THE TALE OF TALAKADU:
TALAKADU, the erstwhile capital of the Ganga Dynasty (350-999 CE), once a flourishing city was ruled and conquered over by many dynasties - but now it is a lost forgotten town partially buried under the sands.
Among the temples of Talakadu, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the five Lingams believed to represent the five faces of Shiva.
This Vaidyanatheshwara temple (also spelt Vaidyesvara), the largest, the most intact and ornate of the group bears Ganga-Chola-Hoysala architectural features. Its consecration is assignable to the 9th century with improvements made up to the 16th century. Since, the temple has been expanded and rebuilt over time, the architecture of temple appears to be mixture of many kingdoms.
Two huge Dwarapalakas standing at the entrance to the main shrine welcome us. The doorways are intricately carved and the outer walls too are enriched with sculptures.
The Western Gangas ruled over most part of Mysore region from Gangavadi to Kolar in the later 4th century to 1004 CE. Raja Raja Chola-I captured Talakadu and named it ‘Rajarajapura’.
After hundred years, Talakadu was captured from Cholas by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana (1111-1141CE) in the battle of Talakadu and built KEERTI NARAYANA TEMPLE in 1117 CE (according to the Historian Adam Hardy).
In 1634 it was conquered by Wodeyars of Mysore, from Srī Ranga Raya, the representative of the Vijayanagara Dynasty. The Wodeyar sent his soldiers to seize the jewels of the late ruler’s widow-ALAMELAMMA. While fleeing she is supposed to have jumped into the river Cauvery, cursing the Mysore ruler to remain heirless and Talakadu be filled with Sand.
Talakadu is about 50kms from Mysore, Karnataka.
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