Kaushik Patowary
Jan 8, 2021
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The ancient city of Talakadu situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, about 45 km east of Mysore, was once the capital of the Western Ganga dynasty which ruled over Karnataka in southern India about a thousand years ago. The once flourishing city with over 30 temples now lies in ruins, devoured by sand when the Kaveri river shifted course. The loss of Talakadu is an unfortunate ecological disaster, but there are many who believe that an ancient curse is to blame.
An excavated temple in Talakadu. Photo:
The city of Talakadu was first mentioned in connection to the Western Ganga dynasty, whose king Harivarman made Talakadu his capital in around 390 CE. The town’s origin is not known, but according to a popular lore, Talakadu got its name from two Kirāta twin brothers, Tala and Kādu, who, after cutting down a tree they saw wild elephants worshiping, discovered that it contained an image of Lord Shiva, and that the elephants were actual