View source for Talakaveri

{{short description| Birth place of River Kaveri}}
{{other uses|Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    =  Talakaveri
| other_name              = 
| settlement_type         = Temple Village
| image_skyline           = Thalakkaveri Temple, Karnataka.jpg
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = Talakaveri - Source of Kaveri
| nickname                = 
| image_map               = 
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = 
| pushpin_map             = Karnataka#India
| pushpin_label_position  = right
| pushpin_map_alt         = 
| pushpin_map_caption     = 
| coordinates             = {{coord|12.385480|N|75.491432|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name        = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Kodagu]]
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| established_date        = 
| founder                 = 
| named_for               = 
| government_type         = 
| governing_body          = 
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_footnotes          = 
| area_rank               = 
| area_total_km2          = 
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m             = 1276
| population_total        = 
| population_as_of        = 
| population_rank         = 
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      = 
| population_footnotes    = 
| demographics_type1      = Languages
| demographics1_title1    = Official
| demographics1_info1     = Kannada
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| postal_code_type        = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code             = 
| registration_plate      = 
| website                 = 
| footnotes               = 
}}

{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name               = Talakaveri Temple 
| image              = File:Talakaveri - Where river Kaveri starts.JPG
| alt          = 
| caption            = Goddess Kaveramma 
| map_type        = 
| map_caption        = 
| coordinates        = 
| other_names        = 
| country            = India
| state              = [[Karnataka]]
| district           = [[Kodagu]]
| location           = [[Brahmagiri (hill), Karnataka|Brahmagiri hills]], [[Bhagamandala]], [[India]]
| elevation_m        = 1276 
| deity      = Kaveramma (Kaveri Matha)
| festivals= Tula Shankramana 
| architecture       = 
| temple_quantity  = 
| monument_quantity= 
| inscriptions       = 
| year_completed         = 
| creator            = 
| website            = 
}}

[[File:Distant View Thala Cauvery Temple Coorg Feb24 A7C 09522.jpg|thumb|Talakaveri gate and temple]]
'''Talakaveri''' or '''Talacauvery''' is the place that is generally considered to be the source of the river [[Kaveri]] and a holy place for many [[Hindus]]. It is located on [[Brahmagiri (hill), Karnataka|Brahmagiri hills]] near Bhagamandala in [[Kodagu district]] (Coorg), in the [[South India]]n [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Karnataka]]. It is located close to the border with [[Kasaragod district]], [[Kerala]]. Talakaveri stands at a height of 1,276 meters above sea level. Despite its traditional status as the source of the Kaveri, there is no permanent visible flow from this place to the main rivercourse, except during the [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] rains.

A tank or {{Transliteration|kn|kundike}} is erected on a hillside, at the place that is said to be the river's origin. It is also marked by a small temple, and the area is frequented by pilgrims. The river originates as a spring feeding this tank, which is considered to be a holy place to bathe on special days. The waters are then said to flow underground to emerge as the [[Kaveri]] river some distance away.  The temple has been renovated extensively, most recently in 2007 by the state government.

On ''Kaveri sankramana'' (colloquially ''changrandi'') day, the first day of ''Tula Masa'' month of the [[Hindu calendar]], which normally falls in mid-October, thousands of pilgrims from neighboring flock to the river's birthplace to witness the rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment. The day is observed across pilgrim towns on the Kaveri's banks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kaladarshana.com/sites/madikeri_royal_tombs/IMG00013.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526185140/http://www.kaladarshana.com/sites/madikeri_royal_tombs/IMG00013.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2017-05-26 |title=Talakaveri |access-date=2006-09-24 }}</ref>

Talakaveri is about {{cvt|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from [[Bhagamandala]], {{cvt|36|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Panathur]] ([[Kerala]]) and {{cvt|48|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Madikeri]], the headquarters of Kodagu district.

==Pilgrim center==
The temple here is dedicated to Goddess Kaveramma.  Other deities worshipped here are Lord Agasthiswara, which denotes the link between Kaveri and [[Wise old man|Sage]] [[Agastya|Agasthya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visvacomplex.com/Rishi_Agasthya_Vinayaka.html |title=The Rishi Agasthya And Vinayaka |access-date=2007-06-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402045241/http://www.visvacomplex.com/Rishi_Agasthya_Vinayaka.html |archive-date=2007-04-02 }}</ref>

The link between Kaveri and Lord Ganesha  extends to [[Srirangam]], in Lord Ganesha's role in setting up the [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganatha temple]] there.

The temple at [[Tirumakudalu Narasipura]] (confluence of [[Kabini]], Kaveri and the legendary Spatika Sarovara)) is also dedicated to Agasthiwara.

== History of the temple priests of Talakaveri ==
[[File:Talacauvery Temple.jpg|thumb|300px|Talakaveri temple after renovation in 2010 by the state government]]
It is believed that [[Mayurasharma|Mayura Varma]], and the [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadamba]] king Narasimman, who ruled vast areas of southern and central India in the 4th Century A.D., brought Brahmins from Ahi Kshetra and put them in charge of various temples in [[Tulu Nadu]].

The Brahmins who first landed in Shivalli in Tulunadu and then spread across 31 villages came to be known as Shivalli Brahmins or Tulu Brahmins. It is from Shivalli and Tulu Brahmins, that the priests of Talakaveri temple have come from.

== Achar Family of Talakaveri ==
The beginning of the Achar family in Talakaveri starts ten generations or about 220 to 240 years ago. A Brahmin named Venkappayya and his two brothers, along with their families came to Talakaveri on a pilgrimage. Lingaraja the First was the ruler of Kodagu from 1780 to 1790 AD. One night God appeared in Lingaraja's dream and indicated that there was a Brahmin family currently visiting Talakaveri. God commanded Lingaraja to appoint this Brahmin to be the priest at the temple. After the king arose from his dream, he sent for this Brahmin family. The king's messengers found Venkappayya in Talakaveri and informed him about the king's desire. Venkappayya accompanied the king's messengers from Talakaveri to Madikeri, a distance of about 24 miles to meet the king. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

Lingaraja received Venkappayya and requested him to start daily puja at the temple. The king set up an endowment to pay Venkappayya for his services at the temple. This was the beginning of the Achar family of Talacauvery. The priesthood bestowed by Lingaraja upon Venkappayya has passed on through many generations to his heirs. It is hereditary as most priesthoods are, and all male members of the family have the birthright to become priests at the temple. The current Achars are the ninth generation from Venkappayya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/a/c/h/Raj-Acharya-CA/index.html|title=Raj-Acharya-CA - User Trees - Genealogy.com|website=www.genealogy.com}}</ref>

Venkappayya came from Shivalli Halli (village) of South Canara district. The Brahmins here were called Putturayas, probably meaning priests from Puttur. This Puttur is near Udupi. Venkappayya Putturaya's descendants are the Achars. It is not known why the descendants of Venkappayya took on the surname of Achar. Although Venkappayya came to Talakaveri with his two brothers, only Venkappayya's descendants are documented.

==Nearby==
[[File:Mountains North Tala Kaveri Coorg India Feb24 A7C 09525.jpg|thumb|Mountain range to the northwest]]
[[File:Virajpet - Talakaveri travel views 39.JPG|thumb|Talakaveri Road]]
The [[Brahmagiri hill]] is situated right beside the temple. There are a series of steps leading to the top of the hill.

From there, one can have a 360 [[degree (angle)|degree]] view of the surrounding hills. The nearest [[International Airport]] is in [[Kannur]] at a distance of {{convert|117|km|-1}},The nearest [[Railway station]] is in [[Kanhangad]] [[kerala]] at a distance of {{convert|72|km|-1}}.

==Rainfall==
[[File:Talakaveri Temple during Mansoon.jpg|thumb|Talakaveri Temple during Monsoon 2016]]
It is situated in the dense forests of the [[Western Ghats]] and gets very heavy annual [[rainfall]] of close to {{cvt|700|cm|in|abbr=on}}. It is among the wettest places in the [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Karnataka]].

==Comparisons==
The table below compares [[rainfall]]  between [[Agumbe]] in [[Thirthahalli]] taluk in [[Shimoga]] [[district]], [[Hulikal]] in [[Hosanagara]] taluk in [[Shimoga]] [[district]], [[Amagaon]] in [[Khanapur]] Taluk in [[Belgaum]] [[district]] and [[Talacauvery]] in [[Madikeri]] taluk in [[Kodagu]] [[district]], Kokalli of [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]] Taluk, [[Nilkund]] of [[Siddapura, Uttara Kannada|Siddapur]] Taluk, Castle Rock of Supa (Joida) Taluk in [[Uttara Kannada]] [[District]] to show which one can be called the "[[Cherrapunji]] of [[South India]]".<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2607630.ece Hulikal in Shimoga district is wettest in State] from ''TheHindu.com'' accessed 23 March 2013</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Talakaveri Rainfall (mm) <ref>Amagaon has got over 10,000&nbsp;mm annual rainfall twice in the five years (2006-2010). The exact amount of rainfall is not available. See [http://www.deccanherald.com/pages.php?id=271493 Amagaon is now Cherrapunji of South] from ''DeccanHerald.com'' accessed 23 March 2013</ref>
!Surlabbi
Rainfall
(mm)
! Hulikal Rainfall (mm)
! Agumbe Rainfall (mm)
! Amagaon Rainfall (mm)
!Kokalli Rainfall (mm)
!Nilkund Rainfall (mm)
!Castle Rock Rainfall (mm)
|-
|2023
|4892
|5299
|5208
|5353
|4389
|
|
|
|-
|2022
|8763
|6808
|7733
|8122
|6825
|
|
|
|-
|2021
|7879
|6639
|7937
|7544
|6462
|
|
|6536
|-
|2020
|8856
|5570
|8401
|7560
|7496
|
|
|7152
|-
|2019
|7593
|5980
|8541
|7398
|9804
|
|
|8069
|-
|2018
|9098
|9161
|7577
|8422
|6570
|3944
|6204
|6501
|-
| 2017
| 5,859
|5328
| 5,700
| 6,311
| 4,733
|3130
|4981
|5560
|-
| 2016
| 5,430
|
| 5,721
| 6,449
| 4,705
|2682
|4655
|4968
|-
| 2015
| 5,319
|4135
| 6,035
| 5,518
| 4,013
|2730
|4367
|3667
|-
| 2014
| 7,844
|
| 7,907
| 7,917
| 5,580
|8746
|6710
|5956
|-
| 2013
| 8,628
|8378
| 9,383
| 8,770
| 8,440
|4464
|7082
|6165
|-
| 2012
| 5,722
|4870
| 8,409
| 6,933
| 5,987
|5036
|5398
|4930
|-
| 2011
| 6,855
|6028
| 8,523
| 7,921
| 9,368
|4437
|6593
|7083
|-
| 2010
| 6,794
|5335
| 7,717
| 6,929
| 10,068
|4002
| -
| 4079
|-
| 2009
| -
|
| 8,357
| 7,982
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| 2008
| -
|
| 7,115
| 7,199
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| 2007
| -
|
| 8295
| 8,255
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
| 2006
| -
|
| 8,656
| 8,691
| -
| -<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://des.kar.nic.in/sites/ANNUAL%20RAINFALL%202014.pdf|title=Govt of Karnataka Rainfall Statistics (Kokalli)|website=DES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://des.kar.nic.in/|title=Rainfall Statistics of Karnataka|website=DES Karanataka|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126191613/http://des.kar.nic.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| -
| -
|}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Portal|India}}
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.india9.com/i9show/34486.htm Talakaveri]
*[http://www.paradisecoorg.com/Talakaveri.html Talakaveri Tourism Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910015112/http://www.paradisecoorg.com/Talakaveri.html |date=10 September 2019 }}

{{Kaveri River}}
{{Kodagu (Coorg) topics}}

[[Category:Villages in Kodagu district]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hills of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Kaveri River]]
[[Category:Geography of Kodagu district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kodagu district]]