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Bird's-eye view of Bhagamandala town and temples among green Coorg hills

Home › Sacred places › Bhagamandala, Talakaveri & Irupu Falls

Pilgrimage & heritage route · from Madikeri (Coorg)

Bhagamandala, Talakaveri & Irupu Falls route, cost & what to book

Deep in Coorg's forested hills, this short circuit traces the source of the Kaveri, one of South India's most sacred rivers.

Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Duration1–2 days
Starts fromMadikeri
Cost from₹2,000 each
Stops5
Best timeAugust–September for the Kaveri Sankramana festival at the river's source, though it's very crowded then
Good forFamilies, Solo, Couples

Deep in Coorg's forested hills, this short circuit traces the source of the Kaveri, one of South India's most sacred rivers. Bhagamandala, where three rivers meet, is the starting point; Talakaveri, a short climb further up, is the river's symbolic birthplace with sweeping Western Ghats views; and Irupu Falls, on the way back, is both a pilgrimage and swimming spot in a forest setting. It pairs naturally with a Coorg stay without duplicating Madikeri town itself.

Step 2 of 6Next: Route
Your trip plan · PDF

Bhagamandala, Talakaveri, planned for you

Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Madikeri to Bhagamandala to Talakaveri
    • TravelMadikeri₹300
    • TravelBhagamandala₹60
    • TravelTalakaveri₹30
  2. Day 2 Irupu Falls to Return to Madikeri

₹49 once, 5 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Madikeri → Bhagamandala → Talakaveri → Irupu Falls · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Base — bus from Mysuru (3 h) or Bengaluru (6 h) Map ↗
  2. 2
    35 km, bus or taxi, where the Kaveri, Kanike and mythical Sujyoti rivers are said to meet Map ↗
  3. 3
    8 km further uphill, a short climb to the river's source and a viewpoint Map ↗
  4. 4
    Back towards Madikeri, then a detour of about 45 km Map ↗
  5. 5
    Bus or taxi Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹520 per person.

Step 3 of 6Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

Your group₹4,000
Couple · from Madikeri
Per person₹2,000

A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.

Step 4 of 6Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 5 of 6Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

Base in Madikeri, since none of the three stops has meaningful overnight infrastructure of its own.

Food

Coorgi cuisine in Madikeri — pandi curry and akki roti for those who eat meat, kadambuttu and vegetable curries for those who don't.

Local tip: Go early to Talakaveri for both cooler climbing weather and the clearest Western Ghats views before any midday haze sets in.
Step 6 of 6Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Bhagamandala, Talakaveri?

1–2 days, starting from Madikeri (Coorg).

What is the best time for Bhagamandala, Talakaveri?

August–September for the Kaveri Sankramana festival at the river's source, though it's very crowded then. October to February is the calmer, clearer window for the same views.

How much does Bhagamandala, Talakaveri cost?

From about ₹2,000 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹520.

What needs to be booked in advance?

A vehicle for the day (must book): Bus connections between these three points are limited — a taxi for the day is the practical way to do this circuit. Kaveri Sankramana dates: If travelling in August–September, check the exact festival date — the site gets extremely crowded that one day each year.

Where do pilgrims stay?

Base in Madikeri, since none of the three stops has meaningful overnight infrastructure of its own.

What about food?

Coorgi cuisine in Madikeri — pandi curry and akki roti for those who eat meat, kadambuttu and vegetable curries for those who don't.

Guides for Bhagamandala, Talakaveri & Irupu Falls

Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.

Bangalore to Coorg: Distance, Every Way to Get There and What It CostsBangalore to Coorg (Madikeri) is about 255 km by road, roughly 3 h 20 min of free-flow driving via Mysuru. KSRTC…Read the guide →

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Pranchiyettan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Shanmugamp7 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh · CC BY 4.0 · source

1–2 days · —
Route