History of Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple

The principal temple is a square building of large dimensions but very plain, dedicated to Lord Cheluva-Narayana Swamy or Tirunarayana. The utsavamurthi, which is a metallic image, representing the deity which is called Cheluvapille Raya or Cheluvanarayana Swamy whose original name appears to have been Ramapriya. According to a legend, this metallic image was lost and was recovered by Sri Ramanujacharya.

The temple has a beautiful gopura. There are shrines of Ramanuja, idols of Alwars and Yadugiriamma in the temple. The temple has rich endowments, and has the most valuable collection of jewels as it had the special patronage of the Mysore Maharajas. The Mysore King Raja Wodeyar (1578-1617 A.D.) presented a Gold Crown set with precious stones known as Rajamudi. Tipu Sultan donated a Nagari and elephant to the temple. The Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1799-1831) presented a Crown set with precious stones known as Krishnarajamudi. There is another Crown in the temple called Vairamudi. All these three crowns are used to decorate the utsavamurthy during the annual jatra usually held during March-April visited by lakhs of devotees.

Melkote is an important pilgrim center that about 51 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore. It lies in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district. According to mythology, the Melkote was known as Narayanadri, Vedadri, Yadavadri, Yathishaila and Thirunarayanapura as the temple of Narayanaswamy is built on granite rocky hill that comprises some of the oldest rock formations on earth known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. Melkote is very well known for various famous temples and a festival called Vairamudi.

It is a sacred pilgrim centre for Sri Vaishnavas. Legend has it that in the early 12th century was the time of great rivalries between Shaiva and Vaishnava sects in South India. Vaishnavas were persecuted by the Cholas, who were the rulers of Tamilnadu at that time. Sri Ramanujacharya, the leading preacher of Vaishvism had to escape from Chola rule. He was allowed to live in exile at Melkote by then Hoysala ruler Vishuvardhana. Influenced by Sri Ramanujacharya, Vishuvardhana who was Jain converted to Vaishnavism. During 14th century, defeat of Hoysala Kings against Muslim forces saw the destruction of Melkote. The town was plundered by the invaders. It was later restored during Vijayanagar rule.

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