Exploring Sri Cheluvanarayana Swami Temple in Melukote

On Jan 6th, we went to Melukote, near Srirangapatna. The first temple we visited was the Sri Cheluvanarayana Swami Temple. Since we shouldn’t miss the fog in Delhi, Perumal made sure that there was a slight fog on the drive to Melukote from Mysore.

Sthala Puranam – Sri Cheluvanarayana Swami Temple

It is believed that this temple was setup in Krita Yuga by Bhagwan Brahma. The moola (main) vigraha is Sri Cheluvanarayana and the Utsava Murti (the murti that’s taken out during processions) is Sampath Kumara, also known as Ramapriya. Thayar is Yadugiri Nachiyar. Bhagwan Ram has visited this temple alongwith his son Kush and prayed to Cheluvanarayana in Treta Yuga. Balarama, Bhagwan Krishna’s brother has come visited this temple and offered prayers in Dwapara Yuga.

Recent History

While the exact age of the temple is in 1000s of years, more recently it has been rebuilt in the 12th century by the Hoysala ruler, Vishnuvardhana. The temple underwent several renovations and expansions over the centuries, with significant contributions made by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings.

The main Sannidhi of the Melukote CheluvaNarayana temple is a beautiful example of Hoysala architecture. The presiding deity, Bhagwan Vishnu, is in a standing posture with four arms. There are several smaller Sannidhis surrounding the Garba Griha in the outer perimeter.

The Hanuman Sannidhi is a tiny one and his vigraha is also a tiny one, very beautiful though. There is a Thayar Sannidhi and also Ramanujar’s Sannidhi.

Ramanujar was the Rajaguru of the Hoysala empire for 14 years. The Hoysala emperor was a Jain called Bitti Deva who started following Ramanuja and changed his name to Vishnuvardhana. This temple was built during these 14 years.

Chella Pillai – An interesting anecdote

There were a lot of Muslim invasions during the 11th and 12th centuries and in one such “raid”, the Melukote temple was ransacked. Ramanujacharya saw in his dream that the main vigraha was lying under the rubble. The vigraha was retrieved, temple was rebuilt and Ramanujar reinstated the Vigraha.

The Muslim sultan Mohammed Shah, had taken away the metal Utsava Murti “Ramapriya” as part of his loot. Ramanujar went to his durbar to request that he return the murti. The sultan agreed and opened the room where the loot was stored. Ramanujar called out lovingly “Chella Pillai, Vaarum”, meaning “Dear child, please come”. Ramapriya bounded out of the several murtis lying there into Ramanujar’s lap.

The sultan’s daughter was very fond of the Utsava murti and refused to part with it. She followed Ramanujar back to Melukote. The minute she saw the utsava murti, she fell at his feet and died. Seeing her Bhakti towards Ramapriya, Ramanujar gave her the title of “Bibi Nachiyar”.

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The day we went, everyone was chanting the Thirupaavai as it was Margazhi still and all the pujas (saathumurai) were not completed. So we went in and got HIS darshan and walked out. We were a little hungry as we had left early from the hotel and I jokingly said that “Perumal didnt give us the famed Pongal”.

Just as we were coming out of the temple, one of the bhattars called out to us and said we should visit the Manavala Maamunivar Sannidhi, that’s right next to the temple. We walked in and he explained everything to us and gave us piping hot Pongal. Well, Cheluvanarayana wouldn’t let us go hungry 🙏🏿. It was the best Pongal I have ever had …

Note – In the late 18th century, Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, ordered the massacre of Brahmins in Mandya on Diwali day. In response, the Brahmins of Mandya fled to Melukote, where they sought refuge in the Cheluvanarayana temple. This temple became a symbol of hope and resilience for the Brahmins during this difficult time.

Om Namo Narayana 🙏🏿.

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