History Talakadu

close view of shrine , mantapa (hall) outer wall @ vaidyeshvara temple

the origin of town lost in antiquity; 1 tradition name derived 2 kirāta twin brothers, tala , kādu, who, cutting down tree saw wild elephants worshiping, discovered contained image of shiva, , elephants rishis transformed. tree being miraculously restored, obtained mōksha , place named tala-kādu, translated sanskrit dala-vana. 2 stone images declared represent brothers pointed out in front of temple veerabadra swamy. in later age, rāma said have halted here on expedition lanka.

the earliest authentic mention of city of talekād or talakādu, in sanskrit dalavana-pura, in connection ganga line of kings. harivarma, has been assigned find place (247-266 a.d) was, according old chronicle, installed @ skandapura (said gajalhatti, in coimbatore country, near moyār flows bhavāni), resided in great city of dalavanapura in karnāta-dēsa. thenceforward talkād became capital these powerful sovereigns , there subsequent kings of line crowned.

at beginning of 11th century, gangas succumbed chōlas, captured talkād , gave name of rājarājapura. hundred years later taken hoysala king vishnuvardhana, drove chōlas out of mysore. after time find talkād composed of 7 towns , 5 mathas or monastic establishments. town of māyilangi or malingi, on opposite side of river, large place, , had name of jananāthapura. down middle of 14th century, remained possession of hoysalas, , passed hands of feudatory of vijayanagar sovereigns, line appears known of sōma-rāja.

curse of talakadu

in 1610 conquered mysore rāja under following circumstances. tirumala-rāja, called srī ranga rāya, representative of vijayanagar family @ seringapatam (srirangapatna), being afflicted incurable disease, came talkād purpose of offering sacrifices in temple of vaidyēsvara. second wife alamelamma left in charge of government of srirangagapattanam ; she, hearing husband on point of death, after left talkād object of seeing him before died, handing on srirangapattanam , dependencies rāja wodeyar of mysore, dynasty ever since retained them. appears rāja wodeyar had been desirous of possessing jewels property of rāni, , being unable obtain them, , eager seize @ pretext, levied army , proceeded against rani. rāni alamelamma thereupon went banks of cauvery, , throwing in jewel, drowned herself opposite mālangi, @ same time uttering three-fold curse,- let talakād become sand ; let mālangi become whirlpool ; let mysore rājas fail beget heirs. latter part continues affect royal family.

talakadu tagged curse called “curse of talakadu” alamelamma on wodeyar dynasty (erstwhile maharajas) of mysore.

the talakadu curse has established in folklore miracle since part of 16th century because of 2 strange events visible date: (i) talakadu, historically vibrant city, being submerged under sand dunes several meters deep, , (ii) mysore royal family have faced problem of having rightful heir throne since 17th century. both these events linked apparent curse pious lady (alamelamma) have defied logic. based on data diverse sources , field studies, k. n. ganeshaiah has reconstructed possible chronology of events of acclaimed miracle. ganeshaiah argues talakadu phenomenon represents ecological disaster unintentionally wrought on vibrant civilization @ place. in sense, curse per se intelligently inserted story set overlay. using example, ganeshaiah discusses possible process through miracles or myths of kind survive in society.

the curse of talakadu - talakadu maralagi, malangi maduvagi, mysooru arasarige makkalagadirali - female alamelamma cursed way. (translation- )may talakadu filled sand, malangi whirlpool , mysore kings shall not have offsprings )

the following known curse of talkād, in original:-

talkādu maralaāgi.
mālingi maduvaāgi
mysuru dhorege makkalagade hōgali.
(ತಲಕಾಡು ಮರಳಾಗಿ; ಮಾಲಿಂಗಿ ಮಡುವಾಗಿ, ಮೈಸೂರು ದೊರೆಗೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳಾಗದೆ ಹೋಗಲಿ!)

the old city talkād buried beneath hills of sand stretching mile in length, tops of 2 pagodas being visible. sand hills used advance upon town @ rate of 9 or 10 feet year, principally during south-west monsoon , pressed close on 3 sides. inhabitants of talkād forced abandon houses , retreat further inland. town, however, increasing in population, owing rich wet cultivation in neighbourhood, derived mādhavamantri anicut , channel. more thirty temples, stated, beneath sand, kírti nārāyana temlpe has been excavated. imposing temple left uncovered sand of vydyanatheshwara temple.

in part of last century 2 temples Ānandēsvara , gaurisankara, unearthed. 4 fragmentary records found on outer walls of pātālēsvara temple. 1 of these old inscription in kannada of ganga period, others being in tamil. Ānandēsvara temple said have been built 1 chidānandasvāmi, contemporary of haidar. story related of svāmi once crossed cauvery in full flood seated on plantain leaf , haidar witnessed miracle honoured him , made grant of land temple founded him. kannada inscription @ gaurisankara temple tells temple built during reign of mysore king chikka-dēva-rāja-wodeyar (1672–1704).

hoysala ruler, vishnuvardhana, conquered gangas , talakadu. built impressive vijayanarayana chennakesava temple @ belur.

some other legends

several other interesting legends surround shrine. believed ascetic somadatta headed out siddharanya kshetra talakadu worship shiva. having been killed wild elephants en route, , disciples re-incarnated wild elephants , worshipped shiva in form of tree @ talakadu.

two hunters tala , kada, believed have struck tree axe find blood gushing forth, , upon bidding of heavenly voice, dressed wound of tree tree s leaves , fruits. tree healed, , hunters became immortal. since shiva believed have healed himself through incident, referred vaidyeshwara. panchalingas here associated legend.

talakadu today

a view of talkad

this sleepy little town @ epicenter of of latest advances in horticulture , wine making. referred bangalore s gourmet valley name cauvery valley, still secret many chefs choose not share. fine wines, exotic 0 pesticide fresh produce, artisan cheese , diverse culinary experiences changing once sleepy hamlet.