Weekend Getaways Towards Kanakapura

Sangam & Mekedatu are about 100 kms from Bangalore on the Kanakpura road. About 70kms down the Kanakpura road, there is a left turn that takes you to Sangam. Sangam is the confluence of river Kaveri and Akravathi.

Athe point of confluence, the ground is rather flat and during summer days (when the water level is low), you can just walk across the river. It provides a good place for one day picnic.

A little after Sangam (after crossing the river) is Mekedatu where Kaveri passes through a deep gorge. At some places, the rocks bridge the river such that a goat can leap across the river. Hence the name Meke (meaning goat) Datu (meaning leap). Mekedatu offers a very beautiful sight of natural rock cuts. In summers, the area can be very hot. But the river water provides good respite from the heat.

Talakadu (Talakad) is a small town on the left bank of Kaveri river. Most part of Talakadu, which once had over 30 temples, is buried under sand.

It is amazing to find only this part of the land covered with sand dunes replicating a desert. The sand is also useless as a construction material.

Talakadu is famous for Vaidyanatheswara temple and four more Shiva temples, which together form 'Pancha-Lingas'.  A fair 'panchalinga darshana' is held once in 12 years and attracts huge number of devotees.

Kaveri river which flows near Talakadu takes a sharp bend and gets wider. Some local ferry rides can be taken with risk.

Curse of Talakadu

The reason for the sand dunes is attributed to a folklore story of a pious woman, Alamelamma, who cursed the once vibrant and dynamic town of Talakadu to be buried under sand.

How to reach Talakadu

Talakadu is just three hours by road from Bangalore, enroute to Mysore. It is about 130 kms kms from Bangalore. One can take the Kanakapura road or the Mysore road to reach Talakad.

Bangalore-Maddur-Malavalli-proceed towards Kollegal->(take a right to reach)Talakad (22 kms from Malavalli cross)

Or

Bangalore -> Kanakapura->Malavalli->Talakad

From Mysore ->T.Narasipura(25kms)-> Hemmige(10kms)->Talakad

Buses are available from Bangalore and Mysore

Food and accommodation at Talakadu

Food is not available at Talakadu, though there are some small eateries near the temple premises. Resorts are available at Mudukutore and nearby places.

Places near Talakad

Somanathpur, Mudukutore and Mysore are close to Talakad and can be covered in a single day's trip.

Mudukuthore (Mudukutore) is a pilgrim centre situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. Mudukuthore is a quiet village with a backdrop of a hillock called Somagiri.

It is one of the five temples that are part of the Panchalingadarshana held at Talakd once every 12 years. The five temples viz., Sri Kshethra Vaideshwara, Sri Pathaleshwara, Sri Maruleshwara, Sri Arakeshwara and Sri Mudukutore Mallikarjuneshwara are believed to be 'Pancha-lingas' and thus have become famous.

During January-February a big festival for a week will be organized where selling of cattles and other items required for agriculture take place.

How to reach Mudukuthore

Mudukuthore is located at a distance of 60 km from Mysore, 25 km from Somnathapur, 5 km from T.Narsipur and is close to Talakad

Only bus transportation is available. Both Karnataka state government (KSRTC) and private buses available.

Food and accommodation at Mudukutore

Few small eateries are available at Mudukuthore and Talakadu. Few private resorts are available near T. Narsipura and Mudukuthore. Rooms can be booked through KSTDC.

Places near Mudukuthore

Somanathpur (26kms), Talakadu (4kms), Shivanasamudra and Mysore(60) are very close to Mudukutore