Melukote
Yoganarasimha swamy temple
Melkote, a religious and a pilgrim centre for Hindus, is located in Mandya
district of Karnataka state in India. This place is very well known for various
famous temples and a festival called Vairamudi takes place here when devotees
come from all parts of India. Daily cultural activities like devotional songs,
classical dances take place in the Chaluvanarayana swamy temple premesis. This
place is also a well known location to film makers for shooting as the
surrounding contains lot of scenic areas.
How to reach
Visitors coming from Bangalore towards
Mysore have to take right diversion Just after Mandya town. From Mandya,
Melukote is nearly 40 Kms. People travelling from Mysore have to come towards
Srirangapatna (15 Kms from Mysore). Just after Srirangapatna, take left
diversion to proceed towards Pandavapura. From Pandavapura, Melukote is 34 Kms.
At Pandavapura railway station, visitors have two choices to reach Melukote.
They can proceed taking right turn to reach Pandavapura town and again take
left diversion to reach Melukote via T.S. Chatra, Mahadeshwarapura, Bellale and
Jakkanahalli. From Jakkanahalli Melukote is only 5 Kms. Total distance from
Pandavapura to Melukote via this route is 22Kms. From Pandavapura railway
station people shall have one more route to reach Melukote. They can proceed
straight after Pandavapura railway station and reach a place called
Chinakuruli. From Chinakuruli Melukote is 18Kms. Melukote is 27 Kms from
K.R.Pet. From Nagamangala Melukote is nearly 27 Kms.
Places to visit in Melukote
The entire Melukote is occupied
with so many visiting places including temples and ponds. Sri Yoganarasimha
Swamy temple is located at the top of the hill. People can climb the steps from
the ground level or they can take their vehicles (only light motor vehicles)
almost nearer to the temple. But still some more steps are to be climbed to
reach the temple.
The pooja timings at Yoganarasimha
temple are, 9.00 to 10.00am (Nithyakatle).
Abhisheka will be done from 10.00 to 11.00am and darshan will be from 11.00am
to 1.00pm. Evening darshan is from 5.30pm to 8.00pm. During Saturdays, Sundays
and public holidays, the darshan will be from 11.00am to 2.00pm and 5.00pm to
8.00pm. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple but people can
carry their cameras along with them.
Very good Vegetarian food is
available everywhere here. Parking facilities is available nearby in almost all
the visiting places for light motor vehicles. The main transportation to
Melukote is by bus from Mandya, K.R.Pet, Nagamangala and Pandavapura (or
Srirangapatna). The nearest railway station is the district head quarters,
Mandya.
A car festival of Sri Yoganarasimha swamy is held here annually on this auspicious day.