Mysore: The district administration is bracing up for the year’s biggest cultural extravaganza – Talakad Panchalinga Darshana – in T. Narasipur with preparations on to make the event colorful and memorable.
During Panchalinga Darshana from November 28 to December 4, nearly three million pilgrims from across the State and the country are expected to converge at Talakad, the ancient capital of the Gangas which has temples belonging to the earliest period of Karnataka’s history.
The most auspicious day of the festivities is December 2 and according to priests, the most sacred hours of darshan are between 10 am and midnight.
Rajasekhar Murthy, Executive Officer of Talakad group of temples, told Deccan Chronicle that since there is little time, no permanent works will be taken up now.
“By November 28, most of the work should be completed. Currently, beautification of the temples is underway. Water in the Kalyani, where pilgrims take a holy dip, has been drained out to clear dirt and algae and will be refilled”.
Though people of Talakad have to wait for some more time for Cauvery water, temporary drinking water facilities and a toilet complex have been provided. Madras Engineering Group (MEG) was asked to construct a temporary bridge near “Sana Ghatt” on the banks of River Cauvery for safety of devotees and life savers attached to KSRP would be kept as a standby in case of an emergency.
According to PWD minister H.C. Mahadevappa, the total outlay sanctioned for the Panchalinga Darshana is Rs 112 crore, the highest ever, of which Rs 100 crore is being used for various development works and the remaining Rs 12 for organizing the fest.
