Harihar

Harihar (or Hari-hara) is a syncretic deity in Hinduism, combining the two major gods Vishnu(Hari) and Shiva (Hara). Images of Harihara (also known as Sambhu-Visnu and Sankara-Narayana, variants of the names of the two gods) began to appear in the classical period after sectarian movements, which elevated one god as supreme over the others, had waned sufficiently for efforts at compromise to be attempted. The region of Harihara had been under the control of the Hoysalas from the 11th to 13th centuries AD.

There is a famous temple built in the 12th century during Hoysala's time called Harihareshwara temple (Guharanya Kshetra) – from which the city gets its name – which is also known as "Dakshina Kashi".

The god Harihareshwara is a combination of the gods Shiva and Vishnu. There is a story behind the avatar of this god. In ancient days this place was known as "Guharanya", a dense jungle and habitat of a demon Guhasura. He had a gift that no human or Rakshasa or god can kill him. And he started harassing people around this place. Then Vishnu and Shiva came together in a new avatara called Hari – Hara (Harihara) – and killed demon Guhasura. That is how this place got the name Harihar. Every year the Car festival is celebrated. Harihar also has a famous Ragavendra Mutt located on the banks of Tungabandra.

As Harihara is geographically located in the center of Karnataka, it was proposed to be made the capital of the state, but Bangalore was chosen instead.

Harihar serves as a major industrial base also. It was served by the Kirloskar industry and at present Aditya Birla Group's Grasim Industries, Synthite, Shamanur Sugar's, Cargill and more. Kirloskar Engineering company has closed down in 2001, resulting in a loss of nearly 15,000 jobs.

Harihareshwara Temple at Harihar

Harihar is popular for temples.

• Harihareshwara Temple
• Sri Parvathi Temple at the temple premises.
• Omkar Math: Shri Math has its building or boundary to the south of Shri Harihareshwara Temple on the banks of the holy river Tungabhadra. By the influence of Shri. Adi Shankar on the universal thought of Advaita, Shri Shivananda Teertha established Omkar Math with the co-operation of local devotes on 28 March 1941 where in Sri Sharadambha, Sri Dattatreya and Sri Adi Shankara on the idols of Sri Math. Swami Sri Shivananda Teertha trust is being established to keep the activities of Sri Math alive and jubilant. For more information visit the website.[2]
• Banashankari Temple on the Banks of Tungabhadra.
• Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple in Temple Street.
• Jai Hanuman Temple opp. Old Shoba Talkies.
• Rama Mandhira in Rajaram Colony and Narayana Ashrama on harihara-Hosapete highway.
• Raghavendra Swamy temple (popularly known as Raayara Matha)
• Ayyappa Temple other side of the river.
• Rajanahalli Hanumappa temple (Hanuman temple in Rajanahalli, around 6 km from Harihar on bypass highway)
• Grama Devata temple
• Maargadha Durgamma temple (towards Ranibennur on NH4, around 3 km)
• Kumaranahalli Sri Ranganatha temple and Sri Ranganatha Ashram built by Swamy Shankaralinga Bhagavan (towards Malebennur, around 20 km) www.shankaralingabhagavan.org/komaranahalli.html
• Sri Kalika Devi Temple
• Mother Mary's Church (Shrine Our Lady of Health)
• Hazarat Chaman Shah Wali Dargha at Bathi Sharief, 6 km towards Davangere
• Hazarat Naadband Shah wali baba Dargha
• Hazarat Ahmed Shah Wali Mahmood Shah Wali Dargha
• Kondajji situated a few kilometers from Harihar is a picnic spot. It is also a major Scouts and Guides camp. It has a lake, where boating is available and hills.
• Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary around 20 km

• Sri Shaila College of Education
• Sri Nandeswara Rural College of Education
• Vidyadayani College of Education

• Baba Saheb Ambedker Centenary College
• Government First Grade College
• S.J.V.P. College
• St. Aloysius College, Harihar
• Smt. Giriyamma R. Kantappashresti First Grade Women's College
• Sri Beeralingeshwara First Grade College
• Vidyadayani First Grade College

• MKET's Kirloskar Independent Pre University College
• St. Aloysius PU College, Harihar
• Smt Ŕádhá Bai D Gopala Rao Pre University College
• Smt Zulekhabi Havanur Independent Pre University College, Director Mohammed Fayaz M H, Contact No : 8904508821.

• MKET's Lakshman Rao Kirloskar School affiliated to CBSE(New Delhi)
• Vidyadayini School (Affiliated to CBSE (New Delhi)

• Aditya Birla (Pre-nursery to High school)
• Bapuji (Pre-nursery to High school)
• MRB & Eshwari (Pre-nursery to High school)
• Maria Nivas (Pre-Nursery to High School)
• St. Mary's Convent (Pre-nursery to High School)
• Ambedekar school
• Amrutha Varshini school
• Anjuman e Islamiya High school Harihar
• SJVP groups (PUC to MBA, BEd., DEd.)
• Sri Kalidasa Education Trust, Primary & High School
• MKET's Lakshman Rao Kirloskar High School

Education has mainly been dominated by the Mysore Kirloskar Education Trust, Vidyadayini School, and Sri Shaila Jagadguru Vagish Panditaradhya (SJVP) group of schools and colleges. Every year when 10th (SSLC) and 12th (PUC) results are announced most of the top ranked students will be from the Vidyadayini School /Smt Radha Bai D Gopala Rao PU College, MKET schools/ colleges, St. Mary's School, or Birla Schools or Colleges, generating competition among these schools which generates greater efforts on the part of the students.

Harihara also has one ITI college which provides industrial training in carpentery, fittings and joints, electrical, and turners.

SJVP College is another longstanding school in Harihar which provides education for both boys & girls, from school through degree level, in science, arts and commerce at the PUC level and for BS, BA, BCom, MS, MA, MCom, BEd, MEd, and TCH at the degree level.

Apart from the above-mentioned schools and colleges, many new ones are opening. There is a plan to open an orphanage at the St. Aloysius group of Institutions.

Harihar lacks an engineering college; only a Government Polytechnic Diploma Institution. Presently students of Harihara have to travel 14 kilometers to Davanagere or 28 kilometers to Ranibennur to study engineering. The government of Karnataka is planning on opening an engineering school in Harihara.

Harihara is located at 14.52°N 75.8°E / 14.52; 75.8.[3] It has an average elevation of 540 metres (1771 feet).

As of 2011 India census,[4] Harihar had a population of 85,000. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. In Harihar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Kannada is the official and most spoken language.

Situated exactly in the middle of Karnataka, Harihar has a good connectivity with the South and North of Karnataka.

• Defiling of Tungabhadra continues in Harihar