Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple - Melukote

 

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is located at Melukote in Pandavapura taluk in Mandya district in the state of Karnataka.

Here Lord Narasimha Swamy is in a seated posture.

Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu.

This temple stands atop a hill at a height of 1777 meters above sea level.

There is oldest Sanskrit Pathasala in this temple premises that dates back to 1853

Melukote is also praised as Badrinath of South India.

The temple Pushkarini is called Kalyani

Saint Ramanujacharya came here and settled for 12 years.

Lord Rama, Sri Krishna, and Balarama Worshipped here at different timezones.

This temple has references in various scriptures like Ishwara Samhita, Naradiya Purana,  Kashi Mahatmya, and Matsya Purana.

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is facing east direction and has a 2 square sanctum. The entrance Gopura is the highest one and is visible to far places, while the main sanctum Gopura is newly constructed and visible only upon entering the temple. The Raja Gopura in this image is the actual temple entry constructed by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. This place has carvings of a temple, an elephant, and the statue of Yoga Narasimha on one of the granite pillars. The intricate carvings on the pillars and the overall structure of the temple offer a glimpse into the architectural style of the bygone era and the inner sanctums are supported with plain stone pillars.

Ramanujacharya, a Sri Vaishnava saint, arrived in Melukote and lived there for 12 years. The temple attained popularity as a Vaishnavite shrine during this time, and Sri Ramanujacharya offered prayers to the deity. It is believed that Rama, Krishna, and Balarama all performed worship here at various times. An outstanding devotee of the Lord named Prahlada meditated on Lord Narasimha on this peak during the Satya Yuga, and it was from this hill that he derived the deity of Yoga Narasimha. It is said that Prahlada himself placed the image of Yoga Narasimha at Melkote. Several Vedic texts, including the Ishwara Samhita, Naradiya Purana, Kashi Mahatmya, and Matsya Purana, explain the significance of Melkote in terms of religion.

The Hoysala Kings constructed this temple in the 12th century. 

Temple Timings :

9.30 am to 1.30 pm

5.30 pm to 8.00 pm

Pooja Schedule :

9.00 am to 10.00 am – Nithya Katle

10.00 am to 11.00 am – Abhishekam

How to reach the Temple

150 km from Bengaluru

40 km from Mandya

50 km from Mysore

Nearby Temples

Melkote CheluvanarayanaSwamy Temple – 1 km

Krishnarajpet, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple – 26 km

Nagamangala, SoumyaKesava Swamy Temple – 29 kms

Kannambadi, Sri venugopala Swamy Temple – 34 kms

Sri Rangapatna, Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple – 37 kms.