Pleach India Foundation

15/09/2026

Join us for 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 – 𝟴𝟮, where we journey into the buried history of Talakadu, a historic city shaped, and eventually concealed, by the shifting sands of the Kaveri.

This session will explore the archaeological remains of Talakadu, its historical evolution, and the cultural significance of the city through the centuries. The talk will shed light on its temples, architecture, material remains, and the changing landscape that gradually buried much of the ancient settlement beneath layers of sand. Through archaeological evidence and historical insights, the session will offer a fascinating glimpse into Talakadu’s past and the story of a city beneath the sands.

The talk will be delivered by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗠.𝗦. 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆, Professor Emeritus, Department of Archaeology, University of Mysore.

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Talakadu – A City Beneath the Sands
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 18th September 2026 | 05:00 PM
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83931301769...
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗗: 839 3130 1769
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲: 324070 See less

15/09/2026

Known for its temples and striking sand-covered landscape, the 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗱𝘂 in 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗮 dating from the 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗘, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s religious, architectural and cultural heritage. Once an important centre of the Ganga dynasty, the town later witnessed the influence of the Cholas and Hoysalas, among others. Several temples, many dedicated to Lord Shiva, were gradually buried beneath the sands, giving Talakadu its distinctive character as a “lost” temple town. The surviving temples, including the 𝗩𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗔𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗷𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 reflect the region’s rich religious and architectural traditions.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

Plan your visit during 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗮, celebrated from 𝟭𝟭–𝟮𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 and combine the festivities of Mysuru with a journey to the historic temple town of Talakadu. Explore its sand-covered landscape, ancient temples and the cultural heritage of the Cauvery region.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

The nearest airport is Mysuru Airport, located approximately 45–50 km from Talakadu, which can be conveniently reached by road.

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽:

Explore the heritage of 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗸, renowned for its fine craftsmanship, smooth texture and distinctive zari work and discover the region’s long-standing silk-weaving tradition.

14/09/2026

08/09/2026

Rising above the Kondapalli Hills near Vijayawada, Kondapalli Fort is a remarkable 14th-century CE fortress traditionally attributed to Prolaya Vema Reddy of the Reddy Kingdom. Built with stone, granite and lime mortar, its Dargah Darwaza, Golconda Darwaza, Tanisha Mahal and fortified walls reflect centuries of political and military history, while its hilltop setting offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the Krishna River.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄?

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of 𝗩𝗶𝗷𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗨𝘁𝘀𝗮𝘃 from 𝟭𝟭–𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and explore Kondapalli Fort alongside Vijayawada’s vibrant music, dance, art and cultural celebrations.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

The nearest airport is Vijayawada Airport, located approximately 45 km from Kondapalli Fort. It can be reached by road from Vijayawada and is also accessible by rail through Kondapalli Railway Station, making it a convenient destination for exploring the region.

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽:

Explore the famous 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘆𝘀, traditionally crafted from the soft poniki wood and known for their colourful figures and traditional themes.

07/09/2026

Some archaeological objects continue to intrigue us, offering glimpses into the creativity, imagination and craftsmanship of the past while leaving questions about their original purpose.

In this excerpt from Pleach Talk 40, Dr. Bhuvan Vikrama discusses a remarkable object whose purpose and significance remain a mystery.

Explore the reel to learn more about this intriguing discovery from the past.