Tala Kaveri Temple

Tala Kaveri temple consists of shrines dedicated to Goddess Kaveriamma, Lord Agastheeshwara and Lord Vinayaka. Tala Kaveri temple is situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges at an altitude of 1276 m above the sea level. A visit to Coorg is never complete if one does not go to Bhagamandala and Tala Kaveri, the origin of the river Kaveri. We went to Bhagamandala first which is the confluence or Kudla or Sangama of the three rivers, Tala Kaveri and its tributaries Kanika and Sujyoti Interestingly Sujyoti is largely mythical Bhagamandala comes from the name Sri Bhagandeshwara temple, which houses the deities Bhagandeshwara (Lord Shiva), Subramanya, Vishnu and Ganapathi Known as Bhagundeshwara Kshetra. The Tala Kaveri temple is built in the Kerala style and each sculpture tells a different story. A customary dip in these waters is said to purge you from all negative influences. An inscription here talks about how Bhagamandala was captured by Tipu Sultan who renamed it as Faisalabad and it was retrieved by Doddaveeraja after a fierce battle which lasted for about a week. We move on to the Brahmagiri hills to Talacauvery where the river originates and flows down 800 km down to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu. .The weather changes as the sun retreats as the mist takes over. The entire mountains are enveloped. An enclosure around the spring called Gundige is connected to a small pond .which flows underground and emerges after about a kilometer down the hill. There are shrines above the spring and temples dedicated to Agasthyeshwara and Ganesha. It is believed that the Saptha Rishis had performed penance here to get immortality. The priest informs us that the Agni Kunda can be seen there. A plethora of legends flow down the Cauvery, but the most interesting that we heard is the legend of the river itself. Cauvery prayed to Lord Vishnu that she should become the most sacred of rivers and Vishnu granted her the wish saying that the while Ganga originates from the Lord’s feet, Cauvery will be worn as a garland by the God. It is believed that Ganga flows underground and even cleanses herself in the Cauvery and remains here for a month. Pilgrims flock to Talacauvery in mid-October where the river gives darshan to her devotees. The water from the spring overflows and it is called Tula Sankramana. It is believed to be the rebirth of the river itself and the priests tell us that Goddess Parvati comes down to earth on that day. The holy water is taken home by all pilgrims after a dip in the river.