Panchalinga Darshana is a holy festival held once every twelve years in the ancient temple town of Talakad on the banks of the Kaveri river in Karnataka, India.
[2] The uniqueness of this festival is that the five temple poojas begin at the same time following the ancient tradition for obtaining blessings for devotees and rulers of the country.
[5] The date and time for the special pooja and abhisheka are decided after consulting the Panchangam (Stellar almanac of Hindu tradition) to begin at the auspicious movement of Kuhumahuratha, which falls on Vishaka Nakshtra during the Krishnapaksha amavasaya of Karthika Somavara (Monday).
The last Panchalinga Darshana was held from 20—25 November 2007 and the previous one was held 13 years earlier Before the beginning the special pooja, the head priest accompanied by more than 10 priests, takes holy dip at the Gokarna Pushkarni (holy lake), adjacent to the lord Vadyanatheswara temple at the appointed time and brings the agrodaka (Water from the Pushkarani) to perform Ganga Pooja to the Gods.
After the Panchalinga Darshana culminates, it would be followed by Gajaraohana, Sridivya Brahama Rathotsava (Chariot procession) will be held and Sri Shyanotsava the following day.