Bhagamandala

Bhagamandala is a pilgrimage place in Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is situated on the river Kaveri in its upstream stretches. At this place, the Kaveri is joined by two tributaries, the Kannike and the mythical Sujyoti river. It is considered sacred as a river confluence (kudala or triveni sangama, in Kannada and Sanskrit respectively). Similarly the other related place is Ooty which means land beside water body in Kannada and Sanskrit respectively.

Bhagamandala is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the triveni sangama and perform rituals to their ancestors before proceeding to Talakaveri, the birthplace of Kaveri. During Tula Sankramana which falls on October 17 or 18th, pilgrims assemble here in large numbers.

A short distance from the triveni sangama, there is a famous temple known as Sri Bhagandeshwara temple, where Bhagandeshwara (Ishwara), Subramanya, Mahavishnu and Ganapati idols are installed. This place is also known as Bhagandeshwara Kshetra, from which the name Bhagamandala is derived. The temples in this area are built in Karavali(West Coast) style.

During 1785-1790, the area was occupied by Tipu Sultan. He renamed Bhagamandala to Afesalabad. In 1790 King Dodda Vira Rajendra took Bhagamandala back into an independent Kodagu kingdom.

Bhagamandala is located about 33 km from the district headquarters Madikeri and is connected by paved roads from Madikeri, Virajpet and nearby places in Karnataka and Kerala. Government and private buses are available on all of these routes.

A short distance from Bhagamandala is the temple at Padi, which houses the deity Lord Igguthapp and is considered by many Kodavas to be the most sacred shrine in their homeland.

One more temple at Aiyangeri by name "CHINNATHAPPA",which houses the deity Lord Sri Krishna,considered by the people of the village to be the most sacred shrine in their home land. There is a festival once a year in the month of February or March, where the "Golden Flute" will be brought out from the temple.

Mount Thavoor is a towering peak overlooking Bhagamandala and Mt.Koppatti, which may be considered its twin peak is nearby and both these serve as fantastic trekking routes for anyone wishing to savour the mesmerising beauty of the Shola forest range.

Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple
Sri Bhagandeswara Temple complex houses Sri Bhagandeswara, Sri Subramanya and Sri Narayana.

All three temples are facing east and appears to be more than 10 centuries old. Lot of additional work has been executed by various dynasties including the Wodeyars of Mysore.

The wooden carvings are note worthy which are present in the Sabha Mantapa or Kalyana Mantapa present right in front of Sri. Subramanya and Sri. Narayana temples. Also, the entrance to Bhagandeswara temple Kalyana Mantapa is beautifully carved and it is worth seeing.

The whole temple is enclosed with huge walls and it is typical to any Malnad style of temples. Also, a recent addition of Main Gopura which is typical Malnad style can be found.

Overall the temple is very beautifully located on the banks of three rivers Cauvery, Sujyothi and Kannika. Out of which one of them is a Gupta Gamini and flows underground. Ground water experts have confirmed it and as the legend says, the source of that river originates from the Sri.Subramanya temple.

Earlier this Kshetra was also known as Sri Subramanya Kshetra.