda Nayaki Thayer.The temple has a procession idol if Lakshmi Narayana and Bhoodevi.
The idol of the Nambi Narayana is in “Samasrayana pose”.The diet is in the standing pose holding shaku on the right side and chakra on the left side. It is observed that it one of the different forms of Vishnu idol since in general Vishnu idol has shanks on the left side and chakra on the right side.
The Garudakambha in Nambi Narayana temple has 45 feet height. Thespecialty of the Garudakambha is it looks like located exactly at the edge of the temple when you see it from outside.it looks like at the middle of the temple when u see it from inside the temple. This shows the mystery of the temple architecture.
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Timings
Mon – Sun : 05.00 AM to 06.00 PM
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Entry Fees
Free
Best time to Visit Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
October to February
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Website
No official website
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Email
No official email
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Phone Number
No Contact Number
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Address
Nambi Narayana Temple
Sanaba, Pandavapura,
Mandya -571434
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Accommodation
There is no accommodation available at Thonnur Lake. There are hotels available in Srirangapatana located at a distance of 22 kms. The list of hotels situated in Srirangapatana are as follows.
- Hotel Mayura Riverview
- HM Resort
- Krupanjali Comforts
- Young Island Resorts
- Amblee Holiday Resort
- Hotel Nandini Ganjam
Places near Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
Thonnur Lake – 1.3 Kms
Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple – 650 Mts
Venugopalaswamy Temple – 300 Mts
Srinivasa Temple – 900 mts
Daria Daulat Bagh – 19.3 Kms
Kshanambika Temple – 19.5 Kms
Gumbaz – 21.7 Kms
Jumma Masjid – 19.3 kms
Karighatta – 21.4 Kms
Nimishamba Temple – 22 Kms
Ranganathaswamy Temple – 20.7 kms
Kunti Betta – 12.2 Kms
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – 26 Kms
Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur Distance
From Bangalore – 135 kilometres
From Mysore – 38 kilometres
From Srirangapatna – 21 kilometres
From Pandavapura Railway Station – 10 kilometres
How to reach Nambi Narayana Temple – Thondanur
KSRTC (Bus)
KSRTC and Private Buses are available from Bangalore to Srirangpatana(fare: ₹110/-)
from there you can reach Thonnur lake by boarding (Srirangapatna – Melukote) or (Srirangapatna –Pandavapura) KSRTC or Private Bus.
ISRTC(Train)
Express train is available to Pandavapura from Mysore & Bangalore (fare: ₹60/- or ₹45/-),
From Pandavapura railway station shared autos and buses are available to Thonnur Lake. (fare: ₹30/- to ₹50/-).
NOTE – Please do contact Indian Railways (IRCTC) for better clarity on train timings & updated Pricing
Air
Air Nearest Mysore airport (Domestic Airport) is 49 kilometres from temple. Drive time approximately 1 hour – 1 hour 30 min
Bike / Car
Bangalore to Mysore
Majestic (Kempe Gowda bus station) – Nayandahalli – Bidadi – Kengeri – Ramanagara – Channapattana – Madduru- Mandya- Pandavapura – Temple-