Eternal Kaveri: Historical Sites along South India’s Greatest River

The volume opens with the story of the river itself, beginning in the wooded hills of Kodagu and ending on the Coromandel coast. Clare Arni and the editor George Michell chart the course of the Kaveri and the most important historical monuments that lie on or near its banks. Indira Peterson turns to Tamil literature to explore the river in myth and legend, especially the stories of the Kaveri being transformed into a Goddess. The first historical location on the Kaveri to be examined in detail is Tipu’s island fortress of Srirangapattana. Kate Brittlebank notes the ramparts and temples, as well as the mosque and tomb of Haidar and Tipu. Kelleson Collyer concentrates on Somnathpur and Talakad, the riverside temple sites associated with the Ganga and Hoysala rulers of southern Karnataka. The celebrated Srirangam island in the plains of Tamil Nadu forms the topic of Crispin Branfoot’s chapter. Two major religious complexes are found here, only a short distance from the famous rock fort of Tiruchirappalli. The Kaveri delta is dotted with cities and temple towns. Tanjavur, political centre of central Tamil Nadu for more than one thousand years, is described by Daud Ali. Vivek Nanda considers the urban layout and shrines of nearby Kumbakonam, famous for the Mahamakam festival that takes place here every twelve years.