Vaidyanatheshwara Temple

Getting there

• By road

  Talakadu is about 45 km from Mysuru, on the left bank of the Kaveri, in Tirumakudalu Narasipura taluk of Mysore district.

Why devotees come here

Vaidyanatheshwara Temple is the most imposing temple the sand has left uncovered at Talakadu, a town on the left bank of the Kaveri. Over 30 temples once stood in the town, most now buried. Talakadu is about 45 km from Mysuru.

Vaidyanatheshwara Temple is the most imposing temple the sand has left uncovered at Talakadu. Talakadu is home to the Pancha Linga Darshana, a rare religious event in which five Shiva temples are worshipped together. Legend says Rani Alamelamma drowned herself in the Kaveri and cursed Talakadu to become sand. Over time the town was buried, leaving only the temple spires visible. Talakadu was once a flourishing capital of the Ganga dynasty. The capital was moved from Kolar to Talakadu, on the banks of the Kaveri, and it remained the regal capital until the end of Ganga rule in the early 11th century. It had over 30 temples, most of which now lie buried in sand. The sand hills used to advance on the town at 9 or 10 feet a year, mostly during the south-west monsoon. Another town legend tells how two Kirata brothers cut down a tree after seeing wild elephants worship it, and found an image of Shiva in it.

Tirumala Raja, sometimes called Sri Ranga Raya and the representative of the Vijayanagar family at Srirangapatna, came to Talakadu, on the Kaveri, to offer sacrifices at the Vaidyeshvara temple. The doorjamb of the temple is ornate, with dwarapalakas, or door keepers, carved in relief.

Tips for your visit

• Look closely at the ornate doorjamb of the temple, where the dwarapalakas, or door keepers, are carved in relief.
• The sand hills advanced on the town mostly during the south-west monsoon, at 9 or 10 feet a year.

Questions people ask