Click to play videoTalakkad: The five Shiva temples in Talakkad have always been submerged in sand. And the ancient legend revolving around them begins with Srirangaraya, a local chieftain.
“The religious belief is that Srirangaraya was the Vijayanagar representative from Srirangapatna. When Srirangarayan died, Raja Wodeyar was established as the ruler. Srirangaraya's wife Alamelamma was a devotee of Ranganath, and had lots of jewellery to add on idols for temple festivities. Raja wodeyar asked Alamelamma to hand over the jewellery, but she was adamant and refused,” says a resident of Talakkad, S R Thathachar.
Alamelamma instead committed suicide by jumping into River Cauvery. But locals believe before dying, she cursed the town - Talakadu Maralagili, malangi maduvagali, wodeyar doreyarige makkalagidirali (May Talakad be filled with sand, may Malangi become a whirlpool, May the Wodeyars never have children).
Strangely, it's all come true. But is there a scientific explanation for this?
“There must have been geological movements. One thing we can make out from satellite photos, near muduthere, is that the river hit the hills. But scientifically, there's no explanation for so much sand to come here, no origin for this sand,” says Geo-technical engineer, Dr V V S Rao
Ever since this happened, temple authorities in Talakkad have conducted the Panchalingadarshana festival, which takes place every seventh or the 13th year.
During this time the temples are cleared of sand and thrown open by the archaeology department.
Meanwhile authorities are expecting around two lakh people, mostly believers, who will be visiting the festival this year.
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