group of temples, where the eastward flowing Kaveri river changes course as the sand on its banks spreads over a wide area, is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.[1]
History
The origin of the town is lost in antiquity, but one tradition is that its name was derived from two Kirāta twin brothers, Tala and Kādu. The brothers cut down a tree after seeing wild elephants worship it and discovered it contained an image of Shiva and that the elephants were rishis transformed. The tree being miraculously restored, all obtained mōksha and the place was named Tala-kādu, which was translated into Sanskrit as Dala-vana. Two stone images declared to represent the brothers are pointed out in front of the temple Veerabadra swamy. In a later age, Rāma is said to have halted here on his expedition to Lanka.[citation needed]
The earliest authentic mention of the city of Talekād or Talakādu, in Sanskrit Dalavana-pura, is in connection with the Ganga line of kings. Harivarma, who has been assigned to find a place (247–266 CE) was, according to an old chronicle,[citation needed] installed at Skandapura (said to be Gajalhatti, in the Coimbatore country, near where the Moyār flows into the Bhavāni), but resided in the great city of Dalavanapura in the Karnāta-dēsa. After Talkād became the capital these powerful sovereigns and there the subsequent kings of that line were crowned.[citation needed]
At the beginning of the eleventh century CE, the
feudatory of the Vijayanagar sovereigns, whose line appears to be known as that of Sōma-Rāja.[citation needed
]
Curse of Talakadu
In 1610 CE, the Mysore Rāja conquered Talakadu under the following circumstances. Tirumala-Rāja—sometimes called
Cauvery, and throwing in the jewel, drowned herself opposite Mālangi, at the same time uttering a three-fold curse: "Let Talakād become sand; let Mālangi become a whirlpool; let the Mysore Rājas fail to beget heirs." The latter part continues to affect the royal family.[citation needed
]
Talakadu is also tagged to the curse called "Curse of Talakadu" by Alamelamma on the
The old city Talkād is completely buried beneath the sand stretching for nearly a mile in length, only the tops of two
gopuras being visible. The sand hills used to advance upon the town at the rate of 9 or 10 feet a year, principally during the south-west monsoon and as they pressed it close on three sides. The inhabitants of Talkād were constantly forced to abandon their houses and retreat further inland. The town, however, is increasing in population, owing to the rich wet cultivation in the neighbourhood, derived from the Mādhavamantri anicut and channel. More than thirty temples are beneath the sand, but the Kírti Nārāyana temple has been successfully excavated. The most imposing temple left uncovered by the sand is that of Vydyanatheshwara temple.[citation needed
]
In the early nineteenth century, two temples—Ānandēsvara and Gaurisankara—were unearthed. Four fragmentary records were found on the outer walls of the Pātālēsvara temple. One of these is an old inscription in
Gangas and Talakadu. He built the impressive Vijayanarayana Chennakesava Temple at Belur.[4]
Talakadu Today
This sleepy little town is at the epicenter of some of the latest advances in
wine making. Often referred to as Bangalore's Gourmet Valley by name Cauvery Valley, it 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.
Gallery
The Kaveri flows in Talakadu
Mahadwara (great entrance) of Kirtinarayana temple, recovered from the sand dunes at Talakadu
Dwarapalaka (door keeper) and a profile of the mantapa at Vaidyeshvara temple
A profile of the outer wall of the mantapa in Vaidyeshvara temple
Ornate doorjamb and Dwarapalakas in relief in Vaidyeshvara temple