11K devotees witness 'Panchalinga Darshana' at historical Talakadu

Mysuru: The famous "Panchalinga Darshana" mega event at 800 year-old five temples signifying five faces of lord Shiva in and around Talakadu, the capital of Ganga dynasty, in T Narsipura taluk in Mysuru district was celebrated in a simple, traditional way due to covid 19 pandemic situation on Monday early morning. While lakhs of people from across the Country flow in for the mega event each time, this time amid restrictions over 5000 local people witnessed Panchalinga darshana by visiting all five temples, and over 6000 others witnessed it virtually on Monday.

Mysuru District Minister S T Somashekar and over 100 other people including politicians and officials participated in all the rituals at the main Vaidyanatheshwara temple (Ishana face of Lord Shiva) and they visited four other Shiva temples, at the main auspicious time for Panchalinga darshana which occurred between 4.30am and 7.30am on the fifth Monday of 'Karthika maasa', on 'bahula amavasya' day, in Jeshta nakshathra (star) and Vrischnika lagna.

It is believed that one would attain fulfillment (Moksha) if they visit all five temples of lord Shiva in the auspicious time, so while the auspicious time for 'Panchalinga darshana' with mythological significance occurs once in three, seven or 13 years, it is usually witnessed by atleast 3 lakh people on the main day. But this year, as per the SOP by Covid 19 technical advisory committee (TAC) of the State, the rituals at all five temples were live streamed on youtube, and over 6000 devotees witnessed rituals at the auspicious time virtually. And while the entire day was considered significant for Panchalinga darshana, since the Amavasya lasted till 12.45am of Tuesday, the general public were allowed to all five temples from 7.30am to 3pm on Monday. But TAC had restricted the event to just 1500 local. So Mysuru district police had set up nine check posts, and they checked their id proof including Aadhar card and allowed only people from Talakadu, B Shettyhalli and Holesaalu grampanchayat limits of TNarispura taluk. Yet over 5000 people flew in for Pancha linga darshana. While covid negative test was made mandatory, health department had arranged five health camps near the check posts.

While Chief Minister Mr B S Yeddyurappa did not come for Pancha lingadarshana, Mysuru district minister Mr S T Somashekar participated in all the rituals at the main Vaidyanatheshwara temple (Ishana face of Lord Shiva). Team of priests led by Chief priest of Vaidyanatheshwara group of temples Sri Ananada Dixith, chief priest of Chamundeshwari temple of Chamundi hills of Mysuru, Sri Shashishekar Dixit led the rituals held between 4.30am and 5.30am at all five temples simultaneously. The rituals at the main Vaidyanatheshwara temple began with saptha ganga pooja at Gokarna Sarovara and fetching Ganga (water) from there for Abhisheka of Shiva Linga at the temple. It was followed by Shudhdhi punyaaha, Ganesha abhisheka and Ekadashavara Rudraabhisheka and other rituals which concluded with Maha Mangalaarathi.

Irrespective of his age, 60-year-old minister Somashekar visited four temples including Paathaleshwara ((Aghora face of lord Shiva), Maraleshwara (Sadyojata face of lord Shiva) by walking amid sand at Talakadu, and later Arakeshwara temple (Thathpurusha face of lord Shiva) at Vijayapura near Talakadu, Mallikarjuna swamy temple ((Vaamadeva face of lord Shiva) at Mudukuthore near Talakadu. And he covered all the temples well within the timings before 7.30am. And he told media persons that he has prayed Lord Shiva to relieve people from the Covid 19 pandemic soon, and also for the good health and well being of the people.

T Narsipur MLA Mr Ashwin Kumar, Chamaraja constituency MLA Mr L Nagendra and other politicians, and Mysuru DC Ms Rohini Sindhuri, Mysuru district SP Mr C B Rishyanth and other officials participated in the Pancha linga darshana along with minister Somashekar.

While the rituals of Panchalinga darshana have begun on 10 of this month, they will conclude on 19 of this month. While over a lakh people visited even on the rest of the days, this year TAC has permitted for 1000 people for rest of the days. And Mysuru district administration has arranged live streaming of rituals till 17 of this month. While the devotees usually take holy dip before visiting all the temples, the permission for holy dip was also not given this time. According to Sri Ananada Dixith, the next Panchalinga Darshana will be in 2033. And the last Panchalinga Darshana was in 2013.