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Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple – Overview
The Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple is one of the Panchalinga Darshana Temples in and around Talakad. The other temples are Sri Kshetra Vaideshwara, Sri Pathaleshwara, Sri Maruleshwara, and Sri Arakeshwara. Along with Sri Mudukuthore Mallikarjuneshwara, they form the five Shiva Lingas of the Panchalinga Darshana.
The Panchalinga Darshana usually takes place once every 12 years. The exact date is based on astrological calculation. The festival starts simultaneously in all five temples. Mudukuthore is also famous for the week-long agricultural fair held here every year during January and February.
Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple – Mythology
It is believed that Arjuna, the Pandava, stayed here for some time. He installed the Shiva Linga and offered Puja with Mallika (Jasmine) flowers. That is why the shrine is known as Mallikarjuna or Mallikarjuneshwara.
Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple – Facts
Mudukuthore is a tranquil little village mostly famous for the Mallikarjuna temple on the Somagiri hillock. Mudukuthore means, roughly, ‘turn and flow forward’. It has been so named because the Kaveri River takes a turn here before continuing on her forward journey. The view of the river is an added attraction to this place.
The small Somagiri hill is just 200 ft high, and vehicles can go up half the way. From that point, you have to climb up a 100 steps to reach the Mallikarjuna Temple. Once you reach the top, you see two white Nandhis and then you enter a spacious courtyard with a tall Deepasthamba. The Main Sanctum houses a Shiva Linga, and it is a very important shrine as it is one of the five Panchalinga temples of Talakad. The walls of the temples are decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the epics.
Beside the main temple is a shrine dedicated to Bhramarambha Devi. A small pathway near the temple leads to the Bettali Maramma Temple. Across the river is the Jaladhama Resorts. You have to take a coracle to cross the river and reach the resort. The resort offers several water sport activities.
How to Get to Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Temple
The nearest Railway Station is at Somanathapura. You can get a bus to Mudukuthore from Somanathapura, which is just 26 km away. The best time to visit would be during the Annual Fair and Mahashivarathri, during January and February.
