The Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple is a famous temple that has more religious than architectural significance.Also known as Thirunarayanapura, it is located on top of the rocky Yadugiri hills.This shrine is very ancient, though the temple complex is just around 1000 years old
Shrine’s History
This temple is very ancient. According to tradition, Lord Rama himself came here with his son Kusha and worshipped Lord Narayana here. For this reason, the professional idol, Sampath Kumara, is also known as Ramapriya. The main deity of the Shrine is Thirunarayana or Cheluvanarayana Swamy. The Devi in this temple is known as Yadugiri Nachiyar. Sri Ramanuja, the great Vaishnava Acharya, stayed in Melkote for 12 years and gained many followers, including the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana. During this time, the processional idol of this temple had been lost for some time. Realising that the idol was in the possession of the Muslim emperor in Delhi, Muhammed Shah, Sri Ramanuja decided to go there and get it back.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The temple is a square building of large dimensions but is very plain and only sparsely ornamented with carvings or sculptures. The presiding deity is Cheluva Narayana Swamy, also known as Tirunarayana or Cheluvapille Raya , a form of Lord Vishnu. It appears from inscriptions that in the early centuries after the temple was built, the Lord was also known by the name Ramapriya, but this usage has now completely disappeared. The utsavamurthi , which is a metallic idol used for processions and certain religious rituals, representing the deity which is called or Cheluvanarayana Swamy whose According to a legend, this metallic image was lost and was recovered by Sri Ramanujacharya.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Melkote is well connected by roads.
By Rail
The Nearest Railhead is Pandavapura, Mandya.
By Air
The Nearest Airport is Bangalore
Shrine Timings
Normal days Darshana Timings – 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Special Days
[Saturday, Sunday & Govt Holidays] –
7:30 AM to 1:30 PM
3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Vairamudi Utsav or Vairamudi festival March or April
Extra Information About this Shrine
During Vairamudi Seva, the processional idol, Selva Pillai or Sampath Kumara is taken out in procession wearing a Diamond Crown. This temple has an idol of Sri Ramanuja, one that he himself is believed to have created.