Melkote is dotted with more than
30 ponds, and quaint stories are told regarding the origin of some of the
ponds, as for instance the akka -
thangiyara ponds.
The story goes that of two
sisters, one willingly constructed a pond, while the other did so unwillingly.
As a result, the pond built by the latter has brackish water, while the one
right next to it, built by the other sister has sweet water!
Ashta Tirtha Festival
A unique festival in Melkote, is
the Ashta tirtha festival, in the month of Kartika, instituted during the
Wodeyar period (16th century). During this festival, the satari is given holy baths (tirumanjanam)
with the waters of eight tirthas of Melkote, mentioned in the Naradiya Purana. The eight tirthas are —
Vedapushkarini, Yadava, Darbha, Palasa, Padma, Parasara, Narayana and Vaikuntha
Ganga.
The ashta tirtha festival begins
with the processional deities of the Lord and His two Consorts being taken to Kalyani Tirtha. The satari is then brought from the temple, and is given a ceremonial
dip in the Kalyani tirtha, from where it proceeds to the Vedapushkarini for
tirumanjanam. A difficult climb up rocks then takes one to Danushkoti, where
water comes out of a rock to form a pool. It is believed that to quench Sita’s
thirst, Lord Rama struck the rock with His arrow, and water came out of it. Water
from the pool in Dhanushkoti is sprinkled on the satari, which is then taken to
the remaining seven tirthas for a holy bath. The eight tirthas represent the Ashtakshara mantra. When the satari finally returns to the temple
around midnight, a complete circumambulation of Yadavagiri has been done.
It is a pleasure to take a stroll
around Melkote, clamber up the rocky cliffs, and to sit on the banks of the
town’s many ponds with silence for a companion. The ponds of Melkote remain
unsullied, and the people use them responsibly.