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Talakadu (also spelled as Talakkad) is a historic town, located on the banks of River Cauvery (Kaveri). This interesting town in Mysuru, Karnataka has a history of 30 temples buried under the sand, with lots of archaeological sightseeing. But what actually continues to intrigue archaeologists, historians, geologists, and travellers alike is a curse (Talakadu Curse), linked to the Wodeyar dynasty. Quick Facts About Talakadu State: Karnataka Located: Left bank ofRiver Cauvery Landscape: Desert-like landscape with high sand dunes Famous For: Buried temples, legendary curse and architecture PC: Pratima Prakash Story Behind The Talakadu Curse The curse of Talakadu dates back to the 16th century, during the reign of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysuru. The story of the curse revolves around Queen Alamelamma, temple jewels and the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore. It is a tale of abiding legend - an act of assault, a cryptic curse and the catastrophic fallout. - It is popularly believed that the then Ruler of Wodeyar coveted the jewels that were with Alamelamma, after the death of her husband, the then chieftain (Viceroy) of the Vijaynagar Kingdom. - Raja Wadiyar I (1552-1617) sent men to get the jewels back from Almalemma. - To avoid capture, she collected the jewels in her sari and fled towards River Cauvery. - Before jumping into the river and committing suicide, she uttered a devastating curse. What Is The Curse Of Talakadu “Talakadu maralagali, Malangi maduvagali, Mysuru dhorege makkalilladhe hogali” The 400 years old curse has three key aspects: May Talakadu be buried under sand May Malangi turn into a whirlpool May the kings of Mysuru be heirless Did The Curse Of Talakadu Come True Many believe the events described in the curse closely align with what followed. The whole of Talakadu was under thick sand dunes. The whirlpools in the river did originate around the time of Alamelamma’s curse. Even today the Mysore Kings historically adopted heirs instead of having natural successors. Many believe the curse continues to hold power even today. The Mystery of this phenomenon is unclear as the area ought to have been fertile owing to its proximity to the river. PC: Pratima Prakash Talakadu Curse: Natural Phenomenon Or Mystery Despite the many reasons to believe that the curse has come true, Geologists consider the environmental phenomenon as the cause of entire Talakadu to be blanketed by sand dunes. In short Geologists see it as an ecological disaster. Environmental Reasons For Talakadu To Be Covered In Sand: Changes in the flow of the river Deforestation in earlier centuries Wind-driven Sand deposition over time However, locals still attribute this transformation to the powerful Talakadu curse — one that supposedly altered the fate of an entire region. PC: Pratima Prakash Buried Temples Of Talakadu Nearly 30 temples were buried beneath the sand dunes over centuries. There were whole Temples excavated from the sand; one could imagine the size of the sand dunes! Amongst the temples excavated, there are 5 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva called the Panchalingeshwara Temples. Vaidhyeshwara Pathaleshwara Maruleshwara Arkeshwara Mallikarjuna The Talakadu temples are associated with the five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky). Thousands of devotees visit Talakadu during Maha Shivaratri to show their deep respect and devotion. PC: Pratima Prakash How To Reach Talakadu From Major Cities From Mysuru: 50 km (1.5 hours by road) From Bengaluru: 140 km (3–4 hours by road) It takes a few hours from Bangalore and about an hour from Mysore. As you travel, the entire region is abundant with green fields and water until you reach Talakadu, which is covered in dunes of sand. Also Read: Travel guide to all the wonderful places to visit in Mysore Top Things To Do In Talakadu - Explore the Panchalingeshwara Temples - Visit the Keerthinarayana Temple - Have fun along the Cauvery Riverbanks - See the excavated temple ruins - Get an aerial view from the Madavamantri Dam Viewpoint Travel Tips As Talakadu in Karnataka is a small town, it is best visited as a day-trip. October to March is the best time to visit Talakadu’s sand dunes. Private vehicles or taxis are recommended, as public transport is limited. Suggested Reads: Top 11 reasons to visit Karnataka Final Words Today, Talakadu is more than just a cursed land. It’s a place where myth, history, and geography converge. Beyond curses and ruins, Talakadu is a peaceful village overlooking the Madavamantri Dam that is rich inhistory, spirituality, and rural charm. Whether the Talakadu curse is a myth or coincidence, it remains a destination that invites curiosity in travellers year after year. FAQs Are there ancient temples buried in the sand at Talakadu? Yes, there are numerous temples that are still buried in the sand of Talakadu. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has excavated a few temples, that includes the Pataleshwara, Vaidyeshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, and Mallikarjuna temples. What are some nearby attractions to visit around Talakadu? Some nearby attractions to visit around Talakadu are Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra Falls, Somnathapura, Biligiriranga Hills and Brindavan Garden. Is the Talakadu curse a legend or a scientific phenomenon? While many believe in Alamelamma’s curse, one cannot deny the scientific cause as well.  This intriguing site for both spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts remains a mystery for all.

There’s no doubt that the Earth is extraordinary at ground level, but some of its most breathtaking events occur far above us. Natural sky phenomena are scientifically documented atmospheric, astronomical, and electromagnetic events that take place in Earth’s skies and near-space environment. Many of these phenomena—studied extensively by organizations such as NASA, ESA, and national meteorological agencies—are visible to the naked eye under the right conditions. From auroras to green flashes, from volcanic lightning to shooting stars, here’s a curated list of 15 spectacular natural sky phenomena, explaining what they are, how they form, where they are seen, and when they occur. Spectacular Sky Phenomena That Must Be Experienced It’s a fascinating world above us, sometimes the sky is a thick blanket of fog, sometimes it is a sober grey andsometimes it is bright and clear. When sunlight, ice crystals, rain droplets, atmospheric gases, and Earth’s magnetic field interact, a wide range of optical, electrical, and astronomical phenomena are produced. Join us as we take you through some of the best natural sky phenomena the world has ever seen. 1. Circumhorizontal Arcs (Fire Rainbows) Circumhorizontal Arcs are natural sky phenomena where rainbow‑like bands of color appear near the horizon. Despite their name, they have nothing to do with fire or rain. Type: Atmospheric optical phenomenon How They Form: When sunlight hits ice crystals in cirrus clouds that are very high in the sky. Visible In: Mid-latitude regions When: Late Spring and Summer Months 2. Lenticular Clouds Lenticular clouds are stationary, lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes and are often mistaken for UFOs. Type: Atmospheric cloud formation How They Form: Moist air flowing over mountains or tall structures creates standing waves where condensation occurs. Visible In: Mountainous regions worldwide When: Most common in winter and spring 3. Light Pillars Light pillars appear as vertical columns of light extending upward or downward from a light source. Type: Luminous optical phenomenon How They Form: Reflection of light from various small ice crystals suspended in the cold air. Visible In: Russia, Canada, and Finland When: Below-freezing conditions 4. Monarch Butterflies The annual migration of monarch butterflies is one of the most amazing biological sky phenomena on Earth. No individual butterfly lives through the whole migration, with female monarchs laying eggs and their offspring continuing the migrations. Type: Biological migration phenomenon How They Form: Butterflies migrate south, guided by environmental cues and solar orientation. Visible In: North America When: Autumn months 5. Catatumbo Lightning Catatumbo lightning is a unique atmospheric phenomenon known for its extraordinary frequency and intensity. Type: Atmospheric electrical phenomenon How They Form: Warm moist air collides with cool wind from the mountains, creating persistent electrical storms. Visible In: Lake Maracaibo basin, Venezuela When: Up to 260 nights per year 6. Mammatus Clouds The mammary clouds are a rare pouch‑like formations that hang beneath larger clouds. Type: Severe weather cloud formation How They Form: Cool air sinks into warmer air and is often associated with severe thunderstorms. Visible In: Worldwide When: Typically, after severe storms 7. Sundog (Mock Sun) A sundog, also known as a “mock sun” is a natural phenomena in sky where bright spots appear on either side of the sun. It is more frequent than many of the other natural sky phenomena. Type: Atmospheric optical phenomenon How They Form: They occur due to the refraction of sunlight through icy clouds. Visible In: Himalayas and Inner Mongolia When: Winter, when it is very cold 8. Auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) Auroras, also known as the polar lights are luminous curtains of color dancing across polar skies. They are continuously monitored by space agencies, as auroras are directly linked to space weather and solar activities. Type:  Atmospheric astronomical phenomenon How They Form: When electrically charged particles released from the sun enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases in the air. Visible In: Arctic and Antarctic regions When: Dark winter months during increased solar activity Also Read:  When and Where To See the Northern Lights 9. Nacreous Clouds (Mother-of-Pearl Clouds) Nacreous Clouds, also known as polar stratospheric clouds, are rare clouds that glow with an iridescent sheen. Despite their rarity, these clouds are studied closely to understand their role in stratospheric chemical reactions. Type: Polar stratospheric cloud phenomenon      How They Form: The setting sun lies lower than the clouds, creating a colorful iridescent shine as they reflect sunbeams back. Visible In: Polar regions where the air is cold and dry. When: Twilight hours of winter 10. Volcanic Lightning (Dirty Thunderstorms) Volcanic lightning occurs when lightning is generated during explosive volcanic eruptions. Type: Geological–atmospheric phenomenon How They Form: Ash picks up extra friction, creating static electricity that creates spectacular lightning. Visible In: Active volcanic regions When: Major volcanic eruptions in the night 11. Starling Murmurations Starling Murmurations, often termed the “black sun,” occur when thousands of birds fly together in synchronized patterns. Type: Biological sky phenomenon How They Form: When thousands of birds fly in co-ordinated movement to avoid predators and enhance group communication. Visible In: Europe, especially in the UK When: Late autumn and winter 12. Halos And Fogbows Halos and fogbows are circular light displays surrounding the Sun or Moon. Type: Atmospheric optical phenomenon How They Form: Light refracts through ice crystals or tiny fog droplets. Visible In: Worldwide When: Cold or foggy conditions 13. Green Flash The green flash is a rare sky phenomenon where a brief burst of green light is seen at the Sun’s edge. Type: Optical atmospheric phenomenon How They Form: The sun’s rays are bent by the Earth’s atmosphere to form a colorful haze on the horizon. Visible In: Ocean horizons and flat landscapes When: Just after sunset or before sunrise 14. Moonbows (Lunar Rainbows) Image Source: stock.adobe.com Moonbows are rainbows created by moonlight rather than the usual sunlight. Type: Optical phenomenon How They Form: Light from the moon reflects and refracts through water droplets in the sky. Visible In: Near waterfalls under full moon conditions When: Full moon nights with dark skies 15. Shooting Stars (Meteors) Image Source: istock Shooting stars are actually not stars but small pieces of rock or dust hitting Earth’s atmosphere from space. Chances of seeing this natural phenomenon in the sky is very high. Type: Astronomical phenomenon How They Form: When meteoroids enter the earth’s atmosphere at high speed, the friction causes them to heat up and glow. Visible In: Worldwide When: Frequent during meteor showers Final Words The sky above is like a living canvas where optical illusions, night sky phenomena and astronomical events unfold their magic. Getting to witness them not only inspires awe but also help us understand Earth’s atmosphere and how we are connected to the universe above. Hence, make sure to add some of these spectacular natural phenomena in the world to your bucket list. FAQs  Which destinations are best for sky-watching natural phenomena? Some of the top global destinations for sky-watching natural phenomena are NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia), Death Valley National Park (USA), Canary Islands (Spain), Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve (New Zealand), Ladakh & Spiti Valley (India). What is the natural phenomenon of the blue sky? Since blue light has the shortest wavelengths, it is scattered more than any other colors. This is the reason why we see a blue sky at all times. Red light has the longest wavelength and violet and blue light have the shortest wavelengths. Do all rainbows have 7 colors? The most beautiful of all the phenomenon is the appearance of the rainbow in the sky. Even though there are infinite colors in a rainbow the cells in our eyes can see only Red, Green, orange and Blue colors. What is the rarest sky phenomenon? As confirmed by NASA, the blue super moons are the rarest sky phenomenon. The blue moon appears once every ten years due to astronomical conditions. Sometimes the intervals of their appearance can be as long as twenty years too. Hence the famous phrase “once in a blue moon”. What conditions make sky phenomena like auroras more visible? Key factors that increase your chances for witnessing the auroras are clear skies, total darkness, and the right geographical location.