A friend and I visited the Shivanasamudra Falls (twin falls Gaganachukki and Barachukki) from Bangalore last month.
We reached Majestic bus stop at 7 AM, in the hope of getting a direct bus to Shivanasamudra, only to be told that we would get one from the Mysore Satellite stop. Thus, we boarded a bus to Mysore Satellite and then another one from there, for our journey to Shivanasamudra.
Once at Shivanasamudra, we hired an auto to cover both the falls (500 bucks for the entire auto journey). The rates are lesser on weekends, as you can get a shared auto.
Both the Barachukki and Gaganachukki falls are at their full glory in the monsoons. The Barachukki falls seemed better maintained than the Gaganachukki (with benches and stairs along the viewpoint). There is a KSTDC hotel named Hotel Mayura at Barachukki, for those who wish to stay there.
After a quick lunch at one of the eateries near the falls, we took another bus to Talakadu (a sleepy town of temples).
We booked an auto from the Talakadu bus stop to take us to the main sand temple (there are 5 temples, partially covered in sand). It is believed a lady named Alamelamma had cursed the town before plunging to her death in the waters of the Kaveri, when Maharaja Wadiyar I tried to take away her jewels after her husband's death. The town of Talakadu was soon completely covered in sand due to the curse.
We explored the temples of Talakadu and then walked down to the Kaveri riverside (where you can get coracle rides and small fruit/chaat/food stalls). We had some "nippat masala" at one of the stalls.
The journey back was quite hectic, as there are apparently no direct buses from Talakadu to Bangalore. So we had to get a bus from Talakadu to Malevalli, a 2nd bus from Malevalli to Maddur, and a 3rd bus from Maddur to Mysore Satellite bus stop in Bangalore.
The journey to and fro can be tiring if done by bus. It's easier if you have a bike or a car.
PS: Beware of monkeys at both Shivanasamudra and Talakadu. A monkey came and snatched away a chips packet from my friend's bag at the Barachukki viewpoint.
Pro tip: Try the famous delicacy Maddur Vada at Maddur.