Sand Dunes near Bengaluru? No, I’m not referencing the sand dunes of Rajasthan and Gujarat. If you want to play in sand dunes and not go very far from Bengaluru, read on…
These sand dunes are located between Bengaluru and Mysuru! Talakadu or Talakkad, located on the banks of River Kaveri; is an exciting town with a history of 30 temples buried under the sand. Talakadu is also known for its five sacred temples known as the Panchalinga temples. These temples are dedicated to the deities Lord Shiva and are named after the five different forms of Lord Shiva: Vaidyanatheshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Mallikarjuna, and Channakeshava.
Almost a few decades ago, the temples used to get submerged in sand dunes. Today thanks to the efforts of various departments of the Government of Karnataka, all these temples can be visited around the year. A ritual called "Panchalinga Darshana" is performed every 12 years. The town has cultural and historical significance because of the rule of many ancient dynasties, such as the Ganga and the Vijayanagara Empire. It also has a close connection to the Kaveri River, which has played a vital role in shaping the region's history and culture.
One of the most exciting aspects of Talakadu is its association with a legendary curse. According to local folklore, a curse was cast on the town, which is said to be the reason for its barren and sandy landscape. The curse is believed to have been placed by a queen named Alamelamma. The curse traces to 1612, when Raja Wodeyar took over Mysore, then under the Vijayanagara Empire, by kicking out Tirumalaraja. After the change of the king, Tirumalaraja's wife Alamelamma took all the royal ornaments. According to historians, Alamelamma was upset about what she considered was her husband's unceremonious ouster from the ruler's chair.
Wodeyar-1 sent men to get the jewels back from Almelamma. On hearing this she collected the treasures in her sari and uttered a curse before committing suicide in Kaveri River to avoid capture. In Kannada, she cursed - “Talakadu maralagali, Malangi maduvagali, Mysuru dhorege makkalilladhe hogali”, translating to ‘May Talakadu be in sand, may Malangi become a whirlpool, and may the king of Mysuru be Heirless’. Wait a minute… why would a habitant of Talakadu curse her place? She was disappointed that her people did not help her.
All her curses have come true and even today Mysore Kings have adopted sons and are not natural heirs to their legacy. Before I sign off, I need a favor from you. We are aware of the reason why Alamelamma cursed Talakadu and the Wadiyar family. But, why did she curse Malangi? If you know about or find out about it, let me know in the comments section.