Melukote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, in southern India, is one of the sacred places in Karnataka.It is built on rocky hills, known as Yadugiri, Yaadavagiri or Yadushaila, overlooking the Cauvery valley.

[3] Early in the 12th century, the famous Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who hailed from present dayTamil Nadu, stayed at Melukote for about 12 years.

The principal temple is a square building of large dimensions but very plain, dedicated to Lord Cheluva-Narayana Swamy or Thirunarayana.

The utsavamurthi, which is a metallic image, represents the deity who is called Shelvapillai, Cheluva Raya and Cheluvanarayana Swamy, whose original name appears to have been Ramapriya (meaning "Rama's Favourite").

It is believed that this utsavamurthi belonged to and was worshipped by Lord Rama and the kings of the surya vamsa Dynasty for generations.

As early as 1614, Maharaja Raja Wodeyar I (1578–1617) of Mysore, who first acquired Srirangapatna and adopted the Srivaishnava faith, granted to the temple, and to the Brahmins at Melkote as custodians of the deity, the large and valuable estate (fiefdom) granted to him by Vijaynagar emperor Venkatapati Raya.

Jatra (chariot festival, when the utsava murthy of the deity is taken in procession through the streets of the town) is held annually during March–April and more than one lakh people congregate for this occasion.

Since his father, the demon Hiranyakashipu was killed by Nrsimha, Prahlad was advised by his elders to do penance, so that “Pitra-dosha” does not affect him.

The marking on the deity of vadakalai which was stolen, and courts ordered to replace them with a single orange line.

One of the songs of Hindi Block-buster film Damini featuring Rishi Kapoor and Minakshi Sheshadri has been shot at here in Melukote Temple.

An old library founded in 1935, contains large number of Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu books and manuscripts.

Other mammals found in this sanctuary include the jungle cat, leopard, bonnet macaque, langur and pangolin.

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary has been known for its once abundant Cycas circinalis species,[7] which in the recent time has been over exploited by the flower decorators and local doctors.

There is a vast forest land near this place and a wild life sanctuary was opened on 17 June 1974, to protect the species like wolves and black buck which are plenty in the area.

The festival is named for the legendary diamond studded crown, the Vaira Mudi,[12] which the Lord only wears during this procession.

According to Hindu legends, Vairamudi, the diamond crown, was stolen from Lord Narayana, when he was asleep at his abode in the Ksheera Sagara (Milky Ocean), by Virochana.

Garuda went after Virochana to the nether world, fought with the demon king and flew back with the crown.

The blue gem is believed to have fallen near Nachiar Koil, a temple town in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

It is tradition that not even the head priest should look at the Vaira Mudi with naked eyes until it is fitted onto the Lord.

In most years the spiritual events have been accompanied by cultural programmes, including music and dance performances, but in 2014 they were cancelled because of the upcoming election and its "model code of conduct".

Established in 1978, with further history that goes back a few centuries to the times of Ramanuja, ASR is spread over 14 acres at the southern end of Melkote, and contains schools that practice the gurukul system of Sanskrit education as well as those that teach in modern methods, libraries, halls and temples, all dedicated to the study of Sanskrit language and texts.

[15] The private library of the Yatirajaswamigalu of Melkote contains a large number of Sanskrit and Kannada works bearing on the Vishishtadvaita school of philosophy, a few works bearing on logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, ritual, architecture, Pancharatra, Dharmashastras, Grihya and Dharmasutra.

[16] There is also a Sanskrit college here named Sri Veda Vedantha Bodhini Sanskrita Mahapatashala (Govt.

Melkote has contributed many literary figures like Pu Ti Narasimhachar, Tirumalaraya, Komanduri Deshika Charyulu ( got Appreciation Certificate also from Mysore Maharaja ), Chikkupadhyaya and Devashikhamani Alasingachar.

Veda, Nalayira Divyaprabandha, Stotra and Grantha Kalakshepams are being taught in traditional families even today.