Baghamandala

Baghamandala

Bhangandeshwara temple

      The Bhangandeshwara temple with Lord Siva as main deity is situated at the convergence of river Cauvery.The temple is built in a typical Kerala styled architecture. The pagodas or multi layered roofs are made of beautiful copper sheets that gives a reddish hue. The temple also has sanctums for Subramanya, Mahavishnu and Ganesha. There is an inscription near the temple which refers to how Bhagamandala was captured and occupied by Tipu Sultan in the year 1785 to 1790. It is mentioned that Tipu Sultan renamed the place Afesalabad, and in 1790, King Dodda Vira Rajendra won it back into an independent Kodagu Kingdom, after a brief battle.

According to the temple priest and other inscriptions we come to know that this temple was constructed some 1500 years ago and used to be a brick structure. This temple was reconstructed in granite by Raja raja Cholan 1. Presiding deities are Agneeswarar or Thirukollikadar, a slightly reddish lingam believed to be red because , red signifies fire, and this was worshipped by Agni himself and Mirudu paada nayagi or Panjin melladiaal.

Triveni Sangamam

Three rivers Kanika, Sujothi and Cauvery meet here and it is called as the Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) and is one of the holy places in the south according to the Hindus. It is said that all sins will be washed away by taking a holy dip. The water is only knee deep in normal days. Please check during monsoon times. While the River Sujothi is a mythological one and it is believed to flow underground , river Cauvery makes a long journey getting stronger and wider and travels 800 kms all the way up to Tamilnadu.
How to reach? It is 40 kms from Madikeri and is 8 kms before Talacauvery. I advise you visit this in the evening after your Talacuavery trip so you can spend more time enjoying the nature and a nice dip in the river. Taxis and buses are available from Madikeri and Talacauvery if you are not driving.
Where to Stay? I would not recommend any stay here as it is only a few kilometers away from Madikeri where you have a choice of lodgings.