Melkote – Not just for piligrims
I was doubtful till the last minute about the weather. Unseasonal rains pouring in and around Bangalore were the main cause for my worries. But thankfully weather was on our side till the last minute. We started quite early reaching the Kamat Lokruchi by 9. Our target was to reach Melkote by 10, which we achieved.
Lake on the way to Melkote
Melukote (map: 12.65,76.67) in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, is one of the sacred places in Karnataka. The place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. It is about 30 miles from Mysore and 97 miles from Bangalore.
Route: From Bangalore after Mandya on Mysore state highway take a right turn after Mandya town. Its around 20kms from the highway. The roads are pretty decent.
There are two temples at Melkote. Yoganarasimha swami temple on the top of the hill and Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple.
Kalyani of the temple is one of the largest temple ponds in India. Its been featured in many movies.
Top view of Kalyani. Taken from the top of Yoganarasimha swami temple.
Unfinished entrance pillars built by kings of Vijayanagar( Hampi) called Mukya Dwara. You would have seen them in films like Guru, Gaalipata etc
Man on the steps of Kalyani. I am not sure what is he thinking about.
Kid on the steps of Yoganarasimha swami temple. He too is in deep thought.
Melkote is not just for pilgrims. If you are a nature lover or photographer I am sure you will like it. Its a great place for a long drive from Bangalore.
seems like cool place to visit. Will put in my “to visit’ list ..
nice snaps too .
nice photos… planning to go there sometime in April :)
Nice pics Thej…Especially the last one!! :)
cool maga
did u eat pongal at the temple?
Yes. We had pongal and puliyogare.
Went there couple of weeks ago… got sun burnt :(
i worship that place, it”s my native place.i love it.
Melukote is one sacred place where the great saint Sri Ramanujacharya spent more than a decade and
every inch of the soil there is sacred. One has to spend
a night there in one’s lifetime
Super maga place :)
Ah… melkote …heavenly place !! check out our visit
2 bikes , 2 riders , 300kms…
http://theloapers.blogspot.com/2011/01/25-melkote-281110-place-melkote.html
http://prabhukarthik03.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/25-melkote-281110/
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