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An ancient town situated on the right bank
of the great Tungabhadra river. A dip into the cool waters here is said to
absolve one of all the sins possibly because of the association that this
river has with Lord Vishnu. One can see the god's footprints at this
confluence of the Tungabhadra and the Haridra.
Legend
One legend has it that the demon Hiranvaksha seized the earth and bore it
away to the nether world. Lord took the form of a boar and entered the
lower world, destroyed the demon and got the earth back.
The exertion is said to have resulted in profuse perspiration that flowed
from the tusks of a boar and formed the two rivers, Tunga from the left
trunk and Bhadra from the right.
According to another belief, a demon named Gulhasura who lived here
managed to please the gods, 'Hari' and 'Hara' by his penance and obtained
a boon from them by which he could not be killed by either of them.
He was finally killed when the two appeared in the composite incarnation
of Harihara (Hari + Hara). This episode is supposed to have lent the name
to this place.
Harihareshwara Temple
The famous Harihareshwara temple here. Built in the Hoysala style in 1223
AD, the image of Harihara stands 4 feet tall with its left portion
representing Lord Vishnu and the right Shiva scrutinizing the fine
scrollwork on the friezes.
The high standard of the Hoysala artists is evident in the microscopic
Goddess Lakshmi represented on the lintel of the doorway. The lotus
flowers in her hands, the elephant by her side so delicate, so distinct.