Talakadu - A Desert Town of Karnataka

Traveling with someone you know is very easy to test your friendship. Whether you hardly know someone or think you'll be the best friends for life, traveling disasters mean you will quickly find out a lot about another person through the way they react. Even the boring everyday parts of traveling will reveal a new side to their personality. You are guaranteed good company with someone you know you get along well with. if things go wrong, you know someone else will be there with you to help you get through it. Most people come back from traveling much closer to each other than they were before. It's also fun to create special and unique memories with someone close to you and complete strangers. On a trip to Talakadu with office to create some memories and to beat the everyday work routine.

Talakadu is a desert-like town on the left bank of the Kaveri River. It once had over 30 temples most of which now lay buried in sand. There are many legends and stories regarding this historic small city. The origin of the town is lost in antiquity; but one tradition is that its name was derived from two twin brothers, Tala and Kadu, who struck the tree with an axe to find blood gushing forth, and upon bidding of heavenly voice, dressed the wound of the tree with the tree's leaves and fruits. The tree healed, and the hunters became immortal. Since Shiva is believed to have healed himself through this incident, he is referred to as Vaidyeshwara. The Panchalingas here all associated with this legend.

The city was ruled by the Gangas and then by the Cholas  The Cholas were chased out of  Talakadu by the Hoysala king, Vishnuvardhana. The city was later ruled by the king of  Vijayanagara and was taken over by the Wodeyars of Mysore. When the Raja from Mysore moved against Talakadu with army in desirous of possessing the jewels of  Rani Alamelamma, she thereupon went to the banks of the Kaveri, and throwing in the jewel, drowned herself opposite to Malangi ( other side  on Bank of Kaveri) , at the same time uttering a three-fold curse.

            Talakadu Maralaagi

             Malingi maduvaagi

             Mysuru dhorege makkalagade hogali.

May Talakadu become sandy, Malangi become a whirlpool and Mysore Kings will not have children. The latter part continues till today of the royal family of Mysore  have faced problem of having a rightful heir to the throne since the 17th century and the other event visible even to date is the historically vibrant city being submerged under sand  dunes several meters deep.

Mahadwara (great entrance) of Keerthi Narayana Temple recovered from sand dunes at Talakadu

According to local legend, Ramanujacharya during his sojourn in Karnataka, established five Vishnu Temples of  Lord Narayana known as Pancha Narayana Kshetrams. Talakadu is one of the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams where the Keerthi Narayana temple was established and the presiding Deity in this temple is Keerthi Narayana.

Keethi Narayana Temple

The most imposing temple left uncovered by the sand is that of Vaidyanatheshwara temple. The magnificent stone carvings, stone pillars, and the eerie quiet within the temple and the feel of thick stone slabs beneath your bare feet will leave you in awe. Among the temples of Talakadu, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the five Lingams believed to represent the five faces of Shiva, form the pancha pathi and have become famous. In honour to these five Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years called Panchalinga Darshana, last held in 2009.

The phenomenon of sand dunes is a still mystery. According to Science, it is due the dam built across River Kaveri, made the river very shallow changing it course, exposing the sand that had built up int the river bed over thousands of years. this sand dried very quickly in the sun. The south-westerly winds carried the sand and deposited the particles on the old Talakadu town. Archaeologists believe that the town was abandoned over a period of 200 years. Tired of the sand that kept blowing in, the people of Talakadu simply moved away.

This sleepy town is at the epic center of some of the latest advances in horticulture and wine making. Often referred to as Bangalore's Gourmet Valley by name Cauvery Valley. Its is still a secret many chefs choose not to share. Fine wines, exotic zero pesticide fresh produce, artisan cheese and diverse culinary experiences are changing this once sleepy hamlet.

As you get down the bus, the sight of sand dunes as though at a beach greet you. The coracle ride in the waters is one of the fun things you should do here. We had the times of our lives playing in the cool, cool waters of Kaveri. Very soon darkness descended on the sandy town, signalling us to get back home. As we huddled back to our vehicle, we realized how fruitful our short trip to Talakadu was. We had so much fun, strangers becoming friends and growing our relationships.

"A journey is best measure in friends, rather than miles"