A trip from Mysore to Melkote takes one to the land graced by Sri Ramanuja or Ramanucharya. Melkote, also known as Tirunarayanapuram gained the status of pilgrimage for the followers of the Ramanuja, the South Indian Vaishnava saint, preacher, and philosopher. Situated at about 50 km from the city of Mysore, it is a temple town cocooned in between ancient rock formations. Melkote became religiously and culturally important from 12 th century AD when Ramanuja spend around 12 precious years of his life in Melkote.

A trip from Mysore to Melkote takes one to the land graced by Sri Ramanuja or Ramanucharya. Melkote, also known as Tirunarayanapuram gained the status of pilgrimage for the followers of the Ramanuja, the South Indian Vaishnava saint, preacher, and philosopher. Situated at about 50 km from the city of Mysore, it is a temple town cocooned in between ancient rock formations. Melkote became religiously and culturally important from 12 th century AD when Ramanuja spend around 12 precious years of his life in Melkote. The Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple and the Yoganarasimhaswamy temple overlooks the town of Melkote and it is around these temples that the pilgrimage is centered. Melkote near Mysore experiences visitors all year round but the pilgrimage is spilled by people especially during the Vairamundi Brahmotsavam festival that takes place in the months of March and April. Teppostsava and the Tirunakshtram or birthday celebrations of the associated saints of Melkote are other major festivals in Melkote.

The temples also incorporate the Angamani festival which is basically a folk festival but this mingling allows the temple to be a part of the folk culture too. Melkote is home to the oldest Sanskrit Pathshala or Sanskrit school in India dating back to 1853 situated within the temple premises. The school is still in operation and provides education in Sanskrit and Indian philosophy thus retaining the traditional and cultural heritage of the place. The old-world charm still lives in Melkote and a trip from Mysore to Melkote is one of the most nostalgic excursions from Mysore.

 

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