Talacauvery and Bhagamandala

Talacauvery , the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery, is located 44 km from Madikeri, on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. Besides being a pilgrimage center, Talacauvery is known for its natural beauty. On Tula Sankaramana day in the middle of October, thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace to witness a sudden upsurge of water in a small pond, at a predetermined time. Devout Coorgs take a holy dip in a nearby pond and take home the holy water from the small pond to perform worship on the day of Cauvery Sankramana, the holiest national day for the Coorgs. Pilgrims from neighbouring districts and Tamil Nadu visit Talcauvery for a month after Tula Sankramana. The gushing of water from the small pond at an auspicious moment is considered a miracle. After the holy dip, the pilgrims take a flight of steps leading up to the summit of the Brahmagiri Hill, which offers a feast for nature lovers. Bus service is available to Talacauvery from Madikeri.

Bhagamandala is on the foothills of Talcauvery and is 39 km from Madikeri. Bhagamandala is the confluence of the sacred rivers of Cauvery and Kannike and legend has it that a third river Sujyothi, a subterranean stream, joins the two rivers. The Bhagandeshwara temple is located on the banks of the two rivers and is one of the important pilgrimage centers in Coorg. Pilgrims proceed to Talcauvery only after offering worship at Bhagamandala. It is customary for the Coorg men to shave their head at Bhagamandala in the event of a bereavement in the family. Bhagamandala is also famous for honey and its apiaries.

Pilgrim center

The temple here is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara, which denotes the link between Kavery and Sage Agasthya.

The legend goes that, Kavery was held in a Kamadalam by Sage Agasthya. Vinnaayaka took the form of a crow and perched on the kamandalam of Agasthya when Agasthya was meditating. When Agasthya realised this, he shooed away the crow. But the Divine Crow tipped the kamandalu and toppled it. Out, poured Kaveri which started flowing. The crow disappeared and in its place stood a small boy. Agasthya thought that the boy was playing some prank and clenching both his fists, went to pound the head of the small boy. But the boy escaped and Agasthya gave chase. Finally the boy vanished and Vinaayaka showed Himself to Agasthya. Agasthya was aghast at the realisation that he had just tried to knock the head of Vinaayaka Himself. As atonement, he knocked his own head with both of his clenched fists.

The link between Kavery and Vinnaayaka also extends to Srirangam as well, in Lord Ganesa's role in setting up the Ranganatha temple there.

Not surprisingly, the temple at Tirumukkudal Narasipura (confluence of Kabini (aka Kapila), Kavery and invisible Spatika Sarovara) is also dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara.

On Tulasankramana day (first day of tula month normally falls in mid October) thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace to witness the miraculous rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment. The tula snanam is observed across pilgrim towns in Kavery's banks.

Cauvery Sankramana , the most auspicious day in the Kodava calendar, is celebrated on Tula Sankramana , when it is believed that goddess Cauvery appears in the form of a spring which emerges at Talacauvery. More than one lakh devotees witnessed Theerthodbhava Madikeri.

Distance:-	250 km from Bangalore
Air:-	The nearest airport are Mangalore (135 kms) and Bangalore (260 kms).
By Rail: -	The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan (146 kilometers).
By Road: -	From Bangalore, there are two routes to Coorg. Both routes are almost the same distance (around 250-260 kilometers). The route via Mysore, is the oft-frequented route. The stretch after Hunsur is scenic and the drive through the coffee plantations is absorbing. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayapatna, all of which are located on the National highway. After Chanrayanapatna, the state highway route takes you to your destination Bus: The bus service in Madikeri has connections to almost every place in Coorg, except Kushalnagar, for which you have to hop onto a bus to Bangalore. Alternatively, there are regular buses to Mysore, Mangalore, Hassan, Chikmagalur, Shimoga.
When to go:-	Cool climate around the year Dec - Feb
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Dubare Elephant Camp Dubare, Kodagu, Tel: 91-08272200651 / 200653, 94495 99755 Email: info@junglelodges.com Web site: junglelodges.com Tariff Range: Rs. 1900 per head Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley Galibeedu Road, Kalakeri Nidugane Village, Madkeri, Coorg - 571204 Email: reservations.coorg@clubmahindra.com Tel : 91-08272-221114 Fax : 91-8272-221882 Tariff Range: Rs. 5040 to Rs. 6500 Siddapur Orange County Resort Karadigodu Post, Siddapur, Kodagu - 571 253 Tel: 08274-258481-84 Fax: 08274-258485 Email: sales@trailsindia.com Web site: www.trailsindia.com Tariff Range: Rs. 10,000/- to Rs.21,000/- Madikeri Hotel Coorg International Convent Road, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-229390, 228071, 272 Fax: 08272-280730 Email: iatcoorg@data1.net Web site: www.coorghotels.com Tariff Range: Rs.2900/- to Rs. 5000/- Capitol Village 5th Cross, Chettahalli Siddapur Road, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-225929, 75 Tariff Range: Rs. 1250/- to Rs. 2000/- Hari-Ma Retreat P.B. No. 63 Hari- Ma Estate, Sunticoppa N. Kodagu -571 237 Ph: 08276 - 260297 Mob: 9448676967 Note: Advance reservation before 8 days preferred. Hill Town Hotel Daswal Road, Behind J D Hospital, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-223801-05 Email: hilltown@rediffmail.com Web site: www.madikeri.com Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 1500/- Hotel Rajdarshan No. 8/13, M G Road, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-229142, 228823 Fax: 08272-228367 Web site: karnatakatourism.com/hill/ madikeri/rajdarshan.htm Tariff Range: Rs. 950/- to Rs. 1350/- KSTDC Mayura Valley View Raja's Seat, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-228387 Tariff Range: Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 1250/- Hotel Sangam & Sri Brahmagiri Comfort Deluxe Lodge Near Lower Kodava Samaj, Behind Janata Bazaar, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-224867, 225866, 67 Fax: 08272-225866 Tariff Range: Rs. 750/- to Rs. 1050/- Hotel Cauvery School Road, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-225492 Fax: 08272-225735 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 550/- Honey Valley Estate Yavakapady Village, Kodagu - 571 212 Tel: 08272-238339 Email: honeyvalley_2000@yahoo.com Website: www.momentum.freeserve co.uk honeyvalley / home.htm Tariff Range: Rs. 2000/- to Rs.2500/- Rain Forest Retreat P. B. No. 101, Madikeri, Kodagu - 571 201 Tel: 08272-265636, 265638 Fax: 08272-265636 Email: wapred.india@vsnl.com Tariff Range: Rs. 2000/- above Alath-Cad Estate Bunglow P. B. No. 7, Ammathi, Kodagu - 571 211 Tel: 08274-252190 Fax: 08274-452589 Mobile: 9449617665 Email: alathcad@yahoo.com, mudhus@rediffmail.com Web site: www.alathcadcoorg.com Tariff: Rs. 2000/-above per couple on bed & breakfast basis. Sand Banks P. B. No. 30, Polaycad Estate, Ammathi Post, Kodagu - 571 211 Tel : 08274-252130 Email: kalaps@sancharnet.in Tariff: Rs. 1750/- to Rs. 2000/- Palace Estate Kakkabe, Kodagu - 571 212 Tel: 08272-238446 Tariff Range: Rs.1000/- to Rs.1500/-? Pearl Garden P. B. No. 60, Kutta, Kodagu - 571 250 Tel: 08274-244233 Tariff: Rs. 750/- per couple Chilligeri Estate Manchally Village, P. B. No. 167, Kutta, Kodagu - 571 250 Tariff: Double bed Rs. Single bed Rs. 750/- Sylvan Cottage Muthar Mudi Village, Murnud Post, Kodagu - 571 252 Tariff: Rs. 500/- Ramcad Guest House Near Iruppu Temple, Kodagu - 571217 Tel: 08274-244982, 244519 Tariff: Rs. 450/- per couple Kavery Gonikoppal, Ganapathy Road, Kodagu - 571 213 Tel: 08274-247697, 248193 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 450/- "Amulya" # 26, Gowli Street, Madikeri. Tel: 08272-228509, Mob: 9448043032. E-mail: amulya_ent@yahoo.com venkatesh_amulya@dataone.in venkatesh_mca@dataone.in Angel's Nest Laxmipur Estate, Maldare Post, Siddapur. Tel: 08274 - 259734. Note : Advance reservation before 3days preferred. Alpen Glow "Chirantana", convent junction, Madikeri, Bangalore -71201 Ananth or Jayashree at ; Email: eternal@sancharnet.in ananthu_uni@yahoo.co.in anoo109@gmail.com Tel: 98445 76429 , 94480 48875 Baby Estate P.O. Box No. 15, K. Chettalli - 571 248 Kodagu. Tel: 08276- 266820 Mob: 98452 70930, 98459 20536 Email : urvashi_subbaiah@rediffmail.com Note: Advance reservation before 3days preferred. Bright Spot Maldare Post, Via Siddapur, S. Kodagu, Karnataka Tel: 08274 259650, 259778, Mob: 9448208242. Note: Advance reservation before 5 days preferred. Cauvery Home Stay Mangalore Road, Thalathmane, Madikeri - 571 201. Telephone No. : 08272 - 200228 Mob : 9448504578, 9845592064 Cauvery Home Stay (Irpu) Kurchi Village & Post, Irupu, S. Kodagu Telephone No. : 08274 201092 Mob: 9980622983 Note: Advance reservation before 4 days preferred. Chirpy Haven 'Sri Ganapathy', Near Sudarshan Guest House, Madikeri - 571 201 Tel: 08272 - 225493, 9880146792 email : http://www.geocities.com/chirpyhaven/ Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Coffee Country Palace Road, Kakkabe, Via Napoklu, Madikeri Tq. Tel:08272 - 238330, 238625. Mob: 9448587878, 9449555078. email :coffeecountrykakkabe@hotmail.com Coorg Dale Ammangala Estate, Valnoor Post, Via Kushalnagar Tel:08276 - 267496 Mob: 9449747696,9880466496 email : geoffrymuthanna@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Coorg Trekkers Paradise Near Rajaseat, Madikeri Tel: 08272- 229318, 225498, Mob: 9945310233, 9449982959 email: coorgtrekkers@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Coorg Wood Side Leena Prakash, Wood side, Kattemadu Village & Post, Via Maragodu Tel: 08272- 241683, 9449339286 email: coorgwoodside@yahoo.co.in Dhyan's Den Subramania Estate, Madikeri - 571 201 Telephone No. : 08272 - 229837 Mob: 9880119007, 9980106123 email : dhyandev_coorg@yahoo.com Note: Advance reservation before 3 to 4 days preferred. Dubare Inn Resort Nanjarayapatna Post, Kushalnagar- 571 234 Tel: 08276 - 267855, 321149, Mob: 9448005724, 9448742332. Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Eshwari Cottage Thalathmane, Mangalore Road, Madikeri - 571 201. Telephone No. : 08272 221015, 9448381015 Email : eshwaricottage@yahoo.com Euro Valley Katakeri Village, Made Post, Madikeri . Tel: 08272 - 236728, Mob : 9448504653. Email : prakash_huderi@yahoo.co.in 4Seasons 1st Block, Behind K.S.R.T.C. Bus Stand, Indira Extension, Kushalnagar - 571 234 Tel: 08276 272950 Mob: 9845959838, 9880589784, 9880589785. Email: seasons_4@yahoo.com Note: Reservation before 2 days earlier. Forest Flower Nani Estate, Horoor Post, Sunticoppa Tel: 08272- 200451,9448433128 e-mail : info @ forest_flower. com web site: www.forest_flower.com Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Ganesh Estate Stay Murnad Road, Madikeri Tel: 08272 - 225875, 222926, Mob: 9242170342. Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Ganga Near Housing Board, Mysore Road, Madikeri Tel: 08272 - 223782, 229106, 224322, 225926, Mob: 9448005642, 9448017670, 9342147342 Mob:9880573297,9845314491 email: naveen coorg@indiatimes.com Garden Villa Garden Villa Homestay, 'Gouri land' Abyathmangala Village, siddapur Tel: 08274 258339 Mob: 9880740769 Email: naliniravishankar1@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 6 days preferred. Green Field Stay Home, Abyathmangala, Siddapur Tel: 08274 - 257460, Mob: 9448896030, 9242619127 Note: Advance reservation before 7 days preferred. Green Cove Thriveni Block No.11B, New Extension, Madikeri-571 201 Tel: 08272 223180 Mob: 9448648482 Email:greencovetruehomestay@yahoo.co.in Halli Mane Koodlur- Kushalnagar, Somwarpet Taluk, Kodagu Tel: 9449078126, 9845256270, 08276- 320617, 320618 email : hallimanestay@yahoo.com House on the Rock C/o Kurrunjjikad Hardship, Arecad Post Via Siddapur, North Coorg - 571253, Tel:091-9448117350, 91-8272-230048 Email- drdevmp@yahoo.com H.C.Thimmaiah Jade Hills, Kaloor Road, Galibeedu Village, Madikeri - 571201 Tel: 9880076737, 080-25262304. Email: jadehills01@yahoo.co.in Fax: 080 -23364292 Note: Advance reservation before 5 days preferred. Kavery Estate Kolakeri, Napoklu, Kodagu. Tel : 08272- 237270, Mobile:94487 21360 Note: Advance reservation before 10 days preferred. Kaveri Home Stay Old Race Course Road, House No.21/21, Block-14, Madikeri-571 201. Tel. No. 08272 229130 Mobile: 94485 61525 Note: Prefer advanced booking 10 days prior P. Roshni Nanjappa Kibbeil, Devanoor- Balele, South Coorg- 571 219 Tel: 08274 272046 Mob : 9448829111 Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. LaEmilia 'Sugandhi Nilaya', Mission Compound, Madikeri- 571 201. Tel: 08272 225789 Mob : 9886354241. Note: Advance reservation before 8 days preferred. Maithili Home comforts College Road, Madikeri Tel: 08272 - 229344, 9448422321 Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Malma Home Stay 'Seetha Nilaya', Convent Road, Madikeri Tel: 08272 - 229221, Mob: 9880573297, 9845314491 Email: malma@yahoo.com. Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred Maracad Estate Hachinadu Village & Post, Ammathi Vontiangadi, South Coorg Tel: 08274 254090, 08272 200469, 9343202200 email : organicvilla@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Misty Heights At Coorg Tel: 9341710368 / 9448504535 / 9448504368 / 08272-228008 At Bangalore Tel: 9448481810 / 080-23518810 Email: dinu_belliappa@yahoo.com Omkar Tourist House Murugesh, 69/20, Brahmins' Valley, Madikeri - 571 201 Tel: 08272 - 229249, Mob: 9845653574 Email : coorgopticals@yahoo.com Yelaneergundi Estate Shanivarsanthe Post, North Kodagu- 571 235 Mob: 9448083268, 9448208550. Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. TATA Coffee Plantation Trails For reservation contact Reena Anil - 08272 - 222157, 9844096489 Passion Fruit Homestay "College View", 14B-45, Subramanya Nagara, (Near Mithri Police Community Hall) Madikeri-571201, Kodagu, Karnataka. Tel: 08272 224247 Mobile: 9448548533. Planter's Camp Kirudale, Madapur Near Somwarpet, North Coorg Email: planterscamp@midorindia.com web: planterscamp.blogspot.com Polaycad Estate Ammathi, Kodagu email : polaycad@hotmail.com Tel: 08274 - 252240 Mob: 94486 06066 Prashanth Tourist Home Near Excel tyres (Near KSRTC Depot) Mysore Road, Mangaladevinagara Madikeri - 575 201. Tel: 9448588085, 9945317223. Email:prashanthhomestay@rediffmail.com Priyadarshini Home Stay Near CFO Bungalow, Gowda Samaj Road, Madikeri - 575 201 Tel : 08272 - 229203, Mob: 9986731431 Email:priyadarshini_homestay@yahoo.co.in Note: Prefer advance reservation before 7 days Gundicoppa Estate Belur Village & Post, Somwarpet, North Coorg - 571 236 Tel: 8272- 282171, 9448482171, 9880129016 Bangalore (O) : Tel : 80 22211339, 9844198339, 9341888875 Email: pnheritage@rediffmail.com Rajahamsa Sathya & Balkees, Near BSNL, Race course Road, Madikeri, Kodagu Tel: 9448721252, 9886485274, Email: coorghomestays@yahoo.com Romi's Nature Paradise Badragola 'B' Estate, P. B. No. 4, Thithimathi Post Gonikoppal Mob: 9449129368, 08274 263704 email: rnpcoorg@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Sharons Valley Home Stay Sharons Valley home stays, Abyathmangala Post, Via- Siddapur, S. Kodagu-571 253. Tel: 08274-267026 9448467028, 9448720574 Email: sharonsvalleyhomestays@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 5 days preferred. Sri Lakshmi Near Excell Tyres, Devimandir extension, G.T. Road, Madikeri - 571 201 Tel: 08272 225223, Mob: 9448217104 Email: girishkukkupuli@redifmail.com Note: Prefer advance reservation before 5 days Stream Line Homestay Gowli Street, Madikeri - 571 201 Mob: 9844790791, 9886295252. email : naveen_madikeri@yahoo.com Thurthi Farms Made P.O, Madikeri - 571201. Tel : 08272- 236576, 9448895984, 09447403329. web : thrilholidays.com. Note: Advance reservation before 5 days preferred. The Hacienda Green lands, Devanoor Post, Balale- 571 219 Tel: 08274 272074 Mob: 9448680862 website : www.coorghacienda.com Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Valley Dew Kodava Bane Plantation, Avandi Mukkodlu village, Hattihole Post, Kodagu. Tel: 08272- 233042 Mob :9880480001 email : valleydewstay@yahoo.co.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Valley fair Brahmin's Valley, Madikeri - 571 201. Tel: 08272- 221973, 08276-262410, Mob : 9448899527, 9448272410. email :kar@sancharnet.in Note: Advance reservation before 3 days preferred. Victory Home Victory Estate, Athur, via Pollibetta 571 215 Tel: 08274- 279295, 299295 (O) Mob : 9448138390 email:joe_jancy@rediffmail.com Website : www.victoryhome.net Note: Prefer advance reservation before 3 days Vindhyas Kodagu District Tel: 08272-239145, 239305 Mob: 9880148160 Note: Prefer advance reservation before 3 days Wild Cat Ranch Biligeri Village & Post, Madikeri - 571 201. Kodagu District Tel: 08272-227260, 320344. Mobile : 94484 22442 Email : wildcatranch05@yahoo.com Note: Prefer advance reservation before 3 days. Windcrest Unit of Shabari Agro farms & Consultants, Kaloor Road, Galibeedu, Madikeri - 571 201 Tel: 08272- 265671, 651297, 94492 92622, 98453 41359 email: girish_konganda@yahoo.com Note: Prefer advance reservation before 3 days