Melukote

Melukote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, in southern India, is one of the sacred places in Karnataka. The place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram.

It is built on rocky hills, known as Yadugiri, Yaadavagiri and Yadushailadweepa, overlooking the Cauvery valley. Melukote is about 51 km (32 miles) from Mysore. Melukote is the location of the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, with a collection of crowns and jewels which are brought to the temple for the annual celebration. On the top of the hill is the temple of Yoganarasimha. Many more shrines and ponds are located in the town. Melukote is home to the Academy ofSanskrit Research, which has collected thousands of manuscripts. Early in the 12th century, the famous Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, stayed at Melukote for about 12 years. It has thus become a prominent centre of the Srivaishnava sect.

The principal temple is a square building of large dimensions but very plain, dedicated to Lord Cheluva-Narayana Swamy or Thirunarayana. The utsavamurthi, which is a metallic image, represents the deity who is called Shelvapillai, Cheluva Raya and Cheluvanarayana Swamy. It is believed that this utsavamurthi beloned to and was worshipped by Lord Rama and the kings of the surya vamsa Dynasty for generations. Later the same deity was given to a king of Chandra vamsam (the dynasty of Lord Krishna) and was worshipped by Lord Krishna and many generations. So CheluvaNarayana is so unique that he was worshipped by both Rama and Krishna. Vairamudi which literally means The Diamond Crown is a festival, which is the chief annual celebration, is attended by more than 400,000 people, Opening Times- Sri Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple Darshana Timings - 9 30 AM to 1 30 PM 5 30 PM to 8 00 PM Special Days [Saturday, Sunday & Govt Holidays] - 7 30 AM to 1 30 PM 3 30 PM to 6 00 PM 7 00 PM to 8 00 PM Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple Darshana Timings - 7 30 AM to 1 00 PM 4 00 PM to 6 00 PM 7 00 PM to 8 00 PM Transport Melukote is about 51 km Entry Fee, there are frequent buses to this place . No Entry fee.

Distance: 57 km from Mysuru