Talakadu (Talakad): Beauty Underneath

Talakadu is a small town on the banks river Kaveri. Its about 180+ KMs from Bangalore. Talakadu is known for its temples burried under the sand dunes.
According to a legend curse of a woman "May the town of talakadu be always covered with sand, may the kings of mysore always remain without heir " caused the down fall of the this capital city of Ganga Dynasty (350-999 AD). In the above image you can see remains of main temple gopuram.

Each and every part of the original temple are numbered and staked. ASI is in the process of re-arranging the stones to get the original glory back


According to my guide there are around 30+ temples which are buried under the sand. The excavation process by ASI is under progress. We visited the sacred panchalingas (5 shiva temples) which are in a stone throw distance from each other.

Talakadu is also a picnic spot for kids and families. We also enjoyed in the shallow water.

I spent some time taking these pictures of teppas. Teppa (Kannada) is big basket made up of bamboo and then covered by plastic and tar to make water proof. They are mainly used in riveres where the current is low. Its a low cost alternative for a bot. And it can carry upto 8 people at once if the weight is balanced properly.

I took the below picture from my teppa (floating plate!?!)

Route Map for Talkadu from Bangalore (click on the image to open Google Maps).Bangalore -> Ramnagar -> Channapatna-> take left turn -> Malavalli and then follow the sign boards.

19 Responses

  1. Prashanth M says:

    Nice photos… it’s been a long time since I visited Talakad.. time to hit the roads :)

  2. swarup says:

    hi!!! i want to know how much distance we may cover if we have to travel talakadu, gaganachukki and bharachukki. if possible can u mail me the route and distance from bangalore….

  3. Ganesh Ram AnandV says:

    Hi Thejesh,

    Good Posts. Presently we are planning for a trip to talakadu. Can you please send me a email about other places i can see in and around Talakadu. And also an approximate expenses it will take for 1 person.

    Thanks in anticipation.

    Cheers,
    Ganesh

  4. Thejesh GN says:

    @Ganesh
    You can go to Somanath temple, Shivavana Samudra which are near by. It might cost around Rs600 for a days trip to these places depending on mode of transport.

  5. srini says:

    Buddy wanted to get more details on Talakkad. I plan to visit tomorrow, so wanted to get some feedback. I lost your cell number… by the way, I worked with you in Infy TFG and moved out

  6. Thejesh GN says:

    I remember you Srini. I was out of city…What more details you want?

    You can go there and hire a guide. He will take you around.

  7. uma t.m says:

    hi..good job n nice pics….

  8. raajagopal says:

    thanks for information , i am planning to this month

  9. Radhika G R says:

    pics are damn good………..
    Its informative…………..

  10. chitra says:

    hi!!! i want to know how much distance we may cover if we have to travel talakadu, gaganachukki and bharachukki. if possible can u mail me the route and distance from bangalore….

  11. karthik says:

    Need police security in Talakadu

    As local peoples giving torcher to tourists.

    in river while swimming.

    • anamika says:

      hi…
      In talakadu local peoples are not giving torcher to tourists. In that river so many people died.. so they will not allow tourists..

  12. karthik says:

    tourists be careful

  13. Prabhudev says:

    Hi Tejas,

    Nice Photos. We are planning for a picnic trip to talakadu. Can you please send me a email about other places we can see in and around Talakadu.

  14. KSTDC is operating an interesting day tour to talakadu during 16th to 21st november, which is the last week of kartik month according to hindu calender. Details of KSTDC package is available at http://karnatakatourism.com/touredge/searchResults_site.asp?xDestinationSearch=kstdc

  15. @Prabhudev : KSTDC package tour to talakadu can be availed from 16th to 21st november. for more details log onto http://karnatakatourism.com/touredge/searchResults_site.asp?xDestinationSearch=kstdc

  16. Karthik says:

    Nice snaps :)

    we visited Talkadu a few months back..

    21 people , 11 bikes , 1/3rd of our class :D

    Let freedom ride \m/

    http://prabhukarthik03.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/22talakadu-221010/

    http://theloapers.blogspot.com/2010/11/22talkad-221010.html

  17. Rakesh says:

    Hi,
    I am planning for a friends and family day trip to Talakadu. Just wanted to know if we can do cooking ourselves there if we carry vessels, grocery, Gas etc. ?
    Also as Ladies and kids will be there, is there Toilet/Bathrooms are available ?

    Many Thanks in advance for sharing these details, Regards – Rakesh