Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple

History

Inscriptions and tradition associate the shrine with the Hoysala and Vijayanagara periods; the hill town remains a centre of Sanskrit learning.

Karnataka tourism and Mandya district listings include Melukote among principal religious destinations.

Stories

The Idol That Called Ramanuja Beloved Son

One legend says that Ramanujacharya went to Delhi to bring back the utsava idol, which had been taken from the temple. Finding it being played with as a doll by the Sultan's daughter, he called out "Cheluva pille", beloved child, and the idol came to him.

The princess is said to have followed him to Melukote and become one with the idol, and is honoured as Bibi Nachiyar. The story is anachronistic, since the Delhi Sultanate began in the 13th century, long after Ramanuja's lifetime, and similar tales are told at Srirangam and Madurai.

Ramanuja at Melukote

Melukote stands on rocky hills called Yadugiri overlooking the Kaveri valley. The Sri Vaishnava saint Ramanujacharya lived here for a number of years in the early 12th century, and it became an important centre of Sri Vaishnavism. A Mysore Archaeological Department report, citing inscriptions, says the deity was already well known before Ramanuja's worship in December 1098.

Temple accounts say the temple was completed in 1104 with support from the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. Later the Mysore kings gave rich endowments, including the Rajamudi crown given by a Wodeyar king, and these jewelled crowns are today kept by the government and brought for an annual occasion.

Good to know

Hill climb or road to the main Cheluvanarayana sanctum

Kalyani pushkarini and temple tank views

Vairamudi festival draws large crowds (verify dates on official notices)

Getting there

Nearest airport: Bengaluru. Rail: Mandya or Pandavapura; road: Melukote hill town (~50 km from Mysuru).