Event
The Vairamudi Festival of Karnataka is celebrated
on the fourth day of Brahmotsavam. It is celebrated in the Panguni month. The
festival is held at the temple of Cheluvanarayana at Melkote.
On this day a procession is taken out during the certain time of the day. In the procession Lord Cheluvanarayana is carried around the city. He wears the auspicious diamond studded crown that is popularly known as Vairamudi. The people step out onto the streets to be a part of the procession to receive blessings. This festival is one of the important ones in Karnataka.
Melkote Vairamudi Utsav
Melkote Temples
Melkote (also known as Melukote), a
historic town, is located at a distance of 50 km from Mysore. Melkote is
situated in Pandavapura Taluk of Mandya district. It is built on rocky hills
known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Kaveri valley. Melkote is also
referred as Thirunarayanapuram.
The famous South Indian Vaishnava
philosopher and teacher Ramanujacharya lived in this town for around 12 years
in 12th century AD.
The main temple here is a square
building of large size but very plain is dedicated to Lord Cheluva Narayana
Swamy or Tirunarayana. The utsav murthy representing the deity is referred as Cheluvapille
Raya whose original name appears to have been Ramapriya.
On the top of the hill is an attractive
temple dedicated to Lord Yoga Narasimha. It is believed that the image of Yoga
Narasimha temple was installed by Prahlada. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III presented a
gold crown to this temple.
The temple houses a large pond called
as Kalyani Theertha.
Vairamudi Utsav or Vairamudi festival
This temple of Melkote is popular for
its Vairamudi Utsav, which is held in the month of March/April, the procession
idol of Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy is decorated with a diamond crown and taken
out in procession. The Vairamudi utsav, which is the chief annual celebration,
is witnessed by more than 4 lakh people.
It is believed that the diamond crown
is not to be viewed at when it is not worn by the utsav murthy (procession
idol); hence every year, on the occasion, the officiating priest takes out the
crown from its chest with his eyes blindfolded and then places it on the head
of the idol of Sri Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy.
Other attractions at Melkote is the Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary which include leopard, jungle cat, bonnet macaque, pangolin and langur.