TALAKAVERI - VISWANATH TEMPLE  

As visitors move further from Bhima Kallu, there is another big boulder called the Salam Kallu. People visiting the shrine and learning its origin salute them from this spot both while going up and coming down. It has an exciting story recorded in the history, and the achieves are preserving it. According to it, Tippu Sultan in his zeal for conquering Mercara and Coorg made repeated attacks. Once while going on this way, he saw the temple towers and greed lurking in mind seduced him to loot its property. 

But was suddenly overpowered by a mysterious feeling. His inner voice forbade his going ahead. And accomplishing his lust for power and pelf. His further march was stopped abruptly, as he realised the divinity hovering over the area. And he attributed it, rightly to the powers of Mother Cauvery. Being a cultured man with infinite religious tolerance, he ordered for graceful retreat of the army. He saluted Mother Cauvery and the shrines before his retreat. And hence that name - Salam Kallu and salutation invariably by everyone passing it. 

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