Coorg - Cofee Plantations in Western Ghats, Karnataka

River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 kms from Madikeri.

There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.

Legends also has it that every year on Tulasankramana day (approximately on 17 October) Goddess Parvati appears in the Kundike as the sacred teerthodbhava. This occasion is marked by the sudden unsurge of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious From Talakaveri, steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, tourists can enjoy a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills.

Talacauvery is 44 km from Madikeri. This is a sacred pilgrim centre among the kodavas. It is from here that the river Cauvery takes its birth. Steps lead up from the spring which is the Kaveri's source to the summit of the hill, commanding a superb view. In October on Sankaramana day, thousand gather to see a miracle the sudden bubbling and frothing of the small well, symbolising the appearance of the Goddess Cauvery.

Unlike other hill stations atop the western Ghats, Mercara is quiet and less commercialized. It has a long history again unlike others. It also boasts of the origin of the river Kaveri South India's life line in the nearby Talakaveri. Talacauvery Origin of river Cauvery