Bhagamandala is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Kodagu District of Karnataka. Bhagamandala is situated on the Kaveri River in its upstream stretches. At this place, two tributaries, the Kannike River and the mythical Sujyoti River, join the Kaveri River. Bhagamandala is considered sacred as a river confluence of three rivers (also called as Triveni Sangama in Kannada language.
During Tulu Festival, this falls on October 17 or 18 every year. Pilgrims gather here in large numbers to take the holy dip in the Triveni sangama and to perform rituals to their ancestors before proceeding to Talakaveri, the birthplace of Kaveri River.
Famous Bhagandeshwara Temple is situated in short distance from the Triveni Sangama. This place is also known as Bhagandeshwara Kshetra, from which the name Bhagamandala is derived. The Bhagandeswara temple complex though said to have been built by the Cholas prior to the 11th century follows the gabled roof style of the Kerala temple architecture common on the west coast.
There are four temples in the temple complex dedicated to Lord Ishwara, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Ganapathi. The Ganapathy temple is in the outer Prakara and the other three are in a line in the inner "Prakara". The Bhagandeswara temple has a simple structure consisting of a square Garbhagriha with a small Ardhamantapa. The cone shaped Shikhara has the Stupika and the golden pinnacle donated by Dodda Veera Rajendra.
An annual festival that falls in October to November invites a large number of devotees. Thousands of oil lamps are lit in the temples during the festival. During 1785-1790, Tipu Sultan captured the area. Then Tipu renamed Bhagamandala to Afesalabad. In 1790, King Dodda Veera Rajendra took Bhagamandala back into an independent Kodagu kingdom. Talakaveri, Kaveri Nisargadhama and Harangi dam are the places of interest nearby.
Bhagamandala is located about 33 km from the district headquarters of Madikeri and Bhagamandala is well connected by paved roads from Madikeri, Virajpet and nearby places in Kerala. Government and private buses are available on all of these routes.
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