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Karnataka Melkote Temple
Melkote is a significant place of pilgrimage which is located at a distance of around 51 km from Mysore and is 133 km distant from Bangalore. It is located in the taluk of Pandavapura in the Mandya district. As per the mythology, the Melkote was called as Narayanadri, Yadavadri, Vedadri, Thirunarayanapura and Yathishaila as this place has a Narayanaswamy temple constructed on granite hill which consists of few of the ancient formations of rock on earth referred to as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri which overlooked the valley of Cauvery. Melkote is quite popular for several well known temples as well as a festival known as Vairamudi. It is considered as a sacred centre of pilgrimage for Sri Vaishnavas. This place is considered as one of the most sacred places in Karnataka.
History
It was in the early period of 12th century, there was a great Srivaishnava saint whose name was Sri Ramanuja who used to live here and almost for a period of about 14 years. Hence it became a major centre for the Brahmins of Srivaishnava sect who had gained from Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala king, who became the follower of Acharya, and there was an assignment of the fertile land tracts in the neighborhood, basically the Ashta Gramas, on either of the embankment of the river Cauvery.
Muslim Invasion
The 14th century witnessed sufferings from Muslim invaders at this place and the Hoysala king had retired here. It was at Tondanur, the southern hill foot where there was a subsequent re-storage in around 1460, by the chief of Nagamangala, the Thimmanna Dannayaka, who had been the commander of army of the king of Vijaynagar, Immadi Prudhadeva Raya or Mallikarjuna.
Architecture
The prominent temple here has a square building consisting of large dimensions yet very plain, and is in dedication of Lord Cheluva-Narayana Swamy also referred to as Tirunarayana. The utsavamurthi, a metallic image, represents the deity which is known by the name Cheluvapille Raya or called as Cheluvanarayana Swamy sometimes whose original name had its derivation from Ramapriya. As per a legend, the metallic image got lost and had been found by Sri Ramanujacharya.
The temple consists of an amazing gopuram. There are shrines such as Ramanuja shrine along with the idols of Yadugiriamma and Alwars spotted in this temple. The temple is enriched with endowments, and consists of the most precious collection of the jewels as it comprises of the beautiful patronage of the kings of Mysore. The Mysore Maharaja, Raja Wodeyar had gifted a Gold Crown set studded with precious stones called as Rajamudi. The king of Mysore, Tipu Sultan had donated a Nagari as well as an elephant to this temple. The king of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar had gifted a Crown set studded with valuable stones called as Krishnarajamudi. There is one more Crown in this temple known as Vairamudi. All these 3 crowns have been used to adorn the utsavamurthy during the jatra held during March-April every year and is visited by a large number of devotees.
Significance of the Temple
According to legends, in the early 12th century, this place witnessed great rivalries between Vaishnav and Shiva sects in the southern parts of India. The Vaishnavas got persecuted by the Cholas, who had been the kings of Tamilnadu during those times. Sri Ramanujacharya, who was the major preacher of Vaishvism, was compelled to run away from Chola rule. He was permitted to live in exile at the Melkote region by the then Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. In the 14th century, Hoysala Kings had to encounter defeat from the Muslim forces and hence this place witnessed the destruction. The town got plundered by the invaders. However it got restored during the reign of Vijayanagar rulers.
Melkote, basically known for the Cheluvanarayana temple located here draws a large number of devotees coming here and they consider this place as one of the most sacred destination. Tourists also gather here in large number due to the collection of jewels and crowns which are brought here for the annual festival celebration. There is a Yoganarsimha temple on the top of the hill. There are several other shrines and ponds found in this town.
How to Reach
Melkote is at a distance of 133 kms from the city of Bangalore and lies 51 kms distant from Mysore and the distance from Srirangapatha is 35 kms. There are KSRTC Buses which offer their service on a regular basis from Mysore to Melkote. Besides this, one can reach there by catching a bus which plies from Mysore to Tumkur and get down at a place referred to as Jakkanahalli Cross.
Timings
08.30 am to 12.30 pm, 04.00 pm to 06.00 pm and 07.00 pm to 08.30 pm
on Saturday and Sunday, timings for pooja are 8.30 am to 01.30 pm
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