Talakad

Talakad located on the banks of river Cauvery near Mysore, Karnataka is known for its sand dunes. It is 45 kms from Mysore and is considered to be one of the most popular excursions from Mysore . It stands where the Cauvery River makes a sharp bend eastwards from a southerly coast. These historic site once had 30 temples most of which are buried under the sand dunes formed perpetually extending more than a mile.

Talakad was the capital of the Western Gangas and then was ruled by the Tamil Cholas from 10 th to the 12 th century. The Hoysalas took possession of the place in the 12 th century. After the Hoysalas it was the Vijayanagara Kings and Maharajas who patronized the place.

Talakad town has a marvelous Shiva temple built in the Dravidian granite style called Vaidyeshwara. Although several Hoysala features are present, most of the structure of the temple is attributed to the Vijaynagar peiod. The eastern doorway of the Navaranga is intricately sculpted and the gigantic dwarapalakas embellish the entrance.

Panchalinga Darshana is a rare special pilgrimage that is held every 12 years. Vaidyeshwara temple and four other temples: Arkeshwara, Vasukishwara or Pataleshwara, Saikateshwara or Maraleshwara and Mallikarjuna constitue the Panchalinga. These five Lingams are the five faces of Shiva. The Vasukishwara Shivalingam is said to change its color from red in the morning to black in the afternoon and white in the evening. The Panchalinga Darshana is held on a new moon day in the month of Karthika when the two stars Khuha Yoga and Vishaka conjoin.

There are interesting legends also that are associated with the palace. It is believed that ascetic Somadatta headed out to Siddharanya Kshetra Talakad to worship Shiva and was killed by wild elephants en route after that he and his disciples re-incarnated in the form of wild elephants and worshipped Shiva in the form of a tree at Talakad. Two hunters Tala and Kada,are believed to have struck the tree with an axe to find blood gushing out.in accordance to the command of a heavenly voice, they dressed the wound of the tree with the tree's leaves and fruits. The tree healed and the hunters became immortal. Shiva is referred as Vaidyeshwara as he healed himself. The Panchalingams at Talakad are all associated with this legend. There is also a Vishnu temple called Keethinarayana present.