District: Kodagu/Coorg
Town: Bhagamandala
Talakaveri or Talacauvery is the place of origin of River Kaveri. It’s one of the must visit places when you holiday in Coorg. Apart from being a sacred place it is a scenic spot too. Talakaveri/Talacauvery lies in the Brahmagiri Hills, near Bhagamandala in the Kodagu/Coorg district of Karnataka. It lies at a height of 1,276 m above sea level. Here is all that you want to know about Talacauvery or Talakaveri.
Talakaveri Temple view in the Brahmagiri Hills, Coorg
Talakaveri Temple
Talakaveri temple is sacred for Hindus, especially the Kodavas, the native clan of Coorg. A small spring originated in the Brahma Kundike or Tirth Kundike and hence it is referred to as Talakaveri. A small tank is constructed at the place of origin of River Kaveri where pilgrims take bath on auspicious days. The waters flow underground and gain body as river Kaveri in some distance away near Bhagamandala and joins Kannike and Sujyoti to form the sacred Triveni sangama, or the confluence of the three rivers.
The deity in the Talakaveri temple is Kaveramma. There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, as he appeared to Sage Agasthya here and hence assumes the name Agastheeshwara. There is also a shrine for Ganesha for the role he played in releasing the waters of Kaveri.
Pilgrims flock the Talakaveri temple during the festival of Tula Sankramana in October to bathe in the holy waters of River Kaveri. During this time, the water springs up in Brahma kundike, the place where River Kaveri originated as a stream. The locals believe that visiting the Talakaveri temple during this festival is very auspicious>
History of Talakaveri/Talacauvery
As per the history of Talakaveri, sage Agasthya held River Kaveri in his Kamandalu (a small water pot) and engaged in meditation. Lord Ganesha, in the form of a crow perched on the Kamandalu. Realising this sage Agasthya, tried to shoo away the crow, but of no avail, as the crow toppled the water pot, releasing the waters that flowed down as a stream called Kaveri. Hence the name Talakaveri or the origin of River Kaveri.
Things to do at Talakaveri/Talacauvery
Nestled in the lap of the Brahmagiri hills, Talakaveri is utterly scenic, 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.
Best time to visit Talakaveri/Talacauvery
The best time to visit Talakaveri temple is from October to May. It is best to avoid visiting during the monsoon season.
How to reach Talakaveri/Talacauvery
The closest airport to Talakaveri is Mangalore which is about 149 km away. Bangalore airport is about 297.3 km away. You can reach Mysore station which is about 161 km from here.
By road from Mysore the route would be: Mysore – Hunsur- Periyapatna-Bylekuppe-Koppa-Kushal Nagara-Cauvery Nishadharma – Hosakote – Suntikoppa – Madikeri- Abey Falls-Bhagamandala-Talacauvery
There are KSRTC buses that operate between Karnataka and Kerala. Also, private buses operate or connect Madikeri with other cities.
Also See:
- River Kaveri
- Temples in Karnataka
- Brahmagiri Hill Trekking
- Coorg
- Local sightseeing in Coorg
- Virajpet
- Kakkabe
- Places nearby Coorg