Melukote - The hidden treasure of Karnataka

Promise is a big word, it makes something or breaks everything. Today is the day, to make that promise make something happen with Chimps (friend)  on a road trip. Soon the golden rays of the sun will smite  me in the face, i am on my way and picked Chimps on a journey to Melukote. Making the sun to follow us and riding on NH75, we stopped at  Tatte Idli Shop. Steamed, puffy and delectable, Idli doused in the ever-so soothing sambhar sure makes for one of  the nation's most favorite breakfast. Continuing the ride, we took left on Belur Cross to reach Melukote.

Melukote is one of the holy and sacred pilgrimages of South India in Karnataka.The holy city is located on the hillock called as Narayanagiri, which is towards north of  river Cauvery. Melukote is also the birthplace of late Tamil Naidu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Jayalalitha.The name of the place is derived from the temple of Narayanaswamy which is built on the hillock, surrounded by a fort.

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

As we entered the town, we passed through the main road which houses several shops. We parked our bike and walked towards the Yoga Narasimha Temple on top of the hill. A cool breeze welcome us at the summit, instantaneously rejuvenating the body and mind. The view from the top is breathtaking with  many more shrines and ponds are located in the town. 

Yoga Narasimha Swamy

As we entered the town, we passed through the main road which houses several small shops. We parked our car and walked towards the famous Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple. This temple is several centuries old — it enjoyed the patronage of all the kings w...

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sacred-serene-708131.html

s we entered the town, we passed through the main road which houses several small shops. We parked our car and walked towards the famous Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple.

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sacred-serene-708131.html

s we entered the town, we passed through the main road which houses several small shops. We parked our car and walked towards the famous Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple.

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sacred-serene-708131.html

As we entered the town, we passed through the main road which houses several small shops. We parked our car and walked towards the famous Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple. This temple is several centuries old — it enjoyed the patronage of all the kings w...

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sacred-serene-708131.html

We walked past typical village houses and got our glimpse of the beautiful temple pond or Kalyani. This amazing man-made pond is an architectural marvel. It is a sight to behold and one can spend any amount of times sitting on the steps, watching the water below and the open skies above. It was constructed as a bathing area for pilgrims visiting the temple town of Melukote. We took photos and remembered where the scenic beauty of Kalyani with the mantapas, pillars and steps leading to the pond has been beautifully captured in many movies.

Melukote Kalyani

After the short but fulfilling stop at the pond, we then proceeded towards the famous Cheluvanaryana Swamy Temple. The temple is located at the center of Melukote and presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu in the form of Cheluvanarayana, cheluva meaning beautiful in Kannada. The kings of  Mysuru kingdom have presented the temple with jewels, crowns and gems in large quantities. These precious items are brought every year to the temple during the celebrations of Vairamudi festival (March /April) to beautiful the images of Lord Cheluvanaryana and decorate the temple complex.

Early in the 12th century, the great Srivaishnava saint Ramanujacharya took up his residence and lived in this location of about 14 years. It thus became a prominent center of Srivaishnavism. Large number of Iyengar Brahmins migrated and settled in the region, forming the Mandyam Iyengar community. Thus began the growth of cultural riches through temples, learning and institutions.

Raya Gopura

There are other shrines, like Raya Gopura  and Akka-Thangi Kola -  a few meters walk from the temple. Roya Gopura is a temple built by the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana.  Once the Marathas grew in stature during 14th Century, they kept attacking different regions of the South and during these attacks, they plundered Melukote many times, including its temples. Due to this, Raya Gopura remains a ruined structure and has been captured in many Indian Films like Guru (Abhishek - Aishwarya Bachan starrer)  and Thalapathy ( Rajini Starrer).

And then came the darkest day (November 10th, 1790 – the day of Naraka Chaturdasi or Deepavali) in the history of Melukote when Tipu Sultan slaughtered more than 800 Mandyan Iyengars for secretly working with the East India Company to dethrone him. Till date, the people of Melukote mourn this event by not celebrating Deepavali. Melukote is a combination of all these hundreds of years of history, architecture, culture and rustic charm.

Another view point, 1 kms from Akka-Thangi Kola is the Dhanush Kote. As per the local people , it is believed during Ramayana, Sri Rama and Sita Devi had stayed at this spot sometime during their exile period of 14 years. One day, when Sita felt thirsty and informed Rama, as there were no water sources nearby its believed Rama shot an arrow through the rock side and water gushed in which filled the thirst of  Sita.

Dhanush Kote Hill - Water Point

Being a small town, there aren't any fancy restaurants or wide range of cuisine on offer. However, you will find a number of small mess through the town that offer you immense warmth and food that tastes like the one at your home. While you are in town, you must get yourself some delectable puliyogare served with home-made pickle and buttermilk, the most famous dish here.You can buy Puliyogare gojju from any Iyengar shop which can be mixed with rice to prepare a quick snack at home.

A perfect day fulfilled with right ingredients, which has a bit of history, some culture, good food, a rustic environment and most importantly, the promise made to Chimps to take on her a roadtrip.

" A promise is a cloud, fulfillment is rain."