Talakadu: An Important Archeological and Spiritual Site in Karnataka

Located 45 kilometers from Mysore and 135 km from Bengaluru, Talakad is an important historical and archeological site in Karnataka.

Situated by the banks of river Kaveri, the place consists of over 30 temples, most of which are now buried under the sand.

Talakad is also a famous spiritual site for the Hindus, consisting of the five shrines of Lord Shiva, popularly known as the ‘Pancha Linga.’

Talakad has attracted many visitors for ages and is a famous ‘Tourist Destination’ in Karnataka.

Legends of Talakadu

This ancient city is situated by the banks of river Kaveri, most of which is covered by dunes.

In the 12th century, the city was under the capture of the Hoysala Empire, which later came under the mighty Vijayanagara Kingdom rulers and was managed by the rulers of Mysore.

(Source: Trodly)

History of Talakad

This ancient city has a mighty history.

The powerful western Gangas ruled it from 350 – 1050 AD until the Cholas conquered it in the 11th century.

After the Chola empire, a power shift occurred from the Cholas to the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century.

Eventually, Talakad was under the Vijayanagara Kingdom rulers and was managed by the rulers of Mysore.

The name Talakadu is derived from two words, Tala and Kada.

Talakad was the capital of the Gangas and Cholas, under which the famous Shiva temple Vaidyanatheswara was built.

There are some 30 temples, most of which are said to be buried under the dunes.

The temples being submerged in the sand are attributed to the curse of queen Alamelamma on the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore.

The curse of queen Alamelamma was:

“May Talakadu become desert land,

Malangi becomes a whirlpool,

And Mysore Kings bear no heirs!”

Architecture of Talakad

Talakadu, or Talakad, is in the present-day state of Karnataka and flanked by the river Kaveri.

The place is famous for being an important Hindu pilgrim, consisting of Lord Shiva’s five shrines, popularly known as the ‘Pancha Linga.’

The famous Shiva temple Vaidyanatheswara is also located in Talakad.

There are some 30 temples located in Talakad, most of which are said to be buried under the dunes.

In the nineteenth century, two temples were unearthed in Talakad: the Ānandēsvara and Gaurisankara temples.

There were inscriptions written in Kannada on the walls of these temples.

These temples were designed using olden-day construction techniques, and structures of gods and goddesses were carved on the walls.

(Source: Tripadvisor)

Things to do in Talakad

Talakad is a historical, archeological, and religious site in our country.

On the one hand, it is one of the essential pilgrims of the followers of Hinduism, while on the other hand, Talakad offers a great treat to historians too.

Historians can have a fun time digging deep into the history of the place and enjoying the beautiful monuments and buildings from the past.

Talakad has a special significance from the point of view of spirituality.

The Pancha Lingas of lord Shiva are buried inside the sand except for one.

These temples are opened once in twelve years, and ceremonial worship is done.

A big fat festival is celebrated during Jan – Feb in Mudukuthore, only 4 km from Talakadu.

This festival felicitates the selling of cattle and other items required for agriculture.

There is no entry fee for visiting the temples of Talakad, and all types of cameras can be carried inside the temple premises for photography.

Restaurants and Local Food

Though located far from the capital city, Talakad offers many options to suit your taste buds.

Though you don’t have famous restaurant chains in Talakad, the street foods here will meet your demands.

South Indian food is predominantly preferred in this area, and the street vendors and dhaba owners here present you with mouth-watering street food to boost your appetite.

Best Time to Visit Talakad

The winter months of October – March are much preferred for visiting Talakad because the weather remains delightful.

Also, there would be significantly less rain during these months of the year, as a result of which the temples buried in the sand would be visible.

The summer days are too hot and sweaty for visitors to enjoy and explore the city.

How to Reach Talakad

The nearest railway station and airport to Talakad are Mysore.

Government-run or private buses can be booked from either Mysore or Bengaluru at KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation) to reach Talakad.

Another route to Talakad is via Somanathapura temple from Mysore to Mudukuthore and then to Talakadu.

Mudukuthorekm 4 km from Talakad and houses all the big and small hotels for visitors.

Location

Check out the location of Talakad on the map:

FAQs

(Feature image source: Trodly)