9:00 am, we started our journey by hiring a cab from Madikeri town for the Golden Temple. On the way, we first visited the Omkareshwar Temple in Madikeri town.
At 10:20 am, we restarted our journey to the Golden Temple. At 11:20 am, we reached the Golden Temple situated at Kodagu.
Golden Temple in Kodagu – Distance from Madikeri Town – We covered approx. 52 km.
Rs. 20 we paid for parking.
After lunch at 3:45 pm, we started our journey from Madikeri town via a hired cab. It is a 31 km drive. At 4:40 pm, we reached the vintage cars.
There is an entrance fee as below:
Adults – Rs. 100
Children 5 years – Free
5 to 15 – Rs. 50
Foreign Nationals – Rs. 300
Camera Fees
Mobile – Rs. 30
Professional Camera – Rs. 100
Video Camera – Rs. 300
As I walked inside the showroom I saw Morris 9 – 1936, Morris 8 – 1936, Ford Model Y – 1936, Morris 8 – 1946, Ford Anglia – 1949, Morris Minor – 1951, Triumph Mayflower – 1951, Ford Mercury – 1951, Ford Popular – 1953, Vanguard – 1957, Morris 8 series E, Volkswagen Beetle – 1976 and many more models on display including motorbikes.
Luckily, I met the owner but was unable to know more (except there are a total of 85 cars) about vintage cars as he speaks only the local language, but still, vintage cars are worth a visit. Though the showroom is only one year old, but various cars and bikes are 36 years collection. One should visit.
11:20 am, we started our journey via cab from Madikeri Town for Talakaveri (birthplace of the Cauvery river), following Mangalore Ghat road. After 8 km of driving, a left turn goes straight to Talakaveri. 33 km of driving and we reach Bhagamandala. Rs. 25/- toll tax paid. 12:40 noon hours after driving 8 more km, we reach Talakaveri.
The total distance from Madikeri Town to Talakaveri is approx. 49 km
The total journey hours from Madikeri Town to Talakaveri is approx. 1 hour 20 minutes.
We met Narayan Acharya, the head priest. Upon the request, he narrated The History as follows:
There are seven important holy rivers in India – Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri. Talakaveri is the birthplace of the Kaveri River. From here, Kaveri the river starts as a river flowing via Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, finally merging into the Bay of Bengal near Poompuhar Town in Tamil Nadu. Kaveri is Agasthya rishi wife. Agasthya Rishi meditated here above Brahmagiri Mountain. 360 steps are there to reach the top of Brahmagiri Mountain. It is a good viewpoint. If the weather is clear and there is no fog, you can watch part of Kerala state and the 60 km seashore.
Thank you – said I, and we offer prayers.
More from a display board:
The Ashwatha tree here is believed to be the shoot of the original tree under which Agasthya Muni meditated.
At the level above are the temples of Agastheshwara and Ganpati. Local legends have it that Sage Agasthya had originally installed a linga of sand and offered worship here.
The birth of Agni
Ashwatha peepal is found in most temple premises. It’s sacred, perhaps comes from Vedic rituals of igniting the sacrificial fire by friction between two pieces of wood. One of which was the Ashwatha ceremony, called the birth of Agni. Different parts of the trees have different medicinal properties.
History of Abbey Waterfalls
The Madikeri stream, also called Muttramuttu, falls 21.3 meters between huge boulders to a deep rocky valley to form this picturesque Waterfall called Abbi Falls (abbi means waterfalls in Kodavatak). The British called it the Jessey waterfall in memory of Jessey, the daughter of Madikeri’s first chaplain. Every year, a few unwary people meet an unfortunate end over the slippery rocks here.
(Source: Display Board)
Abbey Waterfalls distance is 8 km from Madikeri Town.
We reached there at 1:10 pm.
Parking charges for the car is 40 rupees.
History of Sri Omkareshwara Temple
A legend is associated with this temple, built by Lingarajendra II in A.D. 1820. The king put to death a pious Brahmin who dared to protest against his misdeeds. The spirit of the dead man began to plague the king day and night. On the advice of wise men, the king built this temple and installed in it a Shivalinga procured from Kashi, and thus freed himself from the curse.
The Omkareshwara temple tank houses the common carp (Catla catla) introduced to keep the water free of organic matter and pollution.
Pooja Timings
Morning 6:30 am to 12 am
Evening 5 pm to 8 pm
Mahamangalarthi 12 am & 8 pm
Note: video cameras, mobile, socks, and cameras are not allowed inside the temple.
History of Raja’s Seat
This small square mandapa with a commanding view of the cliffs and valleys to the west is an attractive spot for lovers of nature. Here one can sit and enjoy the glorious scene of Sunrise and Sunset as Raja and his consorts did in the past. Hence, the name Raja seat.
(Source: Display Board)
Southern Hill Myna – This photo was taken at Club Mahindra in Madikeri (Karnataka).
Coorg Vinegar Tree Fruit also known as Kachampuli – This photo was taken at Club Mahindra in Madikeri (Karnataka).
Malabar Whistling Thrush – This photo was taken at Club Mahindra in Madikeri (Karnataka).