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Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, Melukote
Vishnu · Hill Temple of Ramanuja · Karnataka
॥ ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥
The Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple at Melukote in Karnataka crowns a rocky hill long associated with the great philosopher Ramanuja, who lived here for years and shaped its worship. Vishnu is enshrined as Cheluvanarayana, the beautiful lord, and the temple is famous for the Vairamudi festival, when the deity is adorned with a priceless diamond crown.
Ramanuja’s hill of devotion
Melukote, set on the Yadugiri hill, became a great centre of Sri Vaishnava devotion when Ramanuja, the 11th–12th-century teacher of Vishishtadvaita, made it his home for over a decade. He is said to have recovered the temple’s lost processional image and organised its worship, and the town has remained a seat of his tradition ever since.
The diamond crown of Vairamudi
The temple’s most famous festival is the Vairamudi, when the processional deity is crowned with the Vairamudi — a diamond crown of great antiquity, kept under guard and shown only on this day. Lakhs of devotees gather to see the lord wearing the jewelled crown, in one of the most spectacular festivals of the Karnataka calendar.
A temple town of tanks and steps
Melukote is laid out around its temples and sacred tanks, chief among them the Kalyani pushkarini, and the hilltop Yoga Narasimha shrine looks out over the surrounding country. The town’s old streets, stone steps and ponds give it the feel of a living pilgrimage place little changed by time.
How to reach Melukote
- By road: Melukote is about 50 km from Mysuru and 150 km from Bengaluru, off the Mysuru road near Pandavapura.
- By train: Mandya and Mysuru are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Mysuru airport is about 60 km away; Bengaluru is the larger airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is connected with Melukote temple?
The temple is closely associated with the philosopher Ramanuja, founder-teacher of the Vishishtadvaita school, who lived at Melukote for over a decade and organised the worship of Cheluvanarayana.
What is the Vairamudi festival?
The Vairamudi is the festival when the processional deity is crowned with an ancient diamond crown, kept under guard and shown only on that day, drawing lakhs of devotees.
Who is Cheluvanarayana?
Cheluvanarayana is Vishnu worshipped as the “beautiful lord” (also called Thirunarayana), the presiding deity of the Melukote hill temple.
Where is Melukote located?
Melukote is on the Yadugiri hill in Mandya district, Karnataka, about 50 km from Mysuru and 150 km from Bengaluru.
How do I reach Melukote?
Melukote is about 50 km from Mysuru off the Mysuru road near Pandavapura. Mandya and Mysuru are the nearest railheads, and Mysuru airport is about 60 km away.
What else is there to see at Melukote?
Besides the main temple, Melukote has the hilltop Yoga Narasimha shrine, the large Kalyani temple tank, and old streets and ponds that give the town an unhurried, old-world pilgrimage feel.
॥ जय श्रीमन्नारायण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Vishnu as Cheluvanarayana (Thirunarayana) |
| Associated with | The philosopher Ramanuja |
| Festival | Vairamudi (diamond crown) |
| Setting | Yadugiri hill, with the Kalyani tank |
| Nearby | Mysuru (~50 km) |
| Tradition | Sri Vaishnava |