Maruleshwara Temple

Maruleshwara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Talakad (Talakadu) on the banks of the Kaveri River in Mysuru district, Karnataka. It is one of the Panchalinga temples of Talakad, historically associated with the Western Ganga, Chola and Hoysala periods. The temple was buried under sand dunes for centuries and later excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India, noted for its Dravidian architecture and religious importance.

Visitors can expect a historic stone temple set amid sand dunes on the Kaveri riverbank in Talakad. The temple features Dravidian-style architecture with a lingam shrine, pillared halls and carved pillars. The surroundings are sandy with excavated temple structures nearby. Visitors can explore the shrine, observe daily worship rituals, view architectural details and walk around the temple complex within the Talakad Panchalinga temple cluster.

Maruleshwara Temple is part of the Talakad temple group dating to the Western Ganga period (around 10th century) with later contributions from the Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara rulers. Talakad was an important capital under the Gangas and Cholas. The temples were gradually buried under sand dunes, believed to have encroached from the Kaveri River, and were later excavated and restored by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The temple is one of the Panchalinga temples of Talakad revered by Shaivites. It is central to the Panchalinga Darshana pilgrimage held once every several years when devotees worship the five Shiva lingas in a single day. The temple reflects the religious traditions of the Kaveri region and remains an active place of worship.