Thursday, March 17, 2011

Mysore and around Part 15- Melkote Cheluvanarayana Perumal Temple





Date of Visit :  Feb-2011

Melkote is at about 50kms from Mysore. There are two ancient temples in this sacred village (town?).
The first one is Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple. This post is about this temple. There is another for Narasimhaswamy on a hill about which I will write a separate Post.

Melkote aka Thirunarayanapuram is one of the most famouse Vaishnavite pilgrim centers in Karnataka.

Early in 12th century, the great Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya took up his residence and lived here for about 14 years . It thus became a prominent centre of the Srivaishnava sect of Brahmins, who obtained from the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, who had become a follower of the Acharya, an assignment of the fertile tracts of land in the neighbourhood, especially of the Ashta Gramas, on either bank of the Cauvery.

More about this place can be read from Wikipedia.











This electric Drum-cum-Bell makes such a beautiful music..and adds to the grandeur..


Come let's get into the temple...

Inner Praharam(Walk-about)
The walls ..need repainting..





Exquisite sculpting on the pillars

God Idol will be carried on this during festivities

Pillar - carvings



It feels great to take a walk around inside in this pathway



A Well placed Well inside the temple









This awesome temple is surrounded by beautiful and treditional houses and buildings..!

Some mutt .. I guess







Broken hands .. all over here as well....Handwork of Invaders..!










During festivals..Fully painted..this chariot will be a sight on the streets..!


<< PREV              << FIRST>>                 NEXT >&gt;


12 comments:

  1. Astonishing captures! I do so love the pale yellow colors against the intensely blue skies! And such fascinating history as always! Thank you, Sridharan, for the lovely evening tour of your beautiful country! Have a wonderful day!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful shots of the temple. The pillars are carved beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There are 108 pillars in the temple ,each one is unique . Great pics.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful... The carvings are so intricate!!
    Loved the well... Thanks for this amazing virtual tour.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great captures. I want to see this place in real. Hope it will happen soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks TGS, I didn't realize there would be 108 pillars..news to me..!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Arti.. Melkote is an amazing place, I would love to stay there a couple of days ..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Indrani..It is a lovely place set amidst nature. You will like it for sure..!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pillars have beautiful carvings. I like the lady ,one with the holding something a like a fan in hand,sharp and clear features.

    ReplyDelete
  10. As TGS pointed out in his comments, there are many such unique carvings.. Thanks for stopping by Chitra.!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are more important to me than even my post..! I appreciate your time & Thank you..