Tala Kaveri Temple: A must visit when in Coorg

 

Talakaveri is one of the most important holy places of Kodagu(anglicised name Coorg). TalaCauvery is the origin of the holy river Kaveri. It is located on the Brahmagiri hill near a place called Bhagamandala. This pilgrimage is considered very auspicious among all those who reside in Coorg specially the Kodavas. It is said that the holy river Cauvery originated somewhere from this place. The flow is though not prominently visible. There is a tank made at the place which is considered as the origin point of river Kaveri.




Talakaveri kundike. Img courtesy: gingerhomestay.com



The holy spring of Kaveri(Kaveri source)

One small temple is also made exactly near the origin point. A spring comes out from the point of origin which fills up the whole tank. People come here to worship Kaveri matte. The holy spring shown in the image is actually worshipped by the devotees. Some devotees also drop coins in the holy spring pond and make wishes. They believe their wishes are granted by Kaveri matte and they would receive the blessings of Lord Agastheeswara. The water here in the kundike(tank) is considered so auspicious that every year thousands of pilgrims come to take the holy bath on the day of Tula Sankramana someday in the month of October.

The water from this tank then flows underground from where it emerges out (some distance away from the temple) as the main river Cauvery.

History of Talakaveri

Talacauvery is the originating point of the holy river Cauvery. The mythological legend of the origination of this river says that the river Kaveri was held by sage Agasthya in a Kamandalu, a pot shaped container usually used by saints to carry sacred water. While Agastya muni was busy meditating, Lord Ganesha took the form of a crow and tipped the kamandalu. It toppled and river Kaveri poured out and started flowing.

River Kaveri originating point

The crow then took the form of a small boy. Saint Agastya got angry on the little boy and pound on his head. The boy is believed to have escaped and later disappeared. The Lord finally re-appeared in his original form. Realising that he tried to knock down the Lord, Agastya muni knocked his own head with his own clenched fists.

The Talakaveri Temple

Tala Kaveri temple Entrance Gate

As described earlier this place Talacauvery is a pilgrim centre and even has a few temples in the campus. The main temple at Talakaveri is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara which is believed to be the link between the river Kaveri and sage Agastya. Other temples in the campus are of Lord Shiva and Maha Ganapathi. The Talacauvery temple is open to pilgrims for darshan on all days of the week.
Talacauvery temple timings: 6 a.m to 8.30 p.m



TalaKaveri Shiva temple. Img courtesy: Poomale weekly

Usually the complete visit to the talacauvery temple would take around 2 hrs except on the Tula Sankramana day which is one of the biggest Kodava festival celebrated at the Talacauvery temple.
The entry to the Talakaveri temple is free and open all 7 days of the week.