Nimishamba Temple, Srirangapatna

The Nimishamba temple stands on a rise above the Kaveri about 2 km east of Srirangapatna bus stand, beyond Tipu's summer palace on the road to Sangam. The goddess Nimishamba, a form of Parvati, takes her name from the belief that she removes devotees' troubles within a nimisha, a minute; legend says she came to the aid of King Muktharaja against demons as swiftly. The temple is thought to date from Wodeyar times, some 300 to 400 years ago.

It is a small, east-facing shrine with a seven-tiered rajagopuram and stone steps down to the river. Three sanctums stand in a row: the goddess, decked in jewels and red roses with a Sri Chakra before her; a small linga of Shiva as Aksheeswara; and Lakshminarayana. The priest rings a large brass bell after placing food on the bali peetam, and crows come down in order to eat it. The temple is open from 6 am to 8.30 pm, with special pujas on full-moon days and major festivals.