Triveni Sangama — Attraction in Karnataka

Tirumakudalu Narasipura (Tirumakūḍalu Narasīpura) the temple city of Karnataka, commonly known as T. Narasipura or T.N. Pura,[2] is a town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The first name refers to the land at the confluence, (trimakuta in Sanskrit (citation needed) at the confluence of the Kaveri, Kabini and Spatika Sarovara (a mythical lake or spring, also named Gupta Gamini).

This is the place in South India where Kumbhamela is held every three years. It finds a mention in the Skanda Purana as one of the Trimakuta Kshetras (holy places at the confluence of three rivers).[3] The word 'Narasipura' is the name of the town, which is derived from the famous Gunja Narasimhaswamy temple that is located on the right bank of the Kabini river. Considered as sacred as Prayag (confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswati at Prayag – Varanasi - Kashi in North India), it is also known as Dakshina Kashi The town finds mention in tourism guides, both as a tourist place and a pilgrimage centre. T. Narasipura and its surrounding areas are prehistoric sites where many Neolithic sites have been unearthed by the Department of Archeology and Museums of Karnataka. The rich and fertile areas of the taluka cultivated by the Kaveri and its tributaries, has been the source of continued uninhibited human habitation, over the centuries, as verified by the ancient archeological evidences discovered in the area. The ancient sites excavated in the late fifties and up to mid-sixties (between 1959 and 1965) on the left bank of the Kaveri near the Bhiksheswara Temple, opposite to Narasipura town, which form part of the Upper Kaveri basin, has established the Neolithic phase in the region claiming a date from the first half of second millennium BC which saw the gradual evolution of the peasants into food producing and settled communities responsible for the growth of civilization. The systematic ground excavations comprising burial ground remnants, potteries, graffiti, stone implements, metal objects, beads and bangles, animal remains, human remains, wood remains, etc. examined in depth and in great detail have revealed four cultural phases at the sites, but the most outstanding phase has been deduced as the Neolithic phase

Pancha lingas of T Narasipura region: Agasthyeshwara temple is another famous ancient temple in the town, predating Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple. (Agastya founded and sanctified the Agasthyeshwara temple. This temple complex contains many monuments belonging to the Ganga, Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara periods at Thirumakudlu, and also at the Bhiksheswara temple, the Moolasthaneshwara temple and the Anandeswara temple in the surrounding area.[3] It is said that Tirumakudalu is where Rishi Agasthya had visualised it as 'Dakshina Kashi' long ago. When he travelled down south to Narsipur, the town was a thick forest. Enamoured by the confluence of the three rivers - Kaveri, Kapila and the undercurrent of Spatika Sarovara - he wanted to install a Shiva Linga there and asked Hanuman to get him a linga from Kashi. Since the auspicious period lasting three-and-a-three-fourths of a galige was fast approaching and Hanuman failed to get the linga on time, the sage created a sand linga himself and consecrated it. An insulted Hanuman, who returned soon, cut off the top portion of the sand linga consecrated by Agasthya. Ever since this incident a perennial presence of water which is believed to be the water of Ganga can be found in the axed summit of the linga, and the same is offered as thirtha (holy water) to the pilgrims. The linga that Hanuman brought was consecrated a little distance away and is called the Hanuman Linga. The Someshwara and Markandeshwara lingams in T Narsipur and the Gargeshwara Lingam at Gargeshwari village, along with the Agasthyeshwara and the Hanuman lingam, form the panchalingas of T Narsipur, just like the five lingams...

I travelled to the Triveni Sangam to immerse the Ashes of my Dear Mother. So for me to it was a Pilgrimage as it is foe countless Hindus. The visit exposed the poor state of infrastructure and upkeep. The roads leading to this important and revered place from the highway were in bad shape. There was no signboard to provide directions. There is a Parking Fee of Rs 50 if you prefer to park near the Sangam, the but no facilities. There are a handful of small Souvenir and Gift Shops near the Sangam. But beware of the Sugar cane juice seller outside the Tipu Sultan Monument (just a kilometer before the Sangam) who misguided us saying the Sangam is Closed as the visiting hours were over. The Holy River Cavery was in full flow. Due to rains upstream, the water was muddy and turbid. The access to the water is by going down a flight of stairs (maybe about 20-30 steps). The Ghat/Steps were littered with all sorts of waste.. Discarded clothes, flowers, plastic waste, Kumkum, etc. Visitors Beware... There are no handrails or chains to hold on to. There are no barricades or chains or lifeguards or boats or life jackets to save a person who accidentally slips into the water. The last few steps are broken and dangerous to tread on. They are slippery with moss. No semblance of maintenance or upkeep. No dust bins, no drinking water taps, no rooms to change clothes or shower, no first aid or medical facilities. No facilities for the elderly visitors or the physically challenged... But yes, the local government does not forget to charge ₹100 from those immersing ashes in the water. I prayed to Maa Kaveri, not only for the soul of my Mother, who but also for the safety of the innocent visitors. I also prayed to the holy river so that she gives brains to the local politicians, the bureaucrats and officials so that they spend a fraction of the earnings from visitors on the upkeep and maintenance of ghat, the and so that the holy place is kept clean, hygienic and safe...

My recent visit to Sangam, where the Kaveri, Lokapavani, and Hemavati rivers converge, left much to be desired. While the idea of witnessing such a natural confluence was enticing, the reality was far from it.

Not clean at all: The first thing that struck me upon arrival was the appalling lack of cleanliness. Trash littered the banks of all three rivers, detracting from the natural beauty that should have been the highlight of the visit.

Stinks: The overpowering stench emanating from the polluted waters was nauseating. It was evident that sewage and other pollutants had contaminated the once pristine rivers, making it difficult to enjoy the surroundings.

Need improvement in cleaning: Improvement in cleaning efforts is imperative. The authorities must take immediate action to address the pollution issue and implement regular clean-up initiatives to restore Sangam to its former glory.

No maintenance: It was disappointing to see the lack of maintenance in such a significant natural site. The absence of basic facilities like waste bins and restroom facilities further compounded the issue.

₹80 charges: Considering the dismal state of affairs, the ₹80 entry fee seemed exorbitant. Visitors should not be expected to pay for an experience marred by neglect and pollution.

Overall, my experience at Sangam was underwhelming. Unless significant improvements are made in terms of cleanliness and maintenance, I would not recommend this site to...