Pancha Linga Shrine
There are five Shiva shrines on the banks of river Cauvery, which flows in all directions here. Devotees take a holy dip at the Theerthas and worship at the shrines of Lord Vaidyeshwara, built by Vijayanagar rulers in Dravidian style, Arkeshwara, Vasukeeshwara, Maruleshwara and Mallikarjuna. While the Vaidyeshwara temple is clearly visible above the ground, the other four are lying partly buried under sand, which is removed from time to time. Sandstorm is a strange phenomenon here. These five shrines denote the five faces of Lord Shiva. Pancha Linga Darshan, which falls once in 12 years in accordance with a rare astronomical conjunction, is marked by major festivities attracting a large number of pilgrims.
The Panchalinga darshana in Talakad: In honor of the five Shiva temples in Talakad, a fair is held once every 12 years called the Panchalinga Darshana. The Panchalinga Darshana is held on a new moon day in the month of Karthika (November/December) when two stars conjoin, the stars of Khuha Yoga and Vishaka. The last Panchalinga Darshana held in the year 2006.
Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple - Overview
The Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple is one of the Panchalinga Darshana Temples in and around Talakad. The other temples are Sri Kshetra Vaideshwara, Sri Pathaleshwara, Sri Maruleshwara, and Sri Arakeshwara. Along with Sri Mudukuthore Mallikarjuneshwara, they form the five Shiva Lingas of the Panchalinga Darshana.
The Panchalinga Darshana usually takes place once every 12 years. The exact date is based on astrological calculation. The festival starts simultaneously in all five temples. Mudukuthore is also famous for the week-long agricultural fair held here every year during January and February.
Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple - Mythology
It is believed that Arjuna, the Pandava, stayed here for some time. He installed the Shiva Linga and offered Puja with Mallika (Jasmine) flowers. That is why the shrine is known as Mallikarjuna or Mallikarjuneshwara.
Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple - Facts Mudukuthore is a tranquil little village mostly famous for the Mallikarjuna temple on the Somagiri hillock.
Mudukuthore means, roughly, ‘turn and flow forward'. It has been so named because the Kaveri River takes a turn here before continuing on her forward journey. The view of the river is an added attraction to this place. The small Somagiri hill is just 200 ft high, and vehicles can go up half the way. From that point, you have to climb up a 100 steps to reach the Mallikarjuna Temple. Once you reach the top, you see two white Nandhis and then you enter a spacious courtyard with a tall Deepasthamba. The Main Sanctum houses a Shiva Linga, and it is a very important shrine as it is one of the five Panchalinga temples of Talakad. The walls of the temples are decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the epics.
Beside the main temple is a shrine dedicated to Bhramarambha Devi. A small pathway near the temple leads to the Bettali Maramma Temple. Across the river is the Jaladhama Resorts. You have to take a coracle to cross the river and reach the resort. The resort offers several water sport activities.
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