Nuggikeri Hanuman Temple

Nuggikeri Hanuman Temple is among the oldest and most popular Hindu temples of Dharwad in Karnataka, on the airport road. Lord Hanuman is the presiding deity, and the complex also has Rama, Shiva, Saraswathi, Durga, Santoshimata, Venugopala Swamy and Jagannath. The installation of the deity is credited to Sri Vyasatirtha, chief saint at the court of Krishnadevaraya of Hampi.

Management passed in the 18th century to the Nuggikeri Desai family, Deshastha Brahmins from Indapur whose founder, Nilerao, fought in the Maratha army at the Battle of Palkhed. The second Konkanastha Peshwa gave them the charge, and three branches of the family still take turns under a yearly rotation called paryaya. Devotees come from Dharwad, neighbouring districts and Maharashtra. Saturdays bring thousands, and Hanuman Jayanti, on Chaitra Suddha Poornima, is marked with a Ratha Mahotsav.