Friday, March 5, 2021

MELUKOTE RE-VISITED

 Monday, 1st March 2021

Melukote




It was some years ago we visited Melukote, a small temple town, about 150 km from Bengaluru. Nalini sisters, Vijaya and Sujatha came fro Udupi to attend Vidya's pregnency celebrations at home, Birthimane, Bengaluru.



Some how, I had an idea that it is easier and faster to reach Melukote via Ramanagara, Mandya and then about 35 km. But due to metro construction and highway upgradation, Bengaluru - Mysuru road was slow with number of diversion at many places and took about 4 hours to reach Melukote.

However, we reached at 12.30 noon, after leaving home at 8.30 in the morning.






Melukote has famous CHELUVANARAYANA SWAMY TEMPLE which has beautiful architecture and is frequented by Mysuru Maharajas. It has Vaishnava Brahmins, Iyangar Community, famous for puliogare, dark deepavali as Tipu Sultan's people murdered large number of Brahmins on Deeapavali.

As there was not much crowd, we had Darshan of the deity quickly. A man called us for free prasada (oota), had rice, sambar, rasam and buttermilk. 

We also had the sight of a so called GURU, from a distance.

Next we proceeded to YOGA NARASIMHA TEMPLE, located on the top Yadgiri hills.


A shaort distance, we went by car and had to climb about 200 steps, steep, which was exhausting and challenging. However, we could make it before the closing time of 2 pm and had the darshan of the deity YOGA NARASIMHA SWAMY




The temple on the top of hill rocks, has beautiful surroundings, view around the fresh breeze. Monkeys are constant company, some are aggressive, dare to snatch food packets in the bags.




As we came down, a large lake like water reservoir, and from there to AKKA-TANGI KOLA (Elder, younger sister water tank) The tanks are beautifully surrounded by steps.



Further about 1.5 km DHANUSHKOTI , a small hill with no proper steps, walking to a place, where Rama, Sita, Lakshmana carvings are engaved on the rocks.






On the way back, we took good road via Nagamangala, Nelamangala and reached Bengaluru in two and half hours.

It was a pleasant trip, though little tiring.

posted Friday, 5th March 2021



 


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