Sri Maruleshwara Temple / Sri Maraleshwara Temple, Talakadu, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

This Sri Maruleshwara Shiva temple is one of the Shiva temples of Panchalinga Temples in and around of Talakad. Sri Pataleshwara / Pataleshwar Temple, Maruleshwara Temple and Vaidyanatheshwara Temples are near to each other and Arkeshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temples are out side Talakad. We had visited the three Shiva temples out of 5 Shiva Temples in Talakadu.  These three temples are once under sand dunes. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) during 1970s and protective walls are also constructed around the temple. This may be due change of direction of Kaveri River  or due to flood. But there is a local legend behind this phenomena.

Moolavar : Sri Maruleshwara

Some of the important details are…

This temple is also facing east of about 20 feet below the ground level with protective walls. A Hero stone and half buried statues are out side the sanctum. It was believed that the moolavar Shiv linga was installed and worshiped by Brahma. Moolavar Maruleshwara is little large made out of sand stone also called as Saikateshwara ( Sand ). ( Maralu in kannada means sand ). Gangas period murtis of Maheswarar, Vishnu, Ambiga, Pickshadanar, Durgai, Murugan/ Kartikeya, Surya, and Vinayagar are in the artha mandapam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha mandapam. The sanctum plinth has jagathi, kumuda, gala and mahapatti makes the plinth as padabandha adhisthana. The vimana above the sanctum was built during recent years.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was believed that the this temple was constructed by Gangas during 10^th Century.

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, during 17^th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…

 

"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20^th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Talakadu ia bout 29 KM from T Narasipura and 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.

KSRTC buses are available fro T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Hero stone

 half buried statues 

 Pickshadanar

 Vishnu

  

Durga and Karthikeya

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Keerthi Narayana Temple / ஸ்ரீ கீர்த்திநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், at Talakadu / தலகாடு, Karnataka State.

17^th June 2018.

Talakadu near Mysuru / Mysore is known as Dalavanapura and Gajaranya in Sanskrit was the capital of Gangas from 4^th to 10^th century. Gangas were succeeded by Chozhas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and Mysore Wodeyars. This temple was once completely covered with sand dunes and excavated during 1911 CE.  The Temple is presently under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI). There is an interesting legend ( Alamelamma's Curse ) behind this, which is given at the end of this article.  

Moolavar : Sri Keerthi Narayana

Thayar    : Sri Sundaravalli

Some of the important details are...

The temple is facing east  with Dwara mandapam and a Palipedam. Thayar Sundaravalli is in Dwara mandapam, may be a base of Rajagopuram without the super structure. The moolavar is about 8 feet high,  holding conch and disc in the upper hands, stands in samabhanga posture on a lotus pedestal. Urchavar or the procession deity Vishnu with Bhudevi and Sridevi are in front.

ARCHITECTURE

The main sanctum was built out of granite in Hoysala – Dravida style. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a mandapam with three entrances built over a large plinth with jagati has on plan a stellate garbhagriha. The mandapa  or the navranga is spacious, has lathe turned  pillars and ceiling adorned by creeper scrolls, lotuses and other floral designs. The mandapa pillars has the reliefs of Ramanuja, Nammazhwar, Vedantha Desikar and Ugra Narasimha are in the artha mandapam pillars.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions ( Epigrapia Carnatica ) this temple was built and consecrated on the 7^th December 1117 CE, the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate the Victory over Chozhas. The title of “Talakadugonda”  was assumed after this victory. It was told that the Sri Ramanuja was behind the victory. The place also renamed as Talakadu from Rajarajapuram, which was changed during Chozha's rule. From the Kannada inscriptions Talakad was guarded by the chieftains Adhiyaman, Narasimhavarman and Thikulathaman of Chozha Kings. In the battle Adhiyaman was asked to surrender by the Vishnuvardhana's chieftain Veeragangan. In turn Adhiyaman replied that he can take Talakad after their victory. In the battle Chozhas were defeated and Adhiyaman was Killed. Through the Victory Veeragangan assumed the title of "Veeragangan who conquered thikula ( Chozhas in Kannada )". As per the inscriptions this place was called as Talaikadu. 

To Commemorate the Victory, Vishnuvardhana constructed the kesava temple at his capital Velapur / Belur, which was then known as Vijaya Narayana Temple.  

Chozha period Tamil  inscriptions are also found on the pedestal and lathe turned pillars.  The Tamil inscription on the back side of the temple adhistanam records the endowment of burning a  lamps and the donations given to this Kirthinarayana Temple. 

The sanctum vimana was collapsed due to rain in 2002 and the total sanctum sanctorum was dismantled and rebuilt by A S I.

 Tamil inscriptions

Tamil inscriptions

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, during 17^th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…

 

"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20^th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Talakadu is about 29 KM from T Narasipura, 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.

KSRTC buses are available from T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :    CLICK HERE

I extend my sincere thanks to Mr John Peter, Former archaeologist & Teacher to take us to all the temples and explained us the details. And also extend my thanks to the participants Mr Srinivasan, Mrs Sakthi Prakash, Mr Sadasivam and Mr Raghu.

Visited 2nd time during “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- on 30^th July 2023 organised by the FB Group தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி".  

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Pataleshwara Temple / Sri Padaleeswarar Temple / or Vasukishwara Temple, Talakad, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

This Sri Pataleswara Shiva temple  is one of the Shiva temples of Panchalinga Temples in and around of Talakadu. Sri Pataleshwar Temple, Maraleshwara Temple and Vaidyanatheshwara Temples are near to each other and Arkeshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temples are out side Talakadu. We had visited the three Shiva temples out of 5 Shiva Temples in Talakadu.  These three temples are once under sand dunes. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) during 1970s and protective walls are also constructed around the temple. This may be due change of direction of Kaveri River  or due to flood. But there is a local legend behind this phenomena. 

Moolavar : Sri Vasukishwara   or Sri Pataleshwara

Some of the important details are...

The temple is facing east and about 20 feet below the ground level surrounded by sand mount. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The Mandapa pillars are squatrish pillars of Ganga order. The specialty of this temple is moolavar changes his colour from morning to evening from red to black and white during night.

Believed to be constructed during 8^th century by Rashtrakutas  and some claims that the original temple was built by Gangas during 10^th century. The sanctum constructed with jagati, trittakumuda, gala, ryalamala. Mouldings of this type of plinth is called as pratikrama type. The vimana was built during recent years. The temple inside has the Ganga’s style sculptures of Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Durga and Bairavar. One of the sanctum stone contains the Chozha period inscriptions. Inscribed after the Victory of Talakadu over the Gangas.

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, during 17^th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…

 

"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20^th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Talakad ia bout 29 KM from T Narasipura and 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.

KSRTC buses are available fro T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Chozha inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Sri Janardana Temple at Malingi or Tadi Malingi, near Kollegal, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

It was learnt that, there is also an another 11^th century Chozha period temple in dilapidated condition in the same village Tadimalingi on the south bank of river Kaveri. The Village Tadimalingi is just opposite to Talakadu. When Mr John had shown the picture of this temple  to the villagers,  nobody could identify. Finally the same auto driver who guided us to the Sri Mahalingeshwara temple came to our rescue and send a person to show to us.

The temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Janardana. Only the temple up to the ceiling exists and completely hidden under the  thick vegetation growth on it.  The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and an open / porch mandapam. The is no murthis inside the temple. The Pillars are very simple with simple capital / pothyal. The out side earth was covered up to jagathy and the sanctum was built with pathabanda adhistanam.

As per the Tamil inscriptions the temple was built during 10th century Rajaraja-I. As per the inscription the place was renamed as Jananathapura after the victory of Talakad. The inscription speaks about the donation given to the temple for burning perceptual lamp. During Chozha period an agraharam was also established on the banks of river Kaveri.

A stone chekku is also found near the temple with partially visible Chozha period inscription. Hope this might have been used to extract oil to burn lamp in the temple.

HOW TO REACH:

Tadimalingi is on the way  from Talakadu to Kollegal and about a KM off main road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

                                                        Outer Corridor

 Simple pillar and capital (Pothyal) 

 Ashta mangala symbols - Kumbh and Lamp in the makara thorana of the niche 

 Chozha King Rajaraja-I inscription

 Stone Chekku ( Grinder or the oil extractor)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple / Mahalingeshwara Temple, Malingi or Tadi Malingi, Near Kollegal, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

After Talakadu Visit, on the way to Kaliyuru ( where the Chozha’s victory memorial tablet or the Hero Stone is found ) Mr John  told that there are two Chozha period  Temples at Malingi otherwise called as Tadimalingi. This Village is on the south bank of river Kaveri. It was told that this place was once called as Maavilangai which latter turned to Malingi. ( Tadi means edge in kannada, in this case edge of river Kaveri ). When we are about to return without able to locate the Shiva temple, an auto driver guided us to this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Mahalingesvara

Some of the important details are..

The temple is facing east in the midst of houses of Malingi village without any proper approach. There is no proper entrance  and  entrance arch to this temple. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is of pathabanda athistanam. The artha mandapam pillars are found cute with simple capital or pothyal. The niches are empty with out any koshta moorthams.  There is no vimana found above the sanctum.

In the Antarala, the remains of saptamatrikas group of Varahi,  Brahmi, Maheswari, Indrani and Veerabhadra. Jyeshta Devi image ( not a fine finished and without big belly ) is also in the antarala.

The period of the temple built is not known, but an early Chozha’s  Kali icon was mentioned in a middle Chozhas book written by S R Balasubramaniam. Inscriptions are found on the sanctum wall and kumudam of the mandapam. The inscriptions belongs to 1042 AD, Rajendran –I period starts with his title 'Thirumanni valara" - திரு மன்னி வளர- speaks about the donation made to this temple.  The temple had undergone renovations during the recent years.

Rajendra-I, inscription

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

There is no fixed time, but the key is available with the nearby house.

HOW TO REACH:

Tadimalingi is on the way  from Talakadu to Kollegal and about a KM off main road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE     :CLICK HERE

 A koshtam with out images 

 Pillars Mandapam Pillars with simple capital

 Jyeshta devi

 Inscriptions on the floor

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at T. Narasipura/ Tirumakudalu Narasipura, near Mysore, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

This Shiva temple is on the north banks of river Kaveri at the junction of the three rivers Kaveri, Kabini and Swasthika. Hence this place is called as Tirumakudalu Narasipura, in short T Narasipura.

The presiding deity : Sri Agastheswara

Consort                  : Sri Purnamangaia-Kamakshi 

Some of the important details are …

The temple is facing east with a 4 tier Rajagopuram on north. Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and palipeda are at the front. A stucco Nandhi is also there on an elevated plane. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. There are no koshta moorthams around sanctum. The moolavar vimana is in globe shape, with a big nasi on east side. The Rajagopuram was built in dravidian style with stucco images of lakshmi Narasimha, Shiva with Parvathi, etc on the top tier. The rajagopuram was supported by wooden columns from inside.

As per the legend, the sage Agasthiya asked Hanuman to bring Shiva Linga fro Kasi to worship on the banks of river Kaveri. When the Hanuman didn’t turned up to the correct time, the sage Agasthiya made Shiva Linga from the sand and pooja was performed.The Shiva linga also called as “Saikata-linga” ie formed of sand with a cavity containing water on it, believed to represent the Ganges. When the water is filled in the cavity the excess water flows through an aperture below called ‘Nabhi’ or navel of the Linga.  A separate sannadhis are there for Hanuman with the Shiva Linga, Someshvara and Markandyeshvara linga along with the Hanumantheshvara and Gargyeshvara linga form the “Pancha-lingas”. Kumbhamela is performed once in every three years.

 Padabandha adhistanam

As per the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage, Bangalore, this Agastheswarar temple was constructed during 10 to 11^th century by Chozhas and patronized by the latter kings like Gangas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara dynasty and Mysore Wodeyars. The temple is under reconstruction and dismantling was in progress with proper identification during our visit. Seen the basement of the mandapam and sanctums are filled with river sand, during earlier construction.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the Mysore to Kollegal road, about 34 KM from Mysore  and 150 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 The dismantled pillars 

The inside view of Rajagopuram

The wooden columns supports the Rajagopuram

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---