The speciality of this time is that the event is coming after a gap just three years, with last one being in 2006. Similar event had occurred nearly a century ago--1908 and 1911.
The duration might have come down, but the rituals, which are being followed for decades, will be strictly adhered to. According to Hindu almanac, Panchalinga Darshana is held once in three years, five years, seven years and 13 years depending on planetary movement and other calculations. There has to be five Mondays during Kartika maasa and the first day should be amavasya. Only then, Panchalinga Darshana is allowed and it is always between 4.30 am and 6 am. It is believed that the sun and the moon come near during the 'Kuhu' muhurtham.
Sri Krishna Dixit, the seventh generation priest at the main Sri Vaidyanateshwara Temple, told Deccan Herald that on the day one of Panchalinga Darshana, pooja starts simultaneously at all five temples situated in the vicinity of Sri Vaidyanateshwara Temple. According to the belief, devotees would get 'punya' if they visit all the temples on the first day.
Speciality
The speciality of Talkad shrine is that four temples are situated in North, South, East and West directions and another temple is in the centre of the shrine. Folklore has it that the idols originated there. The temples symbolise five faces of Lord Shiva. Only designated priests can offer pooja to the deities. The Wadiyar kings used to come to Sri Vaidyanateshwara Temple and witness rituals like commoners. Rituals like abhisheka, mangalarathi and naivedya are performed.
On the first day of Panchalinga Darshan, Dixit will take a holy dip in Gokarna Sarovara at 2.30 am and bring the water from there to offer abhisheka to the deity. As the Shiva temple in Talkad is unique, devotees from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also come in large numbers.
Sri Mukha Patra
Detailing out some of the practices, Dixit said Sri Mukha Patra (similar to an invitation), which will have only photographs of five temples, is circulated in the nearby villages, indicating that the God was personally extending invitation to the devotees. The patra would have details like pooja timing, muhurthum and nakshatra.
One-day tour of Talakad
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation will launch a one-day special tour to Talakad from Bangalore and Mysore. The `Panchalingdarshan tour to Talakad' service will be available between November 16 and 21. A bus will leave Bangalore at 6.30 am and return at 10 pm, said a release. The fare per person is Rs 370 (non-deluxe coach), Rs 400 (a/c deluxe coach) and Rs 500 (Volvo coach). The bus from Mysore will leave at 7 am and return at 9 pm The fare is Rs 155 per seat.
For details contact: `Badami House' Opp City Corporation,
N R Square, Bangalore - 560002 or phone: 22212098/22275869. In Mysore contact KSTDC Transport Wing, No. 2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore (0821-2423652). Bookings can also be done online at www.karnatakaholidays.net
