TALACAUVERY AT BRAHMAGIRI HILLS, COORG, KARNATAKA
TALACAUVERY:
TAKACAUVERY, the birth place of the holy river Sri
Cauvery, is situated on the slope of the Brahmagiri hills. It is located
at a height of 1535 meters from the sea level. Sri Agastya Maharishi after
marrying Sri Cauvery made Talacauvery hi abode of living. Sage Agastya did
penance and got the blessing of Lord Brahma in the hilly area of Talacauvery. Therefore,
the nearby hillock was called as Brahmagiri and connected hilly range as
Brahmagiri range of hills. It is traditionally believed that in ancient times
the renowned seven great sages called “SAPTA
MAHARSHIS” had performed special “YAGNA”
– holy sacrifice – at the peak of the Brahmagiri hills. Brahmagiri majestically
stands by the northern side of Sri Agasteshwara temple. A visit to the “Brahamagiri”
peak and offering of prayers to God there are considered holy and spiritually
beneficial. The natural scenic beauty in and around Brahmagiri hills is really
rich and pleasant.
SRI CAUVERY KUNDIKA:
Even though Sri Cauvery is worshipped as
Divine Mother by millions of devotees, there is no temple dedicated to her for
worship at Talacauvery. It is told in Puranas and traditionally believed that
she is manifesting herself in the physical world in the form of holy river. Accordingly
Sri Cauvery is being wordhipped in her holy water form only. Therefore, the
holy Brahma Kundika – reverentially called as “Sri
Cauvery Kundika” is itself her abode, the holy water in it is her
image at Talacauvery. Daily regular worship is offered to Divine Mother Sri
Cauvery at this small holy water pond.
The
adjoining bigger water tank is called “SRI CAUVERY PUNYA SNANA KOLA” – Sri Cauvery
holy bathing tank – is where pilgrims and devotees take their holy bath at
Talacauvery on all occasions. Sri Cauvery Kundika the holy source of Sri
Cauvery is the most sacred and divinely blessed spot where the pilgrims and
devotees worship Sri Cauvery and pray for her blessings. Sincere prayers and
devout worship offered to the divine Mother Sri Cauvery here prove very
effective is what the experience of our forefathers had and it is the
experience of the people of present generation too. That is why Talacauvery is
hailed as JAGRATA DIVYA KSHETRA – A holy place of divine awakening.
TEMPLES
AT TALACAUVERY:
There are two temples at Talacauvery. One is
dedicated to Lord Ganesha and other to Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva in
Talacauvery is called as Sri Agastheshwara. After doing penance and
getting the blessings of Lord Shiva at Talacauvery sage Agastya decided to
install a Shiva Linga there. Accordingly he shaped out of sand by his yogic
powers a Shiva Linga and with devotion installed it there. Therefore, it was
called as Sri Agasteshwara and it is the age ofld belief that special
manifestation of divinity of Lord Shiva is present in this rare and ancient Shiva Linga.
THE
HOLY ASHWATTHA TREE:
There is a short Ashwattha
tree at Talacauvery. It has its own traditional story and special
sanctity. According to traditional story Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Shiva – Trimurthis gave “Darshan”
– became visible, to sage Agastya in this holy tree and blessed him. As a
special mark of remembrance of the event the three Lords assured sage Agastya
that this particular Ashwattha tree would always remin dwaf in its growth at
Talacauvery and the special divine presence of the three lords would be in it. Hence
this Ashwattha tree is signifincntly sacred and devotees always do not forget
to worship and pray in it’s presence. This sacred Ashwatha tree at Talacauvery
is reverentially worshipped as Sri Ashwattha Narayana.
