Saturday 5 October 2013

Melkote: Significance of Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple, Karnataka. Importance of Vairamudi Annual Festival in Sri ThiruNarayana Swamy Mandir

Melkote is the abode of Lord Sri Thiru Narayanan Swamy. Sri TiruNarayana Swamy Temple is located in Melkote in Pandavapura Taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka. The temple is known as "Cheluva Narayana Swamy" Temple. 

The temple town "Melkote" is also known as "Melukote", "ThiruNarayanaPuram". 

"Vairamudi" Brahmotsavam is the most important Annual festival in the temple. Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated at the top of Yadugiri hill in this temple town. 

Sri Yoga NaraShima Swamy Temple:
Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Mandir

At the top of Yadagiri hill, Sri Yoga Narasimha Temple is situated. It is about 3000 feet above from the sea level. The history said that Sri Vishu Vardhana Raju was built the temple 1000 years back. The Mysore king Sri Krishna Raja Wodeyar III presented Gold Crown to the temple. 




Significance or Importance of the Temple:
The temple is situated on the foot of the hill known as "Yadugiri", "Yadavagiri". According to the Mythology, at the end of Dwapara Yugam, Sri Yadu Maharaj worshiped the lord and hence named the hill after his name.

The unique feature of the temple is that there is a separate Sannidhi for Utsava Murthy. The main deity of the temple in Garbha Griha is known "Lord Tiru Nayayana Swamy" and the Utsava Murthy of the temple is called as Lord "Cheluva Narayana Swamy". 

This holy place is a birth place for many Vaishnava Acharyas(Priests).

Description of the Temple:
The principal temple is a square building of large dimensions but very plain, dedicated to Lord Sri TiruNarayana Swamy and Cheluva Narayana Swamy or Cheluvapille Raya. 

There is an ancient Flag Pillar(Dwajasthambam) outside the temple and other Flag pillar inside the temple. 

The temple houses a sacred pond(Pushkarani) known as "Kalyani". There are beautifully carved Mandapams  around the Pushkarani Kalyani.  

The temple town houses the oldest Sanskrit College of its kind known as " Sri Veda Vedantha Bodhini Sanskrit Maha Pathashala" and was built in 1854.

History of Sri Thirunarayana Swamy Temple:
According to the puranas, the temple was installed by Prahalad. It is believed that Viashnava Philospher and Teacher Jagadguru Sri Ramanacharyulu  performed consecration to the temple. 

Sri Dattatreya Swamy preached Vedas to his followers here. Hence this place is also known as "Vedachalam" , "Narayanadri" in olden days.

Important Festivals:
Sri Cheluva Narayana Swamy adorned
"Vairamudi"(Diamond Crown)
1) Vairamudi Festival: Vairamudi Brahmotsavam is the most important festival of the temple. It is celebrated in the Tamil month of Panguni(March/April) for 13 days. 

During the festival, on the 6th day of Brahmotsavam the utsava murthy Sri Cheluva Narayana Swamy is decorated with a Diamond Crown and procession takes place on Grauda Vahanam along with his consorts Goddess Sridevi and Bhudevi around the streets of temple town. 

During 13-day festival. Kalyanotsavam and Naga Valli Mahotsavam will be celebrated in the Holy Theertham "Kalyani" followed by Maharotsavam. The festival is eye-witnessed by nearly 4 lakh devotees every year.


Vairamudi(Vajramukuta) means "Diamond Crown" and it is not known who gave this daimond crown to the temple. 

2) Asta Theertotsavam: This festival is celebrated in the month of Karthigai(October/November)

3) Thai Punarvasu Festival: It is celebrated on the day of Makara Shukla Punarvasu(January).

4) Krishna Raja Thirunaal: This festival is celebrated for 9 days.

Sri Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 7:30am to 1:00pm
Evening: 4:00pm to 8:30pm
Mandir Contact Telephone Number: 08236-299839


How to Reach:
By Road: The temple is well connected by road from Bangalore. It is about 150km from Bangalore and 48km from Mysore. 

Rail: The nearest railway stations are Bangalore and Pandavapura, Mandya district(This station is located b/n bangalore and Mysore rail lane). The temple is about 25km from Pandavapura railway station.

Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore.

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