Preface
Talakaveri is a sacred spot revered for her humble origins of the mighty River Kaveri. Situated in the Brahmagiri hills near Bhagamandala, Talakaveri is both a natural wonder and a spiritual destination. This article explores the significance, history, and allure of this iconic locale called Talakaveri.
Introduction
The iconic song Kodagina Kaveri (ಕೊಡಗಿನ ಕಾವೇರಿ) from the 1971 Kannada cult classic movie Sharapanjara (ಶರಪಂಜರ) says it all – people’s intense love and their reverence for the mother Kaveri.
The river Kaveri quenches the thirst of crores of people in Southern India and supports their lives by irrigating millions of acres of their land. Such a massive river that passes through so many towns and villages before it merges into the Bay-of-Bengal Sea has a humble beginning in a small tank (Brahma Kundike or Tirth Kundike). The tank has been built on the hillside, at the place that is said to be the origin.
It is where the underground stream emerges as a perennial spring and fills the tank.
The tank overflows during monsoon, thus marking the beginning of the River’s long journey toward the Bay of Bengal.
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The spring water in the tank is holy
The spring water inside the tank is considered holy to take a dip and bathe on special days, as it can cleanse our sins.
The waters are then said to flow underground to emerge as the Kaveri River some distance away. There existed an ancient temple near the tank that was in dilapidated condition. It was renovated extensively by the state government in 2007.
Tula sankramana – An auspicious day
On Cauvery Sankramana – the first day of Tula Masa – falls in mid-October, according to the Hindu calendar, thousands of pilgrims come to Talakaveri to witness the rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment.
The day is also called “Cauvery Sankramana” and special poojas and other rituals are performed across pilgrim towns in Kaveri’s banks.
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Temples along the Kaveri river
There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kaveramma. There is another temple devoted to Lord Agasthiswara who is none other than sage Agasthya. Another temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha Swami, an avatar of Maha Vishnu. It is located at Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. As per the belief, it was Lord Ganesha who was instrumental in setting up the Ranganatha swami temple at Srirangam.
The temple at Tirumakudalu Narasipura (confluence of Kabini, Kaveri, and the legendary Spatika Sarovara), is also dedicated to Agasthiwara.
History of Talakaveri
There was once a King called Kavera who prayed to Lord Brahma for a child. Brahma was pleased with his prayers and a daughter Lopamudra was born to Kavera. Lopamudra always desired to serve humanity since her childhood days. After a few years, sage Agastya saw Lopamudra and fell for her beauty. He proposed to her if she could marry him. She agreed on one condition – that he would never leave her alone – or else she would go away from him. He agreed, and they were married.
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The sage Agastya married Lopamudra
One day, the sage had to go somewhere, and due to unavoidable circumstances, he turned Lopamudra into water and stored her in his kamandala (pot). By this, he broke the condition of not leaving her alone. Since she was alone in the pot, her desire to serve humanity got intense. She requested Lord Ganesha for help. He came in the form of a crow and toppled the pot. Lopamudra – as Kaveri (daughter of Kavera) – flowed out of the pot and left.
The sage’s disciples tried to stop her, but she went underground for a certain distance such that she could not be stopped and then came up again at Bhagamandala and continued. Later, sage Agastya returned and found that his wife had left and could no longer be stopped.
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River Kaveri is at the service of Humanity
The River Kaveri continues to serve humanity and is worshiped for her divine grace. It is said, that on Tula Sankramana day, Goddess Ganga, comes underground to cleanse the sins of devotees who take a dip at Talakaveri.
The hills where the River Kaveri originates are called Brahmagiri hills as Lopamudra was created by Lord Brahma. You can also see that river Cauvery originates at Talacauvery but after flowing for a short distance, still goes underground to come back to Bhagamandala – as mentioned in the story.
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Information about Talakaveri
- Talakaveri temple’s Phone number is 080 2235 2828
Talakaveri Coorg Timings
- All days – 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM
How to get there?
One can reach Talakaveri by train/ bus journey from Bangalore to Mysore. From there take the public bus or private car OR by hired car to go to Talakaveri.
Things to do at Talakaveri
Nestled in the lap of the Brahmagiri hills, Talakaveri is the ultimate beauty, apart from being a sacred spot. A series of steps near the temple lead to the summit of this hill where one gets to see breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Up there, one gains a 360-degree view of the stunning landscape of the undulating hills.
Talakaveri and Bhagamandala lie close to each other at a distance of just 8 km. A temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Bhagamandala, where River Kaveri merges with Kannike and Sujyoti to form the Triveni Sangama. The distance between Madikeri and Talakaveri is 43.5 km.
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