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'Talakad'(also known as 'Talakadu') (Kannada:ತಲಕಾಡು) is a town on the left bank of the Kaveri river at a spot where the river makes a sharp bend. It is 45 kms from Mysore and 185 kms from Bangalore in Karnataka, India. A historic site, Talakad once had over 30 temples that today are buried in sand. Now it is a scenic and spiritual pilgrimage center.^[1] Here the eastward flowing Kaveri river changes course and seems magnificiently vast as here the sand on its banks spreads over a wide area.^[2]

Contents

History

Temples

Notes

References

External links

History

The region of Karnataka is rich in the legacy of magnificent architecture left by different ruling dynasties over the centuries. The history of the ancient temple city of Talakad, a pilgrimage site, has become lost in time. The illustrious and powerful Western Gangas ruled from 350 to 1050 AD until they were overthrown by the Cholas in the 11th century. Talakad came under the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century, followed by the powerful Vijayanagara Kingdom rulers and the Maharajas of Mysore.^[3]

Alter from temple in Belur

The Hoysala ruler, Vishnuvardhana, conquered the Gangas and Talakad. He built the impressive Vijayanarayana Chennakesava Temple at Belur.^[4]

Temples

At Talakad sand covers the temples. Stone pillars, square at the base and made to fit into a wheel below the abacus, lie scattered about. Among the temples of Talakad, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanathee-shwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the five Lingams believed to represent the five faces of Shiva, form the Pancha pathi and have become famous..^[5] In honour of these five Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years called Panchalinga Darshana, last held in 2006. The Panchalinga Darshana is held on a new moon day in the month of Karthika when two stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka.
There is also a Vishnu temple, Keerthinarayana.

Notes

1. Temple tales
2. Panchalinga Darshan: Sri Vaideshwara Temple
3. Talakad
4. Southern India - The Hoysalas
5. Panchalinga Darshan

References

★ Mudukuthore

★ Talakad temples

★ Temple Tales

External links

★ The Gangas of Talakad

★ Talakad Map

★ Gangas of Talakad. 10th century A.D. - Coins

★ Photo of Talakad

★ Thousands throng Talakad