Origin of the name
The Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu supreme deity Shiva, also called Sri Nanjundeshwara, (The Lord who drank poison). Nanjanagud literally means "the place where Nanja (Nanjundeshwara) resides" in Kannada..[2][additional citation(s) needed]
History
Nanjangud has been a major Shaiva centre for nearly a thousand years. Chola Kings in the 11th - 12th century are considered to have built this temple with significant additions by the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings.[5] This temple was later renovated by the Hoysala kings. The Wodeyar kings of Mysore made various grants to renovate the temple.[citation needed]
The state general secretary in Karnataka of Hindu Mahasabha, Dharmendra, threatened to kill Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for the temple demolitions, resulting in his and several party officials' arrest.[6]