Date of Visit : Feb,12-2011
Situated on the banks of Kaveri river, Talakad is at about 45kms from Mysore. Talakad once had over 30 temples that today are buried in sand.The origin of this place dates back to 247-266 A.D.
It is believed that a female named Alamelamma cursed the Talakad to be buried under the sand!
Most of the above is extracted from wikipedia link given here that you can consult for more interesting details.
Before visiting the temples excavated from sand, one has to visit this beautiful Siva Temple.
Situated on the banks of Kaveri river, Talakad is at about 45kms from Mysore. Talakad once had over 30 temples that today are buried in sand.The origin of this place dates back to 247-266 A.D.
At Talakad sand covers the temples. Among the temples of Talakad, 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 of these five Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years calledPanchalinga Darshana, last held in 2009.
It is believed that a female named Alamelamma cursed the Talakad to be buried under the sand!
Most of the above is extracted from wikipedia link given here that you can consult for more interesting details.
Before visiting the temples excavated from sand, one has to visit this beautiful Siva Temple.
We are out of the Temple and it is time for unearthing the other temples...in the next post..!
it is been a long time since i visited this place . Your post inspires me to take one more
ReplyDeleteThalakkad is such an unusual place. I loved it. I was a school kid when I went there...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a Baby at Kanchi!!!
Superb photos again Sridharan.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity though to learn that so many temple are still buried in sand, so much beauty and art thta we can't admire! Do you think that thye will eventually be dug out?
Another amazing, marvelous tour!! I do so look forward to reading them, seeing your photos and, best of all, learning so much fascinating and interesting history about your country! Thank you, Sridharan! Hope you and your beautiful family have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
The 13th snapshot: seems like someone has gouged out or chiseled out sections of the sculpture!
ReplyDeleteLoved the shot of the feet with vermilllion. Was there a statue there or is it just that?
Nice...but where are the sand covered temples? Or am I the only one missing that :(
ReplyDeleteThanks TGS, Bhushavali- Check it out now and see if it has changed!
ReplyDeleteThanks DeeBeeL, I doubt. I understand whatever could be unearthed (!) has already been done.!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sylvia
ReplyDeleteYes ?. It should have been the work of Mughul invaders(Bahamini Sultans). There wasn't any statue.. Just the feet alone!
ReplyDeleteThe excavated temples will be covered in the next post.. You haven't missed them yet!
ReplyDeleteThe place looks so serene and quiet! Beautiful photos as always, loved all of them! Will wait for the excavated temples too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arti..True..not many visitors..!
ReplyDelete