Bhagamandala is famous for the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers, Cauvery, Sujyothi and Kanike and also for the Kerala style temple dedicated to Bhagandeshwara / Lord Shiva. Cauvery flows at this place from Talacauvery, her birth place and the two tributaries Kanike and the mythical river Sujyothi joins Cauvery at this place, making it a sacred pilgrimage center.
According to the Skandapurana, the Bhagandeshwara temple is named after Bhaganda Muni who installed the Shivalinga here. It attracted the devotion of many royal dynasties of Karnataka.
Bhagamandala is also known as Triveni Sangam, Dakshina Kashi, and Talacauvery Bhagandeshwara Kshetra. It is situated in Coorg district of Karnataka.
People take a dip at the spot where the rivers meet and perform rituals to their ancestors. The river is crystal clear and the surrounding hills covered with shola forests add to the beauty of the place. Mt.Thavoor and Mt.Koppatti, are the two towering peaks overlooking Bhagamandala and offer a great trekking routes for anyone wishing to savor the mesmerizing beauty of the Shola forest range.
During Tula Sankramana, which falls in the month of October, large number of pilgrims congregates here and then proceeds to Talacauvery.
The Braghandeshwara temple complex is big with intricate carvings on the wooden ceiling, walls, and pillars detailing the stories in the puranas / sacred text. The copper roofs of the temple are another unique aspect of this temple. The other dieites installed here are Subramanya, Mahavishnu and Ganapathi.
Tipu Sultan ruled over this place in 1785-1790 and renamed the place as Afesalabad. In 1790, King Dodda Vira Rajendra took Bhagamandala under his control and restored its original name.
Nearby places to visit are Talacauvery, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Dubbare, Igguthappa Temple, and Chinnathappa Temple.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Ancient temple
Situated: Coorg District, Karnataka
Distance: 39 Km from Madikeri
Transport: Well connected by road, government buses ply frequently from Madikeri
Facilities: Rest rooms, restaurants available
