Talakadu Shiva Temples Mysore (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Pooja, Location & Phone)

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Talakadu (or Talakad) is a historic site, near Mysore, on the banks of the River Kaveri. It was once a flourishing town, which saw the rise and fall of several kingdoms.

But today, much of Talakadu is buried under the sand. It is a scenic pilgrimage centre where you can visit ancient temples. Devotees come here to pray to Lord Shiva. And once in around 12 years, you can also be a part of the special 'Panchalinga Darshana’ worship.

Talakadu is a must-visit if you're looking for a one-day trip from Mysore. And during your visit, you'll also know the Talakadu Temples story in detail.

History of Talakadu Temples

The origin of Talakadu and its temples is unclear.

But as per the legends, it began with two brothers – Tala and Kadu. They found a tree being worshipped by elephants, which they then cut down. And they discovered the tree was bleeding. Then, a voice ordered them to heal it using its leaves. After the tree was restored, the blood turned into milk, which the brothers drank and attained moksha.

Later, the town was named Talakadu after those two brothers.

Curse of Talakadu Temples

Apart from the legend about Talakadu Temples history, another popular one is about the curse which buried Talakadu under the sand.

As per the local folklore, Wodeyar rulers (of Mysore) took over the region after the death of the king. Also, he was after the jewels belonging to the queen (Queen Alamelamma). But she fled. And when she found she couldn't escape, she drowned herself in River Kaveri.

But before jumping into the river, she uttered a three-fold curse – “Talakadu Maralagi, Malangi Maduvagi, Mysooru Arasarige Makkalagadirali.”

It translates to – “Let Talakadu become sand, let Malangi become a whirlpool, let the Mysore Rajas fail to beget heirs.” And Talakadu, the once prosperous town, is now buried in mounds of sand, several metres deep.

Architecture of Talakadu Temples

As per the legends, 30 temples are buried in the mounds of sand. And it is believed that most temples were built by the kings of Vijayanagar kingdom. The Hoysalas, Cholas and others too contributed and added many features to the existing temples.

However, only a few temples have been excavated. Revered among those are the five Shiva temples – Pataleshwara, Maraleshwara, Arkeshwara, Mallikarjuna and Vaidhyanatheshwara. The Keerthinarayana Temple is also a popular temple of Talakadu.

And of all the temples, the Vaidyanatheshwara Temple is the most detailed. It is crafted out of granite in the Dravidian style of architecture. The doors have ornate door jambs with huge dwarapalakas (doorkeepers) crafted out of stone on both sides. A stone chain and a five-headed snake are also cut out on the top corners.

Along with the temples, you'll also find stone pillars and square bases scattered around.

Talakadu Shiva Temples Mysore Image Galley

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Popular Shiva Temples of Talakadu

1. Arkeshwara Temple – Arkeshwara Temple is slightly away from the other Shiva temples. And here, you'll find the idol of Bhairavar, Durga and Abhayangara lingam, along with Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rock at the entrance, with a Vaastu yantram. And local people believe if you tie ill cows to this rock, they’ll be cured.

2. Mallikarjuna Temple – Mallikarjuna Temple is on a hill in Mudukothare. And it offers a good view of the area. This temple has the idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Brahmaraambika. The temple got its name from “Mallika” flower, which Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) used during his ritual.

3. Maraleshwara Temple – Maraleshwara Temple has the largest Shivalinga among the Talakadu temples. And people believe Lord Brahma himself installed and worshipped it. You'll also find the idol of Ganapathi, Maheswara, Thirumal and some other gods in the front mandapam.

4. Pataleshwara Temple – Pataleshwara Temple is a cut stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is a cave-style temple which has different Shivalingas on the way to the main temple. And the main Shivalinga in this cave temple is said to have the ability to change colour. People say that the Shivalinga is red in the morning, black in the afternoon and white at night.

5. Vaidhyanatheshwara Temple – Vaidhyanatheshwara Temple, as per the legends, is built where the tree cut by the brothers' Tala and Kadu healed itself. Also, Vaidhyanatheshwara is known as the Lord of Doctors, and this temple is a popular place for Hindu pilgrimage.

Things to do in Talakadu

1. Being a part of the Panchalinga Darshana – The five Shiva temples are collectively known as Panchalingas. And once in 12 years, priests decide a day for the holy ritual of Panchalinga Darshana. The festivities begin at the exact time in all the temples with a dip in the holy water basin near the Vaidhyanatheshwara Temple.

2. Visiting Keerthinarayana Temple – Keerthinarayana Temple is another temple in the Talakadu temple list. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Talakadu Keerthi Narayana Temple was built by the Hoysalas upon winning Talakadu from the Cholas. Apart from the main temple, you'll see a grand stone entranceway, pillars and stone inscriptions lying all over the place.

3. Exploring Somanathapura village – The small village of Somanathapura near Talakadu is known for the Chennakeshava Temple. It was built during the rule of the Hoysala dynasty. Another temple in the village built around the same time is Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple. Both these temples have beautiful wall carvings depicting various incidents from Indian mythology.

4. Boating in River Kaveri – Only a few metres away from the Talakadu panchalinga temples is a picnic spot on the bank of River Kaveri. Local people come here to spend time away from the chaos of the city. And you can also enjoy a coracle ride down the river.

Talakadu Temple Timings and Entry Fee

Talakadu Temple darshan timings aren’t fixed, but the panchalinga temples usually open around 8 AM. And you can visit them until 6 PM.

Also, you don’t have to pay any entry fee for darshan in the temples. But the nearby boat rides are chargeable at ₹30 - ₹50 per person. These rides on the River Kaveri are for about 30 minutes.

Best time to visit Talakadu Temples Mysore

Winters are the best time to visit Talakadu Temples Mysore. Winter begins around October-November, and the weather remains pleasant to visit until February. And you'll be able to explore the temples better.

Time to explore Talakadu Shiva Temples

It will take you an entire day to visit Talakadu from Mysore and explore the temples. These architectural beauties are spread in a large area. And it might take you about 3 hours to visit all the panchalinga temples.

Then, apart from those five temples, you can also visit other temples in and near Talakadu.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Talakadu Temples

• Take your hat and sunscreen.
• Carry a bottle of water and packed food.
• Wear comfortable shoes/slippers.

How to reach Talakadu Temples Mysore?

Talakadu Temple's distance from Mysore is about 45 km. And it doesn’t take much effort to reach Talakadu. The nearest airport is in Mysore itself. Also, the nearest railway station is in Mysore.

But the only way to reach Talakadu is by road.

By bus – You can get a bus from Mysore to reach Talakadu. And then explore the temples here.

By cab – Booking a full-day cab from top car rental companies in Mysore would be the best way to take a trip to Talakadu. You can visit the temples in the vicinity and be a part of the other activities around.

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Location Map for Talakadu Shiva Temples Mysore