Panchalinga Darshana is a sacred fiesta held once every twelve years in the ancient temple town of Talakad on the banks of the Kaveri River in Karnataka.

The temple town Talakadu is located on the banks of Kaveri River, was an ancient town earlier ruled by the Kadamba Dynasty, Chola Dynasty, Chalukya Dynasty and Rastrakuta Dynasty. It is about 45 km from the Mysore.

The five temples where Panchalinga Darshana happens are Kshethra Sri Vaidyanatheshwara, Sri Pathaleshwara, Sri Maruleshwara, Sri Arakeshwara and Sri Mudukuthore Mallikarjuneshwara are believed to be Panchalingas and thus have become famous.

Panchalinga Darshana takes place concurrently at these five temples of Shiva or Mahadeva which are decorated with plantain stalks and flowers. Here the pilgrims of Panchalinga Darshana offer their dedication to the Gods.

Panchalinga Darshana takes elaborate preparation as millions of pilgrims attend to participate in the ceremonies, spread over a period of five days. It was last held in 2009. 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.

The date and time for the special pooja and abhisheka are decided after consulting the Panchangam to begin at the auspicious movement of Kuhumahuratha, which falls on Vishaka Nakshtra during the Krishnapaksha amavasaya of Karthika Somavara (Monday). This movement usually comes once n seven years. The last Panchalinga Darshana was held from 20th-25th November 2007 and the previous one was held 13 years earlier. B

efore the beginning of the special pooja, the head priest accompanied by more than 10 priests, takes holy dip at the Gokarna Pushkarni (Holy lake), adjacent to the lord Vadyanatheswara temple at the appointed time and brings the agrodaka (Water from the Pushkarani) to perform Ganga Pooja to the Gods.

On this occasion poojas is performed to Lord Shakthi Ganpathi, Manonmani Devi, Chandikeshwara and Veerabhadraswamy. Later poojas is performed to Arakeshwara, Pathalaeswara, Maraleshwara and Mallikarjuneswara.

After the Panchalinga Darshana culminates, it would be followed by Gajaraohana, Sridivya Brahama Rathotsava (Chariot procession) will be held and Sri Shyanotsava the following day.

Theppotsava is scheduled on third day and poorvaka Kailsavanahana on fourth day and the next day the event would conclude with Nandi Vahanotsava.