Are you confused with a lot of terminologies I used? Coracle? River Beach?

Well, this blog covers all of these points promising a perfect adventure in Talakadu.

Adventure and fun beckon at Talakadu Beach and Talakadu river. A perfect one day trip that can be combined with Shivanasamudra Falls and Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura, riding a coracle is part of the must do things in Talakadu.

ALL ABOUT TALAKADU

Where is Talakadu Beach?

The ancient town of Talakadu resides on the banks of River Kaveri in Mysore District. The town that is still recovering from the curse of a queen from the 16th century has seen light in the dark with many engaging activities for pilgrims and tourists who visit Talakadu temples.

According to a myth Talakadu town has over thirty temples that lay buried beneath the sand.

What is a River Beach?

Talakad or Talakadu has a river beach, the only one in Karnataka. Although a seashore is most commonly associated with the word ‘beach’, beaches are also found by lakes and large rivers.

In Talakad the beach is formed on the banks of the Kaveri river which is why it is known as Talakadu Beach.

What is a Coracle?

Coracles, also known as ‘Teppa’ (ತೆಪ್ಪ) in Kannada, are round boats traditionally used to ferry people across rivers. Coracles have been in existence for many centuries and are used in many parts of Asia such as India and Vietnam as well as in parts of Europe. In Karnataka, coracles have been used from the times of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The coracles in Talakadu are made of bamboo and plastic. About 6-7 tourists along with a boatman can ride a coracle. Riding these coracles earns a livelihood for the ‘Ambigas‘ (boatmen). With no railings on the coracle, it sure is interesting riding the coracle at Talakadu beach especially when the Boatman swirls the boat 360 degrees! Fancy an adventure, do you?

The Legend of Talakadu

Well bespoke of several myths and mysteries, the one licit evidence is that the name Talakadu derived from two twin brothers – Tala and Kadu. One day, they saw wild elephants paying homage to a tree that they had cut down. When they observed the event closely, the tree resembled an image of Shiva and the elephants were the disguises of the rishis. In an instant, the tree was miraculously restored to its original. The event made both the brothers and the transformed rishis obtain mōksha. Later, the place was named Tala-kādu owing to the two brothers, or Dala-van in Sanskrit. 

The Buried Temples of Talakadu | Talakadu curse

Tirumala-Raja, a king in Vijayanagar dynasty at Srirangagapattanam was ill. He travelled to Talakad to offer sacrifices at the Vaidyanatheshwara Temple. Meanwhile, his second wife, Queen Alamelamma went after him to Talakad to see him for the last time as she knew that it was her husband’s last. 

Before she began her journey, she handed over her charge to Raja Wodeyar of Mysore who was obsessed with the queen’s jewels. It so happened that the queen took the jewels along with her. Noticing that, Raja Wodeyar who decided to possess the jewels at any cost summoned his army to attack the queen. 

The queen went to the bank of Kaveri river, threw the jewels in the water and drowned herself in the river uttering a curse that goes “Talakadu maralagali, Malangi maduvagali, Mysuru dhorege makkalilladhe hogali” meaning “May Talakadu be filled with Sand; Malangi be a whirlpool and let the Mysuru Raja never have an heir.”

The curse came into effect in Talakad. The Mysore royals have had trouble in appointing their heir to the throne and Talakadu became a sandhill. 

CORACLE RIDE AT TALAKADU BEACH

Talakadu Beach is 135 km away from Bangalore city making it a perfect weekend trip from Bangalore.

Talakadu beach is a short ride away from the Talakadu temples. After parking in a dedicated area, one has to walk for about 800 meters through a Chowpatty area to reach the beach. The Chowpatty area is full of eateries selling street food like Maggi, chai, fresh coconut water, boiled corn, lemon soda and many other things. 

Be aware of monkeys snatching whatever you buy the very same instant!

After wading through all the vendors, you can reach the beach where coracles wait to take you on a ride. One coracle can easily accommodate 5-6 people.

Since I visited in monsoon, I couldn’t really see the beach as the water levels were up. However, coracle rides were still operational. I was too scared to ride one looking at the water level and the absence of life jackets made my decision quite easy. 

However, I saw many families taking the plunge and going on rides. I asked a lady who had recently got down if it was worth going and she said ‘no’ because the ride was very short as compared to the longer rides during other seasons.

Talakadu Coracle ride: Price & Duration

Coracle rides in Talakadu cost between INR 250 to INR 400 per person depending upon the season. The rides are cheaper in monsoons due to few takers but are on the higher side during summer and winters. Prices also jump up on weekends and festival days when more tourists arrive. 

The duration of the Coracle ride in the Kaveri river is approximately 20-25 minutes.

Best time to take a coracle ride on Talakadu Beach

Coracles ply between 8 am and 6 pm every day of the week.

The best time to take a ride is either early in the day or in the evening. It is pleasant to ride during those times and you will be able to enjoy the ride and the soothing river waters. However, it may get crowded at these times and you may have to wait longer.

Entry fees

There are no entry fees to Talakadu beach and Talakadu temples.

Where To Stay in Talakadu | Resorts in Talakadu

While there are not many options in Talakadu, a recently opened resort is a perfect getaway to extend the stay in Talakadu. Tucked away amidst the backwaters of the Kaveri river, Jaladhama Resort is surrounded by an unpolluted natural environment and is located at Talakadu. 

Another option is a Hotel near Shivanasamudra falls is KSTDC – Hotel Maurya. The hotel offers 4 A/C double rooms and is budget-friendly. Advance reservation can be made by contacting: 8970650053 or by email: bharachukki@karnatakaholidays.net

Where to eat at Talakadu

If you do not like the street food options at the Talakadu Chowpatty, there are many family-run roadside eateries that serve authentic Dakshin Karnataka cuisine just outside the beach. Just stop by any of them and relish the delicious and fresh vegetarian breakfast or meals. I had an epic Udipi meal here.

Other things to do in Talakadu

The impeccable landscape of Talakadu can keep a visitor busy with ancient temples, the sandy area, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Temples in Talakadu 

Talakadu is associated with temples buried in the sand after Rani Alamelamma’s curse. While most temples are beneath the dunes of sand, some sites such as stone pillars, squares, and other objects lay scattered around the excavated area. At present, the archaeologists have successfully unearthed the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara, and Mallikarjuna temples. 

These temples are the five Lingas representing the five faces of Shiva which is why the temples are known as the Talakadu Panchalinga temples.

Play volleyball at Talakadu Beach

Thanks to the sand, there are options to play handball or volleyball. There are nets put up and anyone can play here. Just get a ball and get going.

Picnic at Talakadu Chowpatty

With eateries offering delicious street food, it is only fair to have a picnic. You can get a picnic basket full of your favourite things or order from one of the eateries here. There are ample shaded sit-outs to picnic or have a birthday celebration!

How to Reach Talakadu from Bangalore/Mysore

By road: 

Talakadu is situated approximately 45 km from Mysore and 185 km from Bangalore. Government buses are available from Mysore to T. Narsipur bus stand. Private auto-rickshaws and shared cabs ply between T. Narsipur and Talakadu villages.

By train:

Mandya and Mysore have closed railway stations. From there, government-run buses, shared auto-rickshaws and cabs are available to reach Talakadu beach. 

By flight:

The nearest Airports are the Mysore Domestic Airport or Bangalore Airport. From there, government-run buses, and private cabs are available to reach Talakadu temple. 

Sustainable tips for visiting Talakadu Beach

• Carry reusable and refillable water bottles.
• Do not litter – It is perfectly okay to snack near the beach and at the chowpatty, but do not litter the pristine areas. Use a trash bin to dispose of snack pouches or pet bottles.
• Respect nature – Though you may get the most perfect shot and a thousand likes for the photo, do not in any way harm the natural formations of the waterfalls or trees for a vantage point.

Read More posts from Karnataka

• Aihole – The ancient temple town
• Mahakuta temples of Karnataka
• Rock-cut Badami cave temples
• All about Belgaum
• Things to do in Nirvana Beach, Kumta

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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Popular for its walls, this temple has sculptures that are lavishly crafted with incredible details of deities, motifs and sculptures from everyday life. Some carvings also depict scenes from Hindu literature such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and the childhood of Lord Krishna. The fact that it has stood for so many centuries is a testament to the amazing engineering and artistry of the bygone era. I combined my Shivanasamudra falls trip to visit this temple and marvel at the beautiful carvings.

About Somanathapura, Chennakesava Temple, Mysore

The Chennakesava Temple of Somanathapura was built by the rulers of the Hoysala Dynasty of Karnataka. Just like the Chalukyas who built the rock-cut Badami cave temples, the Hoysalas illustrate the creative skills of the sculptors of that era. The temple has Hindu scriptures moulded in lifelike sculptures from the top to the bottom as well as inside and outside the temple walls. 

The temple is nothing less than an art gallery where over 500 sculptors took part. This ornately chiselled ancient temple of India is nothing less than an architectural masterpiece.

While most people believe that the Somanathapura temple is a Shiva temple, contrary to the assumption, the temple is dedicated to three different forms of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. The preceding deities of the temple are Keshava, Venugopala and Janadarna. 

While Chennakeshava Temple Belur is bigger and more intricate in its design than Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura, both are the finest examples of Hoysala Architecture. There are over 10 temples in Karnataka itself, with Hoysala architecture.

Somanathapura Temple History

The temple is named after its builder. Built in the 13th century by the General of the Hoysala kingdom, the Somnathpur Keshava Temple was constructed by Somanatha Dandnayaka. The information about the sculptors, funds and the kings is found on an inscription placed under the entrance tower of the temple called Gopuram. 

Somanatha created an Agrahara (granting of lands to the Brahmins) and allotted the fund for the construction of the temple. Apart from this Keshava temple, he also built other temples in this region such as Panchlinga temple, Lakshminarsimha and Yoganarayana Temple. Unfortunately, all of these are in ruins right now. 

Somnathpur temple was destroyed during the Mughal attacks. The first attack was by Malik Kafur, Alauddin Khilji’s general in 1311 and in 1326 Muhammad Bin Tughlaq destroyed the remaining structures. Some parts of the temples were restored by Vijayanagara Kings, later by Wodeyars of Mysuru, and after that by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). 

Due to these attacks, the Somanathapura temple is a non-functional temple.

Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura Architecture

From the entrance, a small garden around the walking path overlooking the temple’s Shikhara makes the path interesting.

After the Gopuram visitors have to climb a couple of steps leading to the main shrine. The entire temple is elevated on a star-shaped structure called the mandapa on which the entire temple is built. Be prepared to get bowled with the intricate Hoysala architecture. If you love architecture and history, Do read about the cradle of Indian temple architecture at Aihole – The ancient temple town.

Once those steps are climbed, visitors should start walking toward the left just like a Pradakshina or Parikrama. The stories on the wall are sequenced in a clockwise manner. You can either start with the Parikrama or with the main shrine. There are no rules here as no Puja takes place. I started with the Parikrama as the sculptures were too alluring for me. 

Mahadwara (Entrance of the temple)

The Mahadwara is a typical Hoysala style. Built on a level the same as the main shrine, the Mahadwara is a square mandapa. This temple is built in Vesara style (a mix of Nagara – North Indian style and Dravidian South Indian style.

Dwarpalakas 

The temple has two Dwarpalaks Jaya and Vijaya. Both resemble the main deity Keshava. They also have four hands holding different symbolic weapons of Lord Vishnu. However, most of their hands and other parts are now broken, and the existing structure tells of its ancient glory.

Sculptures on Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura

The exterior wall of the temple has sculptures all over it. In order to give it a good symmetry, the sculptures are divided into horizontal strips with each of them depicting an element of religion, culture or nature. 

The Elephant strip

Probably the most common animal adorning temple walls in India is the elephant. The elephant strip is at the base which symbolizes the strength of the Hoysala Kingdom. It is interesting to notice that none of these elephants looks the same. Talk about animation in stone!

The Horse strip

Above the elephants have been staged the horses, another important animal for a strong army. The horse riders seem to be carrying different objects suggesting casual riding by the soldiers, travellers and common men.  On the right wall, horses are replaced by camels in some blocks.

Natural Elements strip

Nature plays an important part in all Hindu temples and the sculptors have certainly taken inspiration from the rich flora and fauna of the region. The elements include an imaginary bird surrounded by creepers and flowers.

The Mythological Stories strip

The stories from Hindu Mythology such as Ramayana, Bhagavad Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Mahabharat are carved into the fourth strip of the exterior wall of Chennakesava Temple Karnataka. Some of the important stories carved are of Dasharatha performing Yagya for the heirs from Ramayana, indoor sports of Kushti being practised by the students, stories of Lord Krishna stealing the butter, cloths of the gopis and the killing of Putna has also been engraved in detail.

The Makara strip

Makara is a mythological creature having body parts of different animals. This creature has the mouth of a crocodile, the body of a pig, feathers of a peacock, monkey’s eyes, a cow’s ears, the paws of a tiger, and an elephant’s trunk. 

The Peacock strip

The topmost band consists of the figures of peacocks or Mayura. It was supposedly a favourite bird of Krishna. 

Other noteworthy sculptures at Somanathapura temple

Kamasutra sculptures

There are a few sculptures of amorous couples on the expeditor wall of sabha mandapa.

Dancing deities

These are probably the most intricate sculptures of all. These elaborately carved sculptures are majorly the incarnations of Vishnu. Each sculpture is holding something in the hand and has a 

The labyrinthine canopy covers their heads. There are approximately 190 such deities on the outer wall.

Somanathapura Temple Interior

Navaranga

Inside the Navaranga are nine squares as suggested by ancient Hindu texts on temple design. There are perforated screens on the wall so that light can enter during the day.

The CeilingThe ceiling consists of 16 squares, nine in the sabha mandapa and the remaining seven in the extension near the eastern entrance. These are all carved, each different, each with nature motifs and Hindu theology symbolism embedded. Among them is a palm leaves theme, different stages of lotus opening, endless knots symbolizing karma and samsara, one with ‘dancers, musicians, and soldiers withstanding Vishnu and Shiva in various forms.

The GarbhagrihaThe Garbhagriha or the Sanctum Sanctorum has an idol of Chennakeshava. It is not the original idol which is why this is a non-functional temple complex.

The Pillars

The pillars are the iconic hallmark of Hoysala architecture. Out of the total 16 pillars in the hall, 2 are handcrafted with geometric and nature designs on them. The others are chiselled with the help of animals attached to a simple machine. These pillars are a combination of 5 different parts attached together. The bottom square, the chiselled body, lamp holding plate and finally the connector to the ceiling are the main parts of the pillar.

Best time to visit Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura

Timings wise it is ideal to visit it in the early morning to avoid crowds and heat. 

The best time to visit the Keshava temple, Somanathapura is in the winters (November – March). Summers could be difficult for visitors due to heat. Monsoon would still have humidity and make the visit uncomfortable. 

Entry Fee to Somanathapura Keshava Temple

Rs. 25 for Indian adults and Rs. 300 for foreign adults.

Somanathapura Temple Timings

The Somanathapura temple timing is 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and it is open on all days of the week.

How to Reach Somanathapura Keshava Temple from Bengaluru and Mysore

By road

The Somnathpur Temple is 50 km away from Mysore and thus a short ride away. There are a number of private buses that ply between Mysore and Somanathapura. And it is also possible to hire a private taxi or ride a bike.

There are no direct buses from Bangalore to Somanathapura. One either has to come to Mysore or take a car from Bangalore to reach. Somanathapura is 180km from Bengaluru. 

By Air

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is the nearest airport to Somanathapura for international travellers while Mysore Airport is the nearest for domestic travellers.

By Train

The nearest railway station to the Keshava Temple, Mysore is the Mysore railhead. You can get frequent trains from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi to Mysore. From Mysore railway station tourists can avail themselves of taxis to the Somanathapura Keshava Temple.

Hotels in Somanathapura: Where to stay

Accommodation facilities are not available at Somanathapura. It is best to spend the night at Mysore. Some options in Mysore are:

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore

Grand Mercure Mysore 

Southern Star, Mysore 

Where to eat

There are many family-run roadside eateries that serve authentic Dakshin Karnataka cuisine. Just stop by any of them and relish the delicious and fresh vegetarian breakfast or meals.

Places to visit Nearby Somanathapura, Keshava Temple

• Nanjanagud Temples: Lying on the banks of River Kapila, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is historically important as it is believed that the Shivling of the temple was placed by the famous Rishi Gauthama and was also worshipped by Parashurama when he was on his journey to cleanse his sin of killing his mother.
• Talakadu Beach – Located 25 km from Somanathapura, this place lies on the banks of River Cauvery. Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidyanatheswara is worshipped here. The place is also famous for its sand dunes. It is believed that several temples are still buried under the sand dunes. Coracle Ride at Talakadu Beach is extremely popular.
• Ranganatha Temple, Srirangapatna: Located in the Mysore district, this temple was built by the Ganga dynasty of the Vaishnavite cult. The temple showcases a blended architectural style of Hoysala and Vijaynagara temple designs and is a must-visit.

Sustainable travel tips for Chennakesava Temple Somanathapura

• Being an ancient temple, respect the structures by not sitting on them or drawing on them.
• Like every Hindu temple, devotees are not allowed to wear footwear. Please remove footwear outside the temple.
• Do not enter places which are closed off, and always follow the directions given by the temple security.
• Throw your garbage in the dustbins located at the entrance of the temple.

Read More Temple posts with Intricate Sculptures:

• Mahakuta Temples of Karnataka
• Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat
• Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
• Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nashik

Read More Karnataka posts:

• All about Belgaum
• Exploring heritage sites of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal
• Rock-cut Badami Cave Temples
• Things to do in Nirvana Beach, Kumta

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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