Talakadu
About Talakadu
Talakadu is a desert like town on the left bank of kaveri river. It is 133 kilometers from Bangalore District in Karnataka state, India. Talakadu town belongs to Mysore district. It is 45 kilometers from Mysore. It is believed that there are over 30 temples in Talakad but only a few temples can be seen, rest of the temples are buried under the sand.
Story of Talakadu
This is the story of twin brothers Tala and Kadu who were hunters, after whom this town was named. According to the legend, a sage by name Somadutta and his disciples were killed by wild elephant, when they were doing penance. They were reborn as elephants in their next birth.These elephant were offering prayers to a silk-cotton tree. Tala and Kadu happened to see, and out of curiosity axed the tree. When they were cutting the tree, they saw tree bleeding. They heard a voice asking them to take the leaves and fruits of the same tree and apply on the bleeding place. When they go closer to apply the medicine on the bleeding area, they see an image of Shiva bleeding. The tree restores miraculously. Later they come to know about the elephants, who were no other than the sages reborn. And later all of them attain Moksha. You can find the stone images representing the two brothers Tala and Kadu in front of Veerabhadra Swamy temple at Talakad.
History of Talakadu
The history of Talakadu dates back to 2nd-century AD and was ruled by a host of the dynasties. The Gangas ruled the place from 350 AD to 1050 AD. The Cholas ruled it in the 11th century. The Hoysalas took over, followed by the Vijayanagara Kings and finally the Wodeyars of Mysore.
Founder of the Wodeyar dynasty
Raja Wodeyar was the founder of ‘The Royal Wodeyar Dynasty of Mysore’. In 1610 the Vijayanagara empire was declining and Raja Wodeyar one of the chieftains was jostling for power. Tirumala Raya who was the viceroy of Vijayanagara held court at Srirangapatna and Raja Wodeyar was his vassel. Tirumala Raja was getting increasingly wary over his powerful feudatory. He invited all have Chieftains under his suzerainty to Srirangapatna for a Hindu festival Dussehra and plotted to put them to death. Unfortunately for Tirumala Raya, Raja Wadiyar discovered the plot and attack Srirangapatna and captured it overthrowing Tirumala Raya and establishing his rule. Tirumala fled to a village with his wife, Rani Alamelamma.
About Alamelamma and her jewels
Alamelamma had a large amount of precious jewelry, including a fine nose ring studded with a large pearl. Rani Alamelamma was a serious devotee of Sri Ranganatha and Sri Ranganayaki. She used to deliver all her jewels to embellish Sri Ranganayaki and then the jewels would be returned back to her after the celebration.
why did Alamelamma stop giving jewels to the temple
Rangaraya was affected by an incurable disease. As per his Raja vaidhya (physician) advice, he went to Talakadu. He had to take bath in the river Kaveri every day and offer prayers to Lord Vaidyanatheshwara at Talakad for a week, but on the fourth day he dies. Alamelammas family diety was ‘Ranganayaki’ and she was a staunch devotee of Ranganayaki. She gave her jewellery to the temple on every Tuesday and Friday to embellish the God with it. She being infuriated with her family deity Ranganayaki for not saving her husband, stopped giving her jewellery.
Raja Wodeyars revenge
Raja Wodeyars wanted to take revenge against Tirumala Raya. The Raja order to confiscate Tirumala’s property. Rani Alamelamma had brought with her all her jewellery which she would lend to Sri Ranganath Swamy temple at Srirangapatna. To reclaim these jewels, Raja Wadiyar sent his soldiers to Talakadu. The soldiers arrived at the residence of Rani Alamelamma, widow of Tirumala Raya at Talakad. The Rani was taken by surprise. She put all the ornaments she could find in a chest and made a secret exit from the palace. When the soldiers barged into her apartment, found that Rani had escaped. They saw the Rani climbing a cliff that overlooked the torrents of river Kaveri. She cried to the troop in loud voice ‘go tell your Viceroy that in life you vanquished us but not in death’, honor is more important than life. With folded hands and closed eyes, she offered her last prayers to Lord Ranganatha saying ‘ o lord if I have been ever sincere to you as a devotee and loyal to my husband, Grand my last wish that would be a curse for the arrogant Viceroy of Srirangapatna’.
Alamallamma three-fold curse
- ‘Talakadu Maralagali’ – May Talakadu be filled with sand
- ‘Malangi Maduvaagali’ – Let Malangi turn into a whirlpool
- ‘Mysore Dhoregalige Makkalagade Hogali’ – May the king of Mysore be Heirless
Why did Alamellamma Curse
The widow of Tirumala Raya, Alamelamma runs to escape from the pursuing soldiers of Raja Wadiyar. As they were on the horseback it was making it difficult for her to escape. She prays to Lord Ranganatha for help and gives the first Curse ‘Talakadu Maralagali’ so that the soldiers will not be able to follow her on the sand (now there is 1600 acres of land covered by sand). She further runs to the village nearby called Malangi which was her birthplace. Crossing river Kaveri she gives the second curse ‘Malangi Maduvaagali’ (the river turn into a whirlpool, she did not want her jewels or her body to be found after death). She gives out her third curse ‘Mysore Dhoregalige Makkalagade Hogali’ and jumps into the river Kaveri. All the three causes were given because of Raja Wadiyar arrogance.
Pancha Linga temple of Talakadu
The temple is in three clusters (groups)
Cluster 1 –
- Vaidyanatheshwara temple,
- Veerabhadra Swamy temple,
- Pataleshwar temple,
- Maruleshwara temple &
- Keerthi Narayana temple
Cluster 2 –
- Mudukutore Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple
Cluster 3 –
- Sri Arkeshwara Swamy Temple
Pancha Linga Temple
- Vaidyanatheshwara temple
- Pataleshwar temple
- Maruleshwara temple
- Mudukutore Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple &
- Sri Arkeshwara Swamy Temple
Pancha linga Darshana
Talakad is well known for the ‘Pancha linga Darshana’, Which happens once in 12 years. In the past all these temples were hidden under the sand. The 5 temples are thought to represent five different faces or Avatar of Lord Shiva. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is incharge of maintenance of these temples. They are trying to remove the sand from the temple to keep it approachable all around the year.
About the Pancha linga temples
Cluster 1
The first temple to be visited in Talakadu is Vaidyanatheshwara temple. Veerabhadra Swamy temple is adjacent to it. Walking 400 metres from here on soft sand you reach Pataleshwar temple. Another 400 metres from here is Maruleshwara temple. Keerthi Narayana temple is around 500 metres from here. This completes the visit of cluster 1. Out of five Shiva lingas three are here.
Cluster 2
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple – This temple is one of the ‘Pancha Linga temples’ located in a village ‘Mudukutore’ near Talakadu. The temple is located on a hill and can be accessed by a pathway of covered steps leading up. There are around 250 Steps from the base. Vehicles can go up to a certain distance and you need to climb hundred steps from their. The scene from the top is mesmerizing
Cluster 3
Sri Arkeshwara Swamy Temple – This temple is located on the way from Talakadu to Shivanasamudra in a small village ‘Vijayapura’. it is around 15 to 20 kilometres from Talakadu. The temple is isolated but nice.
River Kaveri at Talakadu
It is one of the picnic spot. People come here to enjoy and play in water with family and friends. Except during the rainy season (June to September) the water is shallow and safe to play. The locals give coracle rides. You can take coracle(theppa) ride at ₹300 to visit Malangi which takes 1 hour from Talakadu. There are small shops on the sand selling eatables. They serve breakfast from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock, lunch from one o’clock till 3 o’clock and evening snacks are available as well,
Note – You get to taste variety of Veg and Non-Veg dishes (Fish & Chicken) from Morning till Evening
Talakadu Temple Timings
Temple Opening: 9:00 a.m.
Temple closing: 5:30 p.m.
Talakadu Entry Fees
Entry Tickets – Entry Free
Local Guide – ₹150 – ₹300
Coracle Ride – ₹300
Best Time to Visit Talakadu
Temple
Best time to visit June to February,
In Summer March to May the temperature soars high, sand gets heated.
Cauvery River (Picnic)
Best time to visit October to May
Note – During Rainy season June to September it is not Safe
Talakadu Temple Website
There is no official website for Talakad.
Talakadu Email
No official email address
Talakadu Temple Phone Number
No Contact Number
Talakadu Temple Address
Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Temple
Talakadu,
Karnataka 571122
Talakadu Accommodation
There is no good accommodation near the temple . You might have to travel around 5-10 Kms to find a few good Resorts or travel to Mysore approximately 45 Kms from the temple to find good accommodation.
JALADHAMA RESORT
Jaladhama Resort Mudukuthore, Talakadu – 571 112 T. Narasipura Taluk, Mysore
RAYA RESORT
Raya Resort MudukuthoreTalakadu,T. NarasipuraTaluk, Mysore District- 571 112.
Places to visit near Talakadu
Sri Tripurasundari Temple
Somnathpur
Shivanasamudra
Matthithaleshwara Temple
Talakadu Distance
From Bangalore – 133 Kms
From Mysore – 49 Kms
From Malavalli – 28 Kms
From T Narasipura – 15 Kms
How to reach Talakadu
KSRTC(Bus)
Every 10 minutes, there is a KSRTC Bus to Mysore from Bangalore.
If you are looking to book online through KSRTC website, there are a lot of buses available (www.ksrtc.in)
Karnataka Sarige – ₹129
Rajahamsa Executive – ₹239
Airavat Club Class – ₹395
Busses start from 3.00AM and there are buses available until 10.30PM
Mysore to Talakadu
No direct KSRTC Bus from Mysore to Talakad, Take KSRTC bus from Mysore to T Narasipura which is 35 Kms @ ₹40/ Person, from T Narasipura to Talakad take shared auto @ ₹30/ Person for 15 Kms
Private auto rickshaw to the temple @ ₹200/One way
ISRTC(Train)
Take a train from Bangalore railway station to Mysore Railway station.
The nearest station to Talakad is Mysore station.
From Mysore station, it is 50 Kms to Talakad.
Bangalore to Mysore Train – 138 Kms – ₹65 – ₹75
NOTE – please contact Indian Railways (IRCTC) for better clarity on train timings & updated Pricing
By Air
Nearest International Airport( kempegowda airport Bangalore) is 172 Kms from Talakad.
Nearest Domestic Airport (Mandakalli Airport Mysore) is 55 Kms from Talakad.
Road – Bike / Car
Bangalore to Talakadu via Mysore road – 133 Kms
Majestic (kempegowda bus station) – Kumbalgodu – Bidadi – Channapatna – Maddur – KM Doddi – Malavalli – Sargur- Mudukuthore- Talakad
Bangalore to Talakad via Kanakapura road- 135 Kms
Majestic (kempegowda bus station) – Jayanagar – Thathaguni – Harohalli – Kanakapura – Malavalli – Sargur – Mudukuthore- Talakadu
Route Mysore to Talakadu via T Narasipura – 49 Kms
Mysore – Duddagere – T Narasipura – Madapura– Talakadu