Talakadu, Karnataka
Been there recently?
Part of the city that is close to the river Kaveri intrigues the visitor as it is barren rather than fertile. This area of more than 1500 acres is covered by sand! There is no sand anywhere else nearby, but in this place there is sand everywhere. A cluster of six temples is seen here. These temples were fully covered in sand and not visible until 1991. Archaeological Survey of India excavated the place and out emerged these temples. There is a legend associated with why the temples went under the sand after the 17th century, but the legend has no supportive inscriptional evidence. Of these temples, the Viadyanatheshwara temple stands out for its majestic architecture, beautifully ornate carvings, and artistic sculptures. It was built by Western Ganga kings in the 10th century, improved by Cholas in the 11th century, and subsequently by Hoysalas in the 14th century. Inscriptional evidence dates the history of this place back to the 4th century. Archaeologists opine that more than 20 temples lie buried under sand, and historians claim that these temples were built from the 10th to the 17th century. Talakadu is 48 kilometres from district headquarters Mysuru and about 130 kilometres from Bengaluru. The nearest rail and air link is at Mysuru.
Nearby Places to See
Mudukuthore
It is a sacred location, with a shrine honouring Mallikarjuna Swamy perched atop a tiny hill. At a distance, the flowing River Kaveri in the plains is a lovely sight. The temple can be reached after about 200-odd steps of ascent. Six kilometres separate Mudukutore from the Talakadu group of temples.
The location is 25 kilometres from Talakadu and is home to one of Karnataka’s most magnificent temples. In the year 1258, a general of Hoysala king Narasimha III constructed the Chennakeshava temple. This temple’s trikuta (three sanctums) architecture is stunning. In terms of architecture, it could be described as a complete temple, and the level of detail and creativity in the sculptures is unmatched. Another historic landmark in the village is the Panchalingeshwara temple, which has five sanctuaries and five towers.
There is a large ancient Srikanteshwara temple here, roughly 46 kilometres from Talakadu. It was initially constructed by the Cholas in the 12th century and later expanded and improved by the Hoysala and Vijayanagara dynasties.
About 35 kilometres from Talakadu are the Bharachukki Waterfalls, twin waterfalls formed by the Kaveri River as it plunges down into a ravine. At this point, the river branches off to the left and right, creating the Gaganachukki Falls and the Bharachukki Falls, respectively. The two waterfalls are separated by 10 kilometres and are best seen from two different vantage points.
This group of hills, the Biligiri Rangana Hills, is about 50 kilometres from Talakadu and well worth visiting. Because the hill’s cliff looks white, it was given the name “Biligiri,” where Bili means white. The hill is surrounded by dense forests that are home to a wide range of plant and animal species. More than 200 different species of birds have been spotted here, making it home to a wide variety of avian life. The River Kaveri, which is not far away, is a popular destination for rafting and trekking enthusiasts. Because it connects the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats, this wildlife sanctuary plays a crucial role in the movement of migratory animals. Devotees visit the Ranganatha temple at the peak all year long.
-
Destination