This weekend we went to visit Melukote, a sleepy small town 200 odd kilometers from Bangalore in the Mandya district of Karnataka.
This town is famous for its rock structures and two temples. One being the Yoganarasimha temple on top of a hill and the other the Tirunarayana temple in the town. There is also a Kalyani ( a square temple pond) which is very large with rock pillars and carvings on all four sides. There is also a grand rock structure which looks like it would be made for havans and large scale pujas.
The temple on the hill top has a grand gopuram and again is completely worked in rock. Each step leading up to the temple are quite high and many in number. The prasadam served at the temple is Puliogere which is also considered to be the delicacy of the town.
Following the temple visit, we proceeded to the Raya Gopura which is also a rock structure but partially finished. It is said to have been constructed in one night. On seeing the structure, I would say it can be assembled alright in one night. Each piece could have been carved and finished before being brought here for the final assembly.
Here are some pictures
The kalyani
Large rock structure like a mandapam
Yoganarasimha temple on the hill top
The steps leading up to the temple
The temple gopuram
Pillar Carvings
Raya Gopura
A interesting coloured lizard we found at the Raya Gopura
