TRIP TO MELKOTE & VARAHANATHA KALLAHALLI

We came to know about Kallahalli via TV9- Heegu Unte program. People, who intend to start construction of their dream house, visit Kallahalli. They bring back sand and brick and use it for hassle free construction of the house.This trip can be done in a Day. 

ATTRACTIONS IN VICINITY:

Melkote: Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple (God of Beauty); Yoganarasimha temple; Kalyani’s, Raya Gopura and Cuisine.

Kallahalli: Temple of Pralaya Varaha swami along with Bhoo Devi; Hemavathi river bank; KRS back waters.

TRIP DATE:

This trip was done on 21st of February 2013.

ROUTE: Bangalore>>>Mandya>>>Pandavapura>>>Melkote>>>Bookanakere>>>Kallahalli>>Malligere>>>Babu Rayana Koppalu>>>Mandya>>>Bangalore

TEAM:  

Nagesh, Shankar, Viju and Sandeep (Me).

JOURNEY:

           This was my 5th trip to Melkote.We started early in the morning at 6am in my car. We had breakfast in Maddur Tiffanies and proceeded towards Melkote. After crossing Mandya, on the way to Melkote one can see Lush Green Paddy and Sugar cane fields, Lakes, Channels of Cauvery River and a small Ghat section near Melkote. We reached Melkote @10.00am. Melkote is a historic temple town. There are two important shrines to visit. First we visited Cheluvanarayana swamy temple. This is a large square shaped temple constructed with boulders and stone pillars.

According to Indian mythology, in 11^th century AD Saint Ramanujacharya stayed here for about 12 to 14 years and renovated this temple. As saint stayed here more than a decade this place became an epic center of Sanskrit & Vedanta learning. There is a century old Sanskrit college and 30 year old Sanskrit Research academy.

Earlier this place was known as Yadavagiri or Tirunarayanapura. Mysore kings too had special patronage for this place. They have given 3 gold crowns studded with diamond and precious stones in their regime, Namely Vaira Mudi, Raja Mudi and Krishna raja Mudi. Every year in the month of April-May there will be a car-festival called Vaira Mudi utsava.

After visiting the temple we went straight to Ganapathi mess to taste famous Melkote cuisine i.e., Puliyogare, Sakkare Pongal and Curd Rice. The food was such mouthwatering that we ate stomach full and even took parcel for the evening.

After lunch we headed towards Akka-tangi kola (Elder-Younger Sisters pond). As per mythology, the water of bigger pond, Akkana kola was sour-salty and that of Tangi kola was sweet. We did not taste the water, as the water was filthy due to improper maintenance.

We preceded further and visited Raya Gopura which has history of more than a Millennium. Legend behind this is that the famous sculptor Amara Shilpi Jakkannachari challenged his rivals to build entrance to Melkote in a night. His rivals cheated him by sounding the gong just past midnight, actually supposed to sound at morning 5am. 

Even today the monument looks unfinished but interesting and ravaged by time. This is also a famous film shooting spot. Many Movies were shot here. Rajinikanth’s Padayappa is one of them. One can climb to top of Raya Gopura and can have a glimpse of Yoga Narasimha swamy temple.

Later we visited Yoga narasimha swamy temple. One should climb more than 300 steps to reach the shrine. It will take 20-30 minutes to climb the steps. It is believed that the sculpture of Yoga Narasimha swamy was installed by Bhakta Prahalada himself. Beware of Macaque Monkeys near shrine, as they try to steal food and puja items. 

The view of the landscape from top is absolutely superb. One can see Pancha Kalyani, Bhuvaneshwari mantapa, Raya Gopura, Cheluvanarayana swamy temple and Agricultural lands.

Melkote also has a wildlife sanctuary specially reserved for Wolves. Also Jungle Cat, Leopard, Bonnet Macaque, Languor, Black buck and Pangolin found in this forests.

After visiting the temple we started towards Varahanatha Kallahalli. It took almost an hour and half to reach the place, as we were frequently asking for directions. We reached the place around 4 pm. The temple was under construction under the management of the Parakal Mutt which was in dilapidated condition.

According to Mythology Vishnu in his third avatar appeared as a boar and rescued Mother Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. The sculpture was installed by sage Gautama Maharishi 2 millennium ago. The temple dates back to the period of Ganga Rulers of Talakad. The temple was under Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Wodeyar regime. The Shilasana (inscription on a stone-slab) lying outside the temple was dated back to 1334 AD which was erected by Hoysala King Veeraballalla in Devanagari Lipi (script).

The 15 feet sculpture of Lord Varaha swamy seated with Bhoo Devi (Lakshmi) sitting on his Left thigh is of Black Saligrama Shile and the moorthi has Sudarshana Chakra on the back. This temple is situated on the banks of Hemavathi River and KRS back waters. Not many people aware of this place. Hence the place is calm. 

There is a makeshift temple where the daily rituals and puja for Bhoo Varahanatha Swamy is performed temporarily. We visited the temple, performed puja and spent some time on river bank, Had puliyogare, curd rice which we took parcel in Melkote and started back travelling to silicon city.

TIPS FOR TOURISTS:

          The roads gets narrow (single road) after taking deviation from Mandya till we reach back Mysore state highway 17. Be more cautious while driving as often cattle’s and people’s come on to the road.

Catch you guys soon with my next blog..........Byeeeeeee.