Davangere Harihar Harihareshwara Temple is situated in the heart of Harihar town, about 18 kilometers from Davanagere in Karnataka. The sacred Tungabhadra River flows alongside this holy place, adding to its spiritual significance. The temple was built in 1223–1224 CE by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II.
Story of Harihar Harihareshwara Temple
According to Hindu scriptures, the sacred grounds of the
modern-day Harihareshwara Temple in Davanagere were once terrorized by a
formidable demon named Guhasura.
Through intense penance and unwavering devotion, Guhasura
successfully pleased Lord Brahma and secured a highly specific boon: neither Hari
(Vishnu) nor Hara (Shiva) could kill him individually. Protected by this divine
loophole, the demon unleashed a reign of terror, relentlessly tormenting both
gods and mortals.
Realizing that neither could defeat the demon alone, Vishnu
and Shiva fused their cosmic energies into a single, magnificent
avatar—Harihara. This ultimate synthesis of preservation and destruction
descended to Earth at Kudalur, the sacred confluence of the Tungabhadra and
Haridra rivers, where they successfully vanquished Guhasura and restored cosmic
balance.
Unique Idol of Shri Harihareshwara Swamy
The main idol of Shri Harihareshwara Swamy is unique and
deeply symbolic, representing a divine fusion of Mahadeva Shiva and Bhagavan
Vishnu. On the right half of the deity’s head are features associated with Mahadeva
Shiva — the crescent moon, the river Ganga, and matted locks (jata). Below
these, on the forehead, sacred Saligrama markings can be seen. On the left side
of the head are symbols associated with Bhagavan Vishnu, including the crown
and the sacred Srivatsa mark. The deity is also adorned with a garland of
skulls (Runda Mala), the Vaijayanti garland, and serpent ornaments worn as the
sacred thread (Yajnopavita).
In the deity’s right hands are the Trishula (trident) and
the Abhaya Hasta (gesture of protection and blessing), while the left hands
hold the Shankha (conch) and Chakra (discus). The form in which the Lord
embodies both Shiva and Vishnu is exceptionally rare and spiritually profound.
To the right side of the deity are idols of Parvati and
Ganesha, while Lakshmi and Sage Rishyashringa are positioned on the left side.
On the right side of the Shri Harihareshwara Swamy temple
stands the shrine of Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that the approximately
one-and-a-half-foot-tall eight-armed idol of Lakshmi was consecrated during the
Peshwa period by a Subedar named Lakshmana Hari. Upon the pedestal is an
Amruta-shila (sacred stone) idol of Mahishasura Mardini.
The sacred Tungabhadra River flowing through this holy
kshetra (pilgrimage site) is believed to possess immense spiritual power. It is
said that any person who bathes in this river and performs rituals such as Tila
Tarpana and Pinda Pradana for their ancestors helps liberate generations of
their forefathers. Bathing in these holy waters is also believed to cleanse one
of all sins and grant spiritual purification.