Panchalinga Darshana
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Panchalinga Darshana is a holy festival held once every twelve years in the ancient temple town of Talakad on the banks of the Kaveri river in Karnataka, India.[1]
The five temples of Kshethra Sri Vaidyanatheshwara, Sri Pathaleshwara, Sri Maruleshwara, Sri Arakeshwara, Sri Mudukuthore Mallikarjuneshwara are believed to be Panchalingas and thus have become famous.[2] The festival takes place simultaneously at these five temples of Shiva which are decorated with plantain stalks and flowers. Here the pilgrims of Panchalinga Darshana offer their Pooja to the Gods.[3]
The festival takes elaborate preparation as millions of pilgrims attend to participate in the ceremonies, spread over a period of five days.[4] It was last held in 2009.[2] The uniqueness of this festival is that the five temple poojas begin at the same time following the ancient tradition for obtaining blessings for devotees and rulers of the country.[5]